Austin K

Im looking to get a 5 speed 12 valve. It seems to be really hard to find what im looking for around here(Pennsylvania). I was hoping to find a 96-98 but i cant seem to find one... i do however have the opportunity to buy a 94' 5 speed, less than 100k miles and taken care of. I know the 94/95s have 175 hp stock and the 96/98 have 215. Should i hold out and wait for a 215hp truck or does the starting hp not make that much of a difference in HP potential once modded? Also is there anything about the older 2nd gens that I should know(like problems they had that the 96/98 ones didnt?)

Thanks for the help.
Austin

C Schomer

The 215s have considerably more potential (350 hp or more) with stock fueling components but the turbine housing is a bit of a bottleneck. The 96-98.5 5 spds have Dana 80 diff. 97-98.5 has hydroboost brakes. I'm glad I have a 97 5 spd - the 98s don't have any better mechanicals, as far as I know. Craig

Austin K

So basically i should hold off for a 97 or 98. Thanks for the input.

Austin

C Schomer

I haven't driven a 96 so I don't know if the vac boost brakes are a big problem or not. All I can remember reading about, is vacuum pump/leak related problems concerning the brakes. It sure would be nice to have a 215. The KDP can be fixed cheap, the 5th gear problem not so cheap and the only other problem that really needed to be addressed was the narrow power band and wide gear splits with my 3.54s. The $135 3K kit fixed that! Craig

mkrenn

I had a 96. Sold it to my cous. He loves it.
One other problem I had with mine, the dowel pin behind the front cover. They have an upgraded one to install. If you catch it in time!
I put a newer 5 speed in it also.
It now has over 250,000 on it and still runs like a raped ape!