First Few mod recomendations

J

Jtmoney

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Aug 21, 2012
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Hey all, im breaking into the world of dielsel tuning, i come from late model gm cars (01ss camaro with a 408). I have a 95 ram 2500. Im looking for a couple things, where to really learn about these trucks. And where to start the mods. The truck is used for hauling hay, work on our property, and hunting, but ive always modded my cars and with this truck being smog exempt im looking to play with the stock setup for a bit, and eventually build something rad on the side.

With most platforms theres usually the "beginning" mods for any platform. So im wondering where to start so to speak and what can i get out of the stock setup without spending a ton of money. I know with most things turbo you can milk some boost and power with. Some relaltivly "free" mods to improve flow. And im assuming theres power restricted in the exhaust. Im gonna assume i need boost, and egt guages as well. What kind of power can get out of this thing for 4-5k?

Thanks for the diesel newb help,
Jeff
 
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Smog? Does thy mean your in California? 4-5k should get you plenty out of that old girl, and a little bit of what you can do depends on wether it's a manual or auto. I'm not the most knowledgable on 12v's but there's plenty of potential there. If you don't already have an upgraded lift pump (Fass/airdog, etc.) that's always a good place to start. And if you have any friends that know their way around a P-pump they should be able to make some more fuel available. An aftermarket intake wouldn't hurt, and neither would exhaust. You can probably pick up a charger a little bit bigger within your budget, but I wouldn't push too much boost to it without head studs. If you use the truck for hunting I suggest some kind of a muffler if you don't want to be heard for a half mile in every direction.

And there should be plenty of people here to help you decide which parts are the best.
 
Call Garmon's Diesel, my truck made 433rwhp for $1300, plus whatever you have to put in the transmission.
 
Where abouts in California? Your just as well off to upgrade to a bit bigger charger as to mess with your waste gate. Good possibility you'll smoke your stock turbo eventually. Is that a 5 speed or an auto?
 
x2 where in Ca are you? Hunting, hay, and property tells me not SoCal...

That write up isn't bad but I wouldn't turn the barrels till you've exhausted other methods of increased fueling such as injectors, DV's, ect.

You can increase the hp for cheaper than 4-5k, but if you want to spend that much then you can go a lot faster. A lot depends on which trans you have as everyone has been asking.

A quick short list:
- BHAF, or some sort of good quality filter. ($25?-300)
- Boost elbow to gain psi ($30)
- Grind your fuel plate to a 100 or so. you can always grind more, but cant put it back. ($ free)
plateprofiles0ny.jpg


- AFC Mods: ($ free)
AFC simplified - Competition Diesel.Com - Bringing The BEST Together

- 4" turbo back Exhaust ($300)
- 4k GSK ($80)
- 60lb Valve springs ($100)
- Gauges boost, egt, trans temp if auto, if not then 3rd is your call, I'd run a fuel pressure guage. ($200-400)
- OFV ($50)
- By this point you'll probably need trans mods.



I wouldn't worry about the airdog until atleast you have the above mods, unless you want it for future planned upgrades and just want the extra filtering.


I'm probably missing one or two of the simple and/or free mods, but I'd start with those and go from there.

Its arguable how much HP you can get out of the stock turbo, but generally 300-350hp max with sub 1200* egt, others have pushed further.
 
Good good info fellas, thanks. Forgot to mention its an auto. Im on the central coast, prunedale to be specific. Im not too worried about scaring off animals, its usually just pigs in the evenings, a few deer here and there. Trucks just a 2wd single cab long bed, but the lady wont let me touch her 08, and i miss goin fast. Wont be 530rw in an fbody fast, but its a start.
 
A auto needs built or fixed to a point to take what your gonna throw at it. The manual will just need a clutch. IMHO a stock clutch will take more power than a stock auto if driven right. The autos are just weak without being addressed.
 
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A auto needs built or fixed to a point to take what your gonna throw at it. The manual will just need a clutch. IMHO a stock clutch will take more power than a stock auto if driven right. The autos are just weak without being addressed.
Click to expand...

Agreed, it's possible to spend half your budget trying to get your auto trans to keep up with your motor. Depending on what kind of power you are looking to make. Good trans parts are pricey! Input shaft, intermediate shaft, output shaft, converter, clutch packs, valve body. A friend of mine has an almost stock 3500 and he had to break a couple input shafts before deciding to upgrade.

Best advice for a stock trans: don't drive it like you stole it.
 
As far as shafts go, the drift I'm getting from the op, all he needs is an input shaft. Input, valve body, and converter will get you farther than you think IF the rest is in good shape and you treat it properly.
 
Yes, same with the stock charger, IF it isn't about to splode already, it will last a while. But if it has had a hard life, and you "wanna go fast!" an upgrade is probably in order. Maybe an S300?
 
Meh... My stock charger on my 12v is doing fine. I don't go around barking it all the time, I leave the wastegate hooked up, and I let it cool down. It operates out of its map but hey.
I really wanna try a 63/68-14 on my vp and throw a 66 on my 12v.
 
The charger on my truck was supposed to be 63/68/14. Then supposedly it's a 64/68/14? That's what's written inside the cover anyway. Idk. . . It doesnt really matter, it works. The cool down helps keep it alive for sure, and so does the waste gate.

The 66 on the 12v sounds like a good time.
 
I have a 62 on my vp now but I want twins for it with a little smaller secondary.
The 12v really needs like a 67 to 71 on it. That and an auto swap.
 
I did not mean smaller lol. I want a 63/68-14 over an s475 or s480.
 
Oh, I thought you were talking as a single possibilty. Chit, if you're running the 62, I'd definitely run a 78 or 83-88 primary.
 
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