I picked up a 95 3500 yesterday and of course want to kick it up a bit.

I don't want to get crazy with this truck (unlike my 98). I don't plan on putting guages on it. Want to keep it fairly cheap (under $250)

Was thinking doing a 3000 or 4000 gov spring kit and maybe kick up the timing a bit. Don't know a whole lot about 12v mods, so am I on the right track?

I have noticied that it has a bit of stumble when the engine is brought up from idle to WOT, worse when the motor hasn't fully warmed up (smoke alot then too)... ideas on what's going on with that?

 

Well if you want to keep it under 250$, grab yourself a fuel plate and boost elbow for 30$ and a gsk. If you can do timing yourself, by all means go ahead and do that. Tuner your afc (its free minus the $1 washer you might have to buy), and tune the starwheel and smoke screw for free. A bhaf intake could be had for 20-50$ used, and a straight pipe would cost you like 50$ maybe 100$ depending on your local shops. I'm assuming this is an auto? You can expect your auto to not last long doing those mods mentioned.

 

5 speed.

I will probably just block off the wastegate. I had the HX35 like that on my 98 and it would push 35psi and that was about it.

Might put a BHAF, probbaly will just swiss cheese the stock airbox though. Supports 400hp just fine.

Muffler is coming off today, it's pretty much falling off... as the tailpipe did at some point.


4k gov spring worth it? I know I'd need to put 60lb valve springs, but they are pretty cheap.

I take it fuel plate is this?
http://www.sourceautomotive.biz/shop...ins-316-3.html
How far can I go without really needing gauges?

 

Get gauges before you touch the pump. You will save money in the long run.

 

just slide the plate a little bit you should be fine, but it is a good idea to get gauges,
sliding the plate should get you 60-70 horse, get a boost elbow to increase boost

 

I was thinking more along the lines of this:
Dodge Cummins Diesel Fuel Torque Plate # 5 : eBay Motors (item 270547130328 end time Mar-21-10 14:54:30 PDT)

Blocking off the wastegate can be bad and you can overboost VERY easily. I would do teh boost elbow then tune the boost elbow to 35psi (but this can only accurately be done with a boost gauge).

The stock air box might be "good enough" to 400hp sure, but you will get a few mpg better w/ the bhaf (ask how I know this..) and the turbo will sound badass. Spend the 20-50$ and get better mileage and more power and be done with it.

Delete the muffler AND cat.. there is a lot to be had in terms of mileage and power w/ deleting the cat and muffler.

the 4k gsk doesn't NEEED 60lb springs, just BE SURE to shift by about 3200rpms. The difference between the 3k and 4k is the 4k is MUCH touchier and more responsive, but keep in mind easier to float your valves without using 60lb springs. Keep in mind 5spds are plenty touchy and responsive in the first place, you might be happy w/ only a 3kgsk

Also, when messing with the fuel like this its advisable to get a pyro in there to make sure those egt's are under control.

 

Never made a difference on my 98. Never sucked down the filter minder either.

Forgot that some of these trucks had cats too. If there is one, that is coming off as well.


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As long as I keep it mild, no need for gauges. Truck is just an old beater with lots of miles so I'm not spending too much time/money on it.

This is my other truck BTW... I'm not new to turning wrenches or Cummins engines, just haven't played around with the P pump.

 

Well if you dont want an easy 3+mpg, keep the stock air box. No bigs.

Anytime you mess with your boost, YES you need a boostgauge. Otherwise your turbo might be pushing 40+psi trying to make up for the extra fuel and you would never know it otherwise until that little hairdryer goes pop. As far as egts, start messing with fuel and yes your egts are going to go up. Another important thing to keep an eye on. Again, if you dont mind melted pistons (or the possibility of them..) dont do pyro.

 

Thanks for the laugh, I needed it this morning!

Gauges are great when you are really bumping up the juice, but if I kick it up 50-60hp, there isn't a need.

3mpg for an air filter... yeah... sure... and if I dump in a bottle of Duralube I get another 5mpg right?

 

50-60hp? What? Last I looked, a good fuel plate was worth 140hp, plus afc tuning, intake and exahust your probably looking close to 370hp and 700-750 lbs of torque. A gsk would help even more. Not quite near 50-60hp.

But whether or not you believe me on 3mpg or not, I dont really give a ****. I'm just telling you what I have personally seen out of MY trucks with that mod (bhaf or 6637). Note, I didn't say just a filter. I said an intake. The stock design on our 2nd gens is one of the WORST designs implemented. Take it or leave it.