So I am lookin' into getting a Diesel I've put together 2 pretty cool Z71s, but I'm bored with my GMC and I've always liked diesel trucks, but dunno a whole lot about them. I wanna go with a single cab, long bed 4x4 Dodge w/ a manual transmission. Since I can't afford somethin fairly new, I'm gonna go with a 94-98 12- Valve. What kind of performance upgrades are there for these trucks? I know I'll be putting a aftermarket clutch in it immediately when I get one, which is the best I just want imput on what I can do to build somethin pretty cool, so ANY information is appriciated greatly!

 

Everything is available for these trucks. Anything from turbos, delivery valves, injectors, all the way up to 16mm P7100 injection pumps. Granted that last one is pretty much for sled pullers only, it is available. Mild to wild and everything in between, you can make it what ever you like.

 

The only limit with a Cummins is your ability and the size of your wallet.

 

I agree with both these guys. You picked an excellent candidate for a first diesel truck.

As far as power goes, you can 140-150 hp in just an hour with ZERO money invested on these P7100 12v's. Then injectors, and delivery valves, and a GSK kit, and turbos, and head studs, and the list goes on and on

 

As others have said: it's hard to go wrong with a 12V!
Pretty much anything you can dream of is available for this engine (except maybe a chip!)

 

make sure its the one with the 215 pump thats what i have and love it i have a 4x4 extra cab long bed manual its awesome i just towed are 10000 pound horse trailer and it pulled it like a champ

 

My cousin and uncle both run the 12v and love them. Good milage and both are now over 400,000kms. Tranny's never been touched or pumps just waste gate in the one and regular maintainance. Front ends are weak thou thats first place i would invest my money

 

the 215 does make some awesome power, but theyre not perfect. they do retard timing at high rpms (believe its because of a notch cut on the plungers ), but that won't really hurt you till later on the HP trail.

but if you're lookin for quick power, the 215 is the way to go (96-98 12v's with a manual tranny)

 

I have a 12v cummins How do I tell if I have a 215 Pump. I have an automatic w\OD

 

You have a 180.

94-95 auto 160hp
94-95 manual 175hp
96-98 auto 180hp
96-98 manual 215hp

I believe the difference between each pump rating is injector pump cam, deliver valves, and the retarding notch on the 215 pump's plungers. Also each high hp rating has slightly bigger injectors.