Got a question for ya'll. On my '96 3500, I just installed a rebuilt turbo (HX35) this weekend. It's my old turbo I had rebuilt. At the same time I installed a pyrometer and boost gauge. I have a 0 plate, and have turned the starwheel. This is a 4x4 welding truck, single cab, long wheelbase, so it's pretty heavy. I've pulled my 34' travel trailer with it, and pull Case 580 backhoes with it pretty frequently. Have also pulled a John Deere 650H dozer. That was probably the heaviest thing i've pulled. I've never had the clutch slip before, even with the dozer on it. Now, with all those loads, I had a stock plate, slid all the way forward, and felt like it had a ton of power (more than the '99 with a chip, and the '03 stock). But now, it's just amazing when you get on it. If you get on it too hard though, it'll slip the clutch (I know I'm going to have to upgrade the clutch) Any ideas on how much power this might be? I bought the truck new, and it has 78,000 miles on it. Also, I thought since it was just a stock rebuilt turbo, a 35 pound boost gauge would work... It pegs the gauge.

 

its hard to say, most stock clutches fail at 350 or less as far as HP. All in your driving! Its hard to judge power from just what youve told us, let us know some more!

 

I'll probably have more details tomorrow night, after I drive it tomorrow. I wish I had installed the gauges before I went to the 0 plate, so I could have more of an idea of the differences. I could swap a stock plate back in though, because the plate I ground is out of a junk engine I've got sitting at my shop. I do know it'll peg the boost gauge, but the pyro never got to 900, so I feel pretty comfortable with that.

On the clutch note, what is a good clutch for pulling. Not sled pulling, pulling a gooseneck trailer with a backhoe (Case 580 SL or SM, 16,000 or so, and tandem dual trailer about 5,500 pounds)?


Thanks.

 

Where is your pyro sending unit, pre-turbo or pust turbo ? 900deg sounds a little low.

 

South Bend Con OFE is a very good pulling/working clutch to 450-500 hp.

 

Again pre or post turbo on the pyro???????

 

Keep the bost around 35-36psi or you may need a rebuild soon with a broke shaft. Had a guy call me about a new turbo becous he put a #5 plate in a 97 and pluged the w/g and had no idea what boost he was making and it only lasted a week befor it came apart. It will handle a little more but over 36psi you are super heating the air and not gaining anything.

 

Valair makes good clutches, especially when you consider the cost. Their customer service is great too. Just slipped my new clutch yesterday, and Dan the man, has a replacement in the mail, free of charge, no questions asked except if I wanted to try one of his newer feramic clutches, which i of course said yes to.

 

my buddy had the same setup and he had 354rwhp

 

with a bad clutch

made 350 rwhp with this setup

100 plate 2/3 forward
AFC full forward
Starwheel at 1/2 way
16.5 degree timing
370 injectors
straight pipe
Stock clutch
stock turbo with a 14cm exhaust housing

Possibly with a good clutch i would have made 400 easy. but very toasty.. but i didnt. try, my last one i just added twins and 191s, and with more timing a glued head, and some injectors, SPS 62/14, and laser cuts id be at 600 or so.....

Rick

 

It is post-turbo, per Isspro's directions. I looked up the part number on thier website, to make sure I put it in the right place.

 

Thanks for the clutch suggestions, I also think I'm gonna swap the gears to 3.50's (it's got 4.10's) in the near future too. I had always had gas powered pickups before I bought this one, so I thought you had to have 4.10's to pull good... I found out with the '99 and '03 that this is wrong. We do use these trucks to haul backhoes, but it's not an everyday occurance. Usually if there is just a little one day job, or something like that. I've also got a '91 Peterbilt and an '80 Mack, that do the the bulk of the hauling, so it's not like these trucks are hooked to a trailer every day of the week.

 

Hey Bandit, that 99 will run much better with a drag comp box and will blow the doors off all of your other trucks in a drag race. That 03' would be a lot faster than either of your other two trucks with just a stacked chip combination.