Well to start with, I have a 97 cummins 2500 and im thinkin bout building her up. First off, the truck is gonna be used for farming, daily driving (short and long distances) and maybe some sled pulls. Second, the power range im wanting is 550-600hp. Now some questions, could I go back with a stock rebuild like but just upgrade the headgasket and headstuds or would I have to upgrade the pistons and all since its running hotter? And also could I reuse the cam and tappets if they are not worn too much? I really can't think of anything else to ask unless im tearing it down ananother question I've wanted to ask is, how hard is it to do a back yard rebuild? I do have tools but what specials tools to you need? I already have a timeing kit and a barring tool. Im guessen ill have to buy a bearing punch and not really sure what else I need. Here are some mode I have now,a 300hp pump from be (far as I know the dv's has not been messed with) it has a custom #10plate fuel plate, injectors from sdx (stage 3), stage 2 air box, boost elbow, airdog 150 im thinkin that's it. but my mod list is headgasket, studs, 3piece manifold,valve breathers, new oil pan + gasket. Im either thinkin twins or a big single turbo but I don't knkw what's better with spool and fuel milage + towing. Maybe a bigger cam if the old one us worn. But other then that im open for ideas and suggestions!!

 

No hits or any licks?

 

I doubt you will need pistons at all as long as the stockers are good. how many miles you got on it? looks like you got a good idea of what you want for power and mods. I know when I went into my motor I did a cam since I was in there and what not. for a good easy quicker spooling set-up I would say twins if you got the money and time to set them up. If you have the motor all apart I would say have you head checked for cracks and stuff. Personally its worth the time the 12v heads can get small cracks mine had them around the valve seats ended up having to replace it later down the road after the rebuild.

Hope that helps some.

 

I have highlighted what I will comment on.
1. 300hp pump huh? pleeeeaasse explain
2. No sense really in the manifold. For what your wanting anyhow.
3. Fuel mileage is by your right foot. Spool, twins win everytime.

A cam will help spool up, a litte fuel mileage, and drop your egts some. You have the injectors to fuel to that horsepower. I would add some valve springs and 4ks to the list. a 62mm single will get you what you want by all means. It is biased on some peoples opinions on what to run to keep heat and smoke down whether it is big injectors and small DV's or the other way around. The injectors are plenty to get you there and then after we discover what your pump is we can see what DV's you have.

We will start there.

 

Sorry about he pump info, but what I mean by a 300hp pump is, when my old pump took a crap. I ordered a pump from BD they tweaked it alittle. Im thinking the only thing they did was turn the barrels and plungers over some but they really couldn't say. And I also thought bout dv's too.

And the mileage is roughly 225,000.

 

Well I dont know how to decode BD's 300hp pump so I have no idea.

 

I wish I could give you more info but that's all I got.