I've owned my 98.5 2500 LB 4x4 NV4500 for about 6 years now. I's been a great truck, I don't think I will ever sell it, it still looks great and it's paid for.
As a former TDR member, a few years back I installed few mods in anticipation of bigger things to come. Put in FP/Boost/EGT Isspros (direct reading, pre turbo), relocated lift pump, -6 An lines all the way from the tank, boost fooler and elbow.

I am once again thinking of more HP mods. I am thinking Jammer 3's, Smarty, Summit 4" exhaust, BHAF right off the bat.

What worries me:

1) Emission (opacity) testing here in So. Nevada.
2) Smoke, I do not want to smoke on the street (I know Jammers arent that clean)
3) Reliability and driveability of the truck. I have stared at a EGT guage that goes to 900* for a few years.
4) Overall noise of the truck (I guess I'm getting old)
5) Clutch life

In regards to the clutch, I'm thinking an OFE 13" conversion, but do you have to convert the input shaft to the later larger diameter to install a SB 13"?

Thanks for any replies and advice. I know there are alot of "will my mods work" posts here. Thanks for helping a brutha out.

 

I'm almost positive that the SBC will accept your current shaft.

If you are worried about smoke, I would say get the Mach injectors.

The timing from the Smarty will help with EGTs.

 

1) Should be able to put it back to the stock SW, or better yet, half power, for emmisions.
2) You'll learn to control the extra smoke. I can drive my truck smoke free all the time, if I chose to.
3) With the mods you're choosing, I don't think any reliability will be sacrificed. Maybe if you chose a box that tapped the pump wire.
4) I can't comment on the summit exhaust, but when I had a muffler with the MBRP, it wasn't too bad. With the BHAF and the silencer ring gone, you get a nice whistle. If its too much, put the ring back in.
5) Clutch life will be much shorter. I'd expect you start slipping it once the sticks and smarty go on. The SBC 13" clutches still use the 1-1/4" input shaft, its only neccesary to upgrade to the larger shaft with the dual disk.