hey i currently have a 97 7.3 powerstroke but im lookin to get a 99 3500 dually with the 5.9 with an automatic behind it. what are the best modifications i can get without havin to worry too much bout the trans blowing up on me? i would like 500-600hp for now. what would be the best auto trans to get if i do end up deciding to get one?
thanks,
cody

 

500-600hp is easily possible but you won't get far on stock tranny. You'll have to build the 47re, and to start you'll need gauges and a pusher pump before anything else.

 

look at the truck and first see if it has a 53 block... for that hp a built trans with billet input and output shaft. motor head studded and o-ringed, 62/475 compound turbos and a set of ddp 200's or similar injectors, a fass pump with filters... it will make 575 or so

 

where would it say 53 at. and is that good or bad if it is a 53 block?

 

53 = on drivers side towards front of the block, shine a flashlight just above the oil pan, sometimes kind of hidden by tranny lines running to and from cooler.

 

so this seems like a good place for a first post... on my front drivers side of the block on the ram 2500 i bought today there are lots of little numbers, no 53... thats the good block right? I purchased a 2002 ram quad cab with the 24v 5.9 and 6 speed manual today. My first independent vehicle purchase actually. The dealership of course had no records for the truck (even though carfax was clean it showed they had bought and sold the same truck a few times) but i couldn't find anything visibly or mechanically wrong with it on inspection. I am upgrading from a diesel volkswagen, which i did much of my own work on so im not a stranger to diesels. I'm not interested in drastic modifications but i am VERY interested in maximal reliability and longevity, and if i make it a little faster along the way thats great too... so let me finish my rambling by asking what i should do first? a fuel pressure gauge? and what can i do cheaply to start making it more reliable right away even though i'm broke from the purchase.
Thanks in advance,
-Pat

 

Pat, you should start with a fuel pressure gauge as the stock Carter lift pump is prone to failure and fuel pressure below 5psi will kill your $1500 vp44 injection pump. After the fp gauge save some money and replace the stock lift pump with a FASS, Air Dog, or Raptor, if it hasnt already been replaced. As for longevity and durability goes you only need to make sure youre using good oil and filters and let the truck idle for 30-60 seconds, or longer if youve been rompin on it, before turning it off to let the egt cool down. I would recommend using Rotella T6, Donaldson ELF7349 oil filter, and Baldwin PF7777 fuel filter. Another good thing to use is a fuel lubricant, such as Howes, since your fuel acts as a lube for the injection pump. As for the 53 block, they are prone to cracking and usually only found in 98-99 trucks.