Finally Cummin'

RUBITANk · Dec 24, 2009

Well finally got rid of the Nissan Titan, and got me a 97 2500 dodge ram, with the cummin's in it. Got a pretty good deal on it from a dealer, it was a bank repo, and all they wanted was 5900.

It has 248 000 miles on it. It looks like they detailed the fawk out of the engine, and looks to me that the engine has either been rebuilt or repainted. The dealer couldn't tell me. It runs really well, I looked underneath and it looks like it has a couple of small leaks from oil lines, and has a small leak on the tranny, looks to be that its coming from the tranny cover pan or whatever you call it.

I went and took it up to mt rainier yesterday all the way up to paradise to play in the snow, did great didn't have a single problem.

And it did decent on gas.

I am not an expert on these engines, i mean i know a little bit, i ve been driving semi's for the past 5 years. But i am looking for advices for proper maintenance and what i should be looking at as far as upgrades, and whats a good place to buy.

From what i have been told, is that they don't make chips for these or programes, that you have to adjust everything manually, and the best first upgrade to do is the fuel plate.

Also, as far as lift kits go, let me know if you guys have a used one laying around or a new one that i can buy for a decent price.

Here are a couple of pix

<a href="http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r190/czechunit/?action=view&current=2009-12-24100429.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r190/czechunit/2009-12-24100429.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r190/czechunit/?action=view&current=2009-12-24100440.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r190/czechunit/2009-12-24100440.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r190/czechunit/?action=view&current=2009-12-24100613.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r190/czechunit/2009-12-24100613.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r190/czechunit/?action=view&current=2009-12-24100618.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r190/czechunit/2009-12-24100618.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r190/czechunit/?action=view&current=2009-12-24100624.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r190/czechunit/2009-12-24100624.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

skinny_pedal · Dec 24, 2009

That the one at Marketplace auto?

RUBITANk · Dec 24, 2009

RUBITANk · Dec 24, 2009

also, isnt it better to just run a striaght exhaust with having a turbo set up? or is it better to upgrade to a differant muffler?

zig80toy · Dec 24, 2009

Sweet truck!!:awesomework:

War-Jeeper · Dec 24, 2009

Looks identical to mine cept i got a leveling kit

First thing i would do is intake and exhaust and let the thing breath!

Then make sure your tranny can handle extra power

Then do a #10 fuel plate and 3000# governor springs

check out nwbombers.com

Money Mark · Dec 24, 2009

Sweet pictures!

The Dodge looks dreamy.......:signjerry_sign:

Lucky Jeff · Dec 24, 2009

First things to add are gauges.. Is it an auto or a manual? And straight piped trucks are annoying without twins. 4" exhaust with a good sounding muffler and you'll be happy..

Other then that, fuel plate, governor springs. And you should be happy for a little while.

skinny_pedal · Dec 24, 2009

Definetly gonna want these

http://nw-wheelers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47004

RUBITANk · Dec 25, 2009

as far as air intake goes, what are some of the better ones out there? ive been looking and there is alot!

I have been looking at gauges, i found a set from GLOWSHIFT, 3 pod gauges, boost, exhaust temp, and tranny temp for 199 for a set.

yeah, i might just do straight pipe dual exhaust then

Its an Auto tranny, i wanted a manual, but couldnt pass up the deal, once i test drove it i fell in love, it sux i am in impullsive buyer! haha

Is there anything i can do to the tranny to impove it without taking the whole thing apart and rebuilding it?

I have looked into the fuel plate, found one for 195$ shipped,

But what the hell are governor springs? and how much are they?

And also, how do you turn up the boost on the turbo?

wheelinjp · Dec 25, 2009

RUBITANk said:
as far as air intake goes, what are some of the better ones out there? ive been looking and there is alot!

I have been looking at gauges, i found a set from GLOWSHIFT, 3 pod gauges, boost, exhaust temp, and tranny temp for 199 for a set.

yeah, i might just do straight pipe dual exhaust then

Its an Auto tranny, i wanted a manual, but couldnt pass up the deal, once i test drove it i fell in love, it sux i am in impullsive buyer! haha

Is there anything i can do to the tranny to impove it without taking the whole thing apart and rebuilding it?

I have looked into the fuel plate, found one for 195$ shipped,

But what the hell are governor springs? and how much are they?

And also, how do you turn up the boost on the turbo?

Seriously get on nwbombers and start asking these questions. I would imagine you can get a fuel plate cheaper than that. I know you can have a tranny shop turn the pressure up in your tranny, helps for a while, but unless it has been gone through, 250k is beyond its normal life span. I would imagine its been rebuilt. 2in level kit gets you 35s. like jeff said get gauges than take your time and research reseach and ask questions. The nice thing is you have time, its a cummins, you are gonna have it for a while. :awesomework:

Lucky Jeff · Dec 25, 2009

by "twins" I meant twin turbo, not dual exhaust :redneck:

Boost is raised by fuel. Introduce more fuel, you get more boost (That and plugging the wastegate).

I am told by my friend out at the powershop that there is a place in Auburn making a decent converter for 650 bucks that would work well for what you're after. It does involve taking the tranny out, but it's better then blowing it and having to rebuild the whole thing.

Governor springs broaden your powerband. They make the truck much more enjoyable to drive.

And yes you can get fuel plates for cheaper. There are many different styles. I've gone through a few different ones, but will more then likely end up with something else that I like even more. It's just something you continue to tinker with over time to better suit your driving style/needs.

You'll need tranny temp, boost and EGT's. The pair of gauge Skinny_Pedal has for sale are very nice gauges. And the pod can be had for cheap.

zukkev · Dec 25, 2009

Also, check out www.thedieselgarage.com; if you search, there are ways to do your own grind on the stock fuel plate if you're comfy doing it---and 'shimming' the governor springs---both would be free upgrades that can net significant improvements!!! As $$ said, 'Dreamy' Dodge!!!:awesomework:
Oh, and FYI, is the oil leak coming from the driver front corner of the engine? If so, it may be the gear cover gasket has squished out....And I'm surprised no one mentioned making sure the KDP repair has been done!!! Lucky Jeff, shame on you!!!:fawkdancesmiley:

War-Jeeper · Dec 25, 2009

RUBITANk said:
as far as air intake goes, what are some of the better ones out there? ive been looking and there is alot!

I have been looking at gauges, i found a set from GLOWSHIFT, 3 pod gauges, boost, exhaust temp, and tranny temp for 199 for a set.

yeah, i might just do straight pipe dual exhaust then

Its an Auto tranny, i wanted a manual, but couldnt pass up the deal, once i test drove it i fell in love, it sux i am in impullsive buyer! haha

Is there anything i can do to the tranny to impove it without taking the whole thing apart and rebuilding it?

I have looked into the fuel plate, found one for 195$ shipped,

But what the hell are governor springs? and how much are they?

And also, how do you turn up the boost on the turbo?

Intake I would go AFE pro dry stage 2:awesomework: Thats what most guys are running on nw-bombers

I love my autometer guages they were spendy but the LED backlit is nice and i wanted black faced ones which were more money

Id go 4inch with at least some sort of a muffler if your gonna be towing lots otherwise there pretty noisy

Tranny i have no clue i bought a manual:flipoff:

Fuel plates you can find them cheaper sometimes but i know in the last year or so they have drastically went up in price

Governor springs go down in a part of the "fuel pump" and allow you to continue building boost and adding more fuel with RPM increase, right now your governored at 2,150 RPM and you stop getting extra fuel and boost

I put a boost elbow on mine when i did the fuel plate to bump up the boost, now istead of 3-5 running down the highway i run 8-10 just cruising and if you hop on it instead of 25 i make around 38 pounds:awesomework:

But seriously look over on nwbombers tons of info there

zukkev · Dec 25, 2009

Did you do your GSK's and plate Sam?

Lucky Jeff · Dec 25, 2009

zukkev said:
Oh, and FYI, is the oil leak coming from the driver front corner of the engine? If so, it may be the gear cover gasket has squished out....And I'm surprised no one mentioned making sure the KDP repair has been done!!! Lucky Jeff, shame on you!!!:fawkdancesmiley:

sumbitch... I've done so many that I must want to forget about that little problem.

And mine leaked between the case and the block. And the power steering pump was leaking. Both common, and both easy fixes though.

War-Jeeper · Dec 26, 2009

zukkev said:
Did you do your GSK's and plate Sam?

Yep and now my clutch hates me:haha:

zukkev · Dec 26, 2009

War-Jeeper said:
Yep and now my clutch hates me:haha:

Hehe!!! Never ends, does it!!!:haha:

Lucky Jeff · Dec 26, 2009

War-Jeeper said:
Yep and now my clutch hates me:haha:

Clutches are cheap now :redneck:.. Light duty dual disc is only 1100.. not too shabby. Although you will need to get the larger input shaft to run it.

War-Jeeper · Dec 26, 2009

zukkev said:
Hehe!!! Never ends, does it!!!:haha:

No kidding:haha:

Lucky Jeff said:
Clutches are cheap now :redneck:.. Light duty dual disc is only 1100.. not too shabby. Although you will need to get the larger input shaft to run it.

I was looking at the CON OFE south bend actually:awesomework: