OK... I picked up this bad boy last weekend. I want to "enhance" it's power. I don't want to get too crazy with it. It has an automatic transmission which is the weak link right? I was in the chat room saturday night and was told it would hold 700 ft-lbs... is that about right?

My brother has been into diesels since the beginning of the performance trend and has been giving me suggestions. I've also been doing a lot of reading lately and so far the plan is to..

4" turbo-back exhaust (tell me a good one for the first gen)
turn up the fuel screw (a little)
3200 rpm governor screw
K & N filter (maybe... let me know if there are better ones)
shift kit (what is a good kit?)

I guess the question I am trying to ask is: What are the most cost efficient mods for the first gen motor? I want to add "a moderate" amount of power, but I don't want to kill the transmission either. I also don't want to do expensive upgrades to the transmission either. I guess I am more focused on removing restrictions to free up power, improve drivability, and improve fuel economy.

This truck is not a Daily Driver for me, although I wouldn't mind it, I like having a truck after so many years of driving small imports. It is used for towing or for camping.

Interested in your opinion...

 

A few do a BHAF.

 

if your not looking to do tranny mods then just get a better filter and open the exhaust up i think that would be the safe way to go. i think that a 4" inch aluminized would work well and save you a buck.i prefer a dry filter with a pre filter over an oiled filter. has the tranny ever been rebuilt if not how many miles are on the stock tranny. gauges are never a bad investment. a pyro,trans temp and boost guage if you start to turn up the pump.

 

It's got 123,000 miles.. and yeah my brother told me he wouldn't turn it up until I got at least an EGT gauge for it.

 

Gauges First !

 

I hear good things about the 3200 rpm governor spring.

 

I'd do a BHAF and a 3200 spring first you can usually go to the collar on the fuel screw without worries. If you're gonna spend some money, I'd go for a torque converter and shift kit before the exhaust or any other costly mods. When you do the exhaust, Stans Headers makes an affordable kit.

 

What year of truck is it??

 

It's a '92

What is this fuel pin I keep hearing about? It gives you 24 horsepower or something like that.

 

phoenix hard parts.com for the torque converter and shift kit, get 4 disc w/extra low stall, and trans-go shift kit,{if need be they can build you a hot rod tranny, very inexpensively, w/ warranty }
strait pipe the exhust for now untill you upgrade the turbo,
big honkin air filter baldwin part number - PA2820 {half price of the napa one}
and check out dieselpower.com and click on project rust bucket for turning up the rotary pump and replacing the fuel screw and govenor spring for about $40.00 there ya go bro