hi, i'm new to cummins power and love it so far. my question is do any of u guys have ideas on some upgrades that will slightly help my performance but wont burn up my tranny. i've got a 1998 3500 4x4 12v auto with 150,000 miles on it. the tranny is relatively new. it has about 40,000 miles on it and it is a stock dodge rebuilt one. it has a lock up tc switch and open 5 inch exhaust. been reading up and was thinking about getting the 3k gsk kit. it tends to peter out at about 2400 rpm. also, had the air intake hose off while taking the oil filter off and noticed that the fins in the turbo spun little slow (didn't spin real free) and there was a small amount of play (up and down, side to side) in the fins. i'm not looking to get real radical or real expensive. shooting for 275-300 hp and 650-700 ft/lbs of torque. my truck is a work truck. i pull my dozer and other farm equipment with it. not looking to set any new 1/4 mile records just want it to pull better. thanks for any suggestions or help.

 

Well I can't say that I have the best news for you. The stock transmissions just won't take 300 horse even unloaded, as I found out. My transmission is upgraded now, with high emergy bands and clutches, a billet converter, shift kit and high pressure solenoid. It seems to be working quite well, and I think I'm just over the 300 mark with my stock injectors. I'll have to keep some
updates on how it handles injectors and water/meth once I can afford them. As far as performance mods right now, i'd invest in gauges (trans temp/ pyrometer) and just move the stock fuel plate full forward. It's not going to be a rocket, but you'll appreciate the power gain.

 

, won't be a rocket till you can get a converter to hold it.

Otherwise, 4k gsk is 100 bucks, and is the best bang for your buck you can get. And it won't hurt your trans at all!

 

if you're getting 3k or 4k GSK get at least 60lbs valve springs as well...

but with a AUTO tranny you can put in a #100 plate and slide it 1/2 way forward..

it WILL hold up...

Cranking the starwheel might help a little, but i'm not sure if your tranny will hold up to it for very long...

best bet would be to get a upgraded tranny and you can make it an awesome hauler !

 

get a 3k GSK kit,cold air intake system,ats cyclone injector tips,4:10 gears,stage 1 water/meth kit, this is a lil costly but itd be a good idea & get a triple disc torque covertor

 

Don't need a triple disc if you are staying under 500hp, or not going to to locked shifts.

Might as well do a 4k GSK since you have it out, and do valve springs.
Don't get just nozzles, might as well call contagious diesel or SDX and get some injectors set up right.
Don't bother with cold air intake, just get a BHAF from napa or somewhere for 30-50 bucks.
Tune the AFC, do whatever you want to it. It won't add hp, just change when the turbo lights.

 

I was under the impression that lighting the turbo sooner would burn up discs ???

 

Not really, it's still only capable of making so much power, it's just how early it makes it. I suppose it you can get it to light real early it would produce a little more torque, but I wouldn't say it's enough to fry the TC.