JP fire

Hello, I just scored on a 1996 Dodge 2500 4X4 diesel with only 30K miles. I would like to add performance since I hear this turbo motor will except quite a bit more. My question is...recomendations to what the best "bang -for-the buck" system is and if I need to worry about the tranny for this year. This is my first Diesel so I am looking for all kinds of answers. Thanks JP

dsljunkie

Welcome to the site!
First question is ... How big is your wallet . No seriously. You can go as wild or mild as you want depending on how much you have to spend .
Scott

JP fire

I was hoping to limit it too around $1000 bucks, kind of depends on if its worth it or not! Ciao JP

bulthisl

You got a stick or auto?

Fillout your sig so we can help.

Look at my sig.


I like 96's ;D


: Eddie : 8)

Jetpilot

#10 plate
3K spring kit
AFE Mega Cannon filter
South Bend OFE Clutch or DTT TC and Tranny

Just my $.02 worth

Doug

Forrest

What tranny did you get?

JP fire

Ok, sorry for the late reply, been away. I really hate to say it but I do not know what tranny is underneath. The party I bought the truck from moved away and there was no window sticker with all the "features" in the truck. The little manual does'nt say much. I will take it to a buddy and find out more.

I guess I'm looking for the right way to 'start" the process of adding performance to this truck of mine. I figure that being a 1996 I really don't have to worry about warranty issues! Thanks again for any advise. Ciao JP

hellotbone

You will have to address the transmission with an aftermarket one before adding HP or it will be on borrowed time and a short time at that. I would recommend talking with Bill K of Diesel transmission Technology or DTT for help with that trans he has an exceptional amount experience with them. The website can be found at http://www.dieseltrans.com

I have an 02 but I modded first tranny came later if I did it again and others will definately agree as they did to the transmission should have come first. Once its done it should be the last thing on your mind then.

vssman

JP,

You can get decent power out of the engine for less than $1000.00 BUT the tranny won't like it. Of course, once you do the tranny and add a plate & injectors you'll never sell it.

berner

[quote author=JP fire link=board=7;threadid=20079;start=0#msg188757 date=1064438711]
I was hoping to limit it too around $1000 bucks, kind of depends on if its worth it or not! Ciao JP
[/quote]

For under $1000 you can get a good set of gauges (pyro, trans temp and boost), a #8 plate, a 3K gov spring kit, and bump up the timing to 15 1/2 or 16. Get the KDP taken care of. I've been running this for a year and a half with no tranny problems yet. I don't drive too mental but I don't baby it either. The hardest I work it is hauling a slide-in camper with a total weight of about 9500#. If you don't tow too heavy you should be OK.

You'll be surprised at how much better your truck runs with these mild mods. Anything more will probably shred your trans in short order. A good guy to talk to is Piers Harry at Piers Diesel. (Check the links section for the #) He'll talk to you straight up.

JCamper

Berner is right on the money, except check with tst about the 8 plate. I had basically exactly what he has for a year or so with no problem either, but when I called tst to order a different plate, etc., they told me that the 8 really wasn't designed for use with the governor spring kit. It did make a big difference over stock though. Also, on the 12 valve trucks like ours, DTT recommends getting all your performance upgrades BEFORE going to see them, due to the more difficult setup requirements in our trucks. However, I think you are on the right track. If you only have 1k, you can get a lot of bang for your buck, and not really jeapordize the tranny too much as long as you don't lug it-keep it over at least 1600 rpm, drive with the overdrive off until you get over 50 or so, etc. I would service the tranny immediately too, fluid and filter change, band adjustment, etc. You will love that truck for moving that camper around! jc

berner

[quote author=JCamper link=board=7;threadid=20079;start=0#msg189731 date=1064599664]
..... but when I called tst to order a different plate, etc., they told me that the 8 really wasn't designed for use with the governor spring kit. .......
[/quote]

I've heard this before. What's the problem with it? My truck seems to run fine but maybe I'm missing something. (again : )

JCamper

He said that it backed off the fuel too early, it didn't really take advantage of the governor spring kit. I don't know, mine seemed to work good with it in there too, seemed like plenty of fuel to me, enough to get up to 1200 degrees around 3k when towing. I will say that after switching to the 10, wow. Piers recommended the 10 for towing, but I think it would kill a stock auto. Maybe if you slid it back a bit? I would ask Piers I think. jc

JP fire

Thank you one and all, great site for excellent information. My buddy turned me on to this site. I will be doing the tranny in short order then the engine. I'll keep you posted . Thanks again. JP

berner

Sorry I didn't get back sooner. Harddrive crash.

I seem to get enough fuel too. Pulls steady to 3200 RPM. I had the plate slid forward a bit and saw close to 1400* at 3000 RPM in 3rd. Slid it back and I'm down to about 1150. Miss the power but it's better than a melted piston out the tailpipe.

JP, you really need to get guages first if you're going to bomb your truck. I didn't but I lucked out not doing some damage. Besides, they look cool.