:help: I have finally narrowed down what mods I want to do on my truck first and would like to hear imput from others who put in the same mods. Just looking for where you got are you happy with it and how did it effect your truck - realize that I am pulling a large horse trailer and I don't want it to be really loud just powerful. Thanks

4" exhaust - This has been a back and forth thought - Some tell me that the 4" doesn't offer that much difference from a 3-3-1/2" with a bigger downpipe - but I also read that a 3" straight pipe is equivalant to a 4" bent pipe (in my area you have to have them bend no straights) I am also waiting to hear back from Banks to see how much their Stinger system is - anyone have one of those


Air Filter - Get rid of the box and putting in a open filter - more intake

Cooling upgrade - Need to keep her cool which how easy are they to install and are all the companies pumps about the same.

Fan Clutch - How different is one companies from another.

And of course guages - Turbo Temp and Tranny are most needed.

Thanks for your imput

Check out my signature....thats where my stuff came from. I am very happy with everything I've done and quality of parts and service. I think all the venders have great stuff and service, just a matter of preferance. I am saving for the kennedy intercooler so I'm not biased...I belive if they are willing to support 6.5's...then I will support them. As far as banks go...I would love to have some of thier stuff...just not budget friendly as the other venders.

Go 4 in exhaust....you wont regret it.

All SS diesel supply, kennedy, Heath, etc. have excellent web sights and you should be able to find everything you need.

You are off to a good start! One thing though, do NOT get rid of the air box!!! You will just suck in hot underhood air which is very bad and will probably lead to having a major breakdown, like broken pisons and cracked heads. The best thing you can do here IMO (and the cheapest) is get yourself a good filter (AFE, Airaid, K&N, ETC) and make sure that the snorkle in the inner fender behind the airbox is gone.

A good mandrel bent 3.5" or 4" exhaust and 3" downpipe would be the next thing to do and really comes down more to cost for one over the other with a mild motor like the 6.5.

As far as guages, a Pyrometer is essential, and Tranny temp and Boost are also money well spent. The boost guage is cheap so get it too. It is a huge help in keeping an eye on how everything is working as well as a huge help in diagnosing any issues that may come up. And spend the extra money to get good guages like Autometer or Isspro etc, as the cheap ones tend to be quite inaccurate.

The cooling upgrades are also money very well spent, especially seeing as you are towing some substantial weight.

If I were you I would also look into a chip from Heath or JK. I did these mods in my 94 and it was like a totaly different truck!

Good luck and welcome to the addiction!:lol:

I have a Banks Stinger system on my truck and am happy. I don't pull anywere near the weight you do and banks is not a 4" system. I bought the system with gauges (boost, tranny, exhaust) with a pod at what I felt was a real fair price. It also comes with a K&N fiter which some say are not as good as some other manufacturers althoygh I am happy with it. I also have fan and fan clutch from Kennedy Diesel which is a great product. I will also do more cooling upgrade but am having trouble making up my mind between the 97 upgrade and the upgrade that Heath Diesel is selling. Hope some of this helps.

Also do a high capcity tranny pan, 3-4 quarts add for about $200 but you can do that later if your tranny won't stay cool enough.

Through the fender is OK as long as you get that snorkel out of there.
Do you have a raised boss on top of your upper plenum, under the turbo power cover. If yes, the cast web inside should come out.
Get the intke and exhaust opened and gauges on it and advance the timing from 3.5* factory to 8.5* performance setting (same as moving TDC offset from .5*-.7* btdc to 1.5*-1.94* btdc. Running advanced will increase power and keep it running cooler.

A deep tranny pan and an Aux. cooler w/ fan will help keep the 4L80E from heating up the ECT's.

Get your gauges first so everything can be monitored before it gets hurt.
Cooling upgrades a must before to much more towing, JK's fan and clutch should be part of the upgrade
Go 4" so you don't lose much going over the axle. I have 3" down from summit,no cat or muffler and love it.
Keep the air box without snorkel, this will be one of my next mods, awaiting down time.
Deep tranny pan and remote mounted cooler with fan to save that tranny, see other post on this one.
and really be looking at a chip and/or intercooler setup for better power and longer life

I'm running mods in my sig various vendors check FAQ thread on how to build power was way I went, Banks Stinger is what I started with pricey as a package, but they havelimited 6.5 knowledge, in retrospect I'd go with one of the other vendors you see in sigs for their exhaust/gage packages.

I'm now capable of pulling 18K GN trailer without concern with all my mods, will be going into the engine next, phazer gears, 18:1, splayed etc. heat is a killer to 6.5 trans cooling helps keep engine cool so deep trans. pan & aux cooler are a plus even though GM towing equipped should not need aux cooler I still added it, I never yet to over 190F trans

[QUOTE=quantum mechanic]
Do you have a raised boss on top of your upper plenum, under the turbo power cover. If yes, the cast web inside should come out.
Get the intke and exhaust opened and gauges on it and advance the timing from 3.5* factory to 8.5* performance setting (same as moving TDC offset from .5*-.7* btdc to 1.5*-1.94* btdc. Running advanced will increase power and keep it running cooler.


I am sorry if I sound dumb just please bare with me because you all have helped me soo much. The Turbo Power Cover we removed but what is the raised boss on top of your upper Plenum. What is that?

And I am hoping when I show Nathan the Timing info he know what that is all about - which I am going to assume he does. If not then we'll have to ask you guys. :rolleyes:

I am sorry if I sound dumb just please bare with me because you all have helped me soo much. The Turbo Power Cover we removed but what is the raised boss on top of your upper Plenum. What is that?

And I am hoping when I show Nathan the Timing info he know what that is all about - which I am going to assume he does. If not then we'll have to ask you guys. :rolleyes:
He is saying that if you remove the upper intake plenum, there is a bunch of cast aluminum webbing on the inside that can be machined out to increase airflow into the engine. You can't see it unless you remove it. And yes, keep the plastic "turbo power" cover off!

As everybody else is saying, start with gauges, get some good readings. Then mod your intake and exhaust and go from there. As far as exhaust, I have 3.5" down to 4" all the way out. People say you don't need that big, but why not; it won't hurt a thing. Have fun.

:thankyou2

If you have an " F " engine you shouldn't have the webbing , the webbing is for the EGR valve . Niether of My " F "s ( 94 and 95 ) has it . I thought that was on " S " engines only . I hope I'm not mistaken .

If you have an " F " engine you shouldn't have the webbing , the webbing is for the EGR valve . Niether of My " F "s ( 94 and 95 ) has it . I thought that was on " S " engines only . I hope I'm not mistaken .
Not always so, Greg.
'94 and '95 F engines sometimes had the same S upper plunum "untapped" so to speak. The tale tale sign is a raised boss on the upper plenum.

Not always, my 95 F engine has the raised boss for the EGR on the outside but there is no webbing on the inside. It is possible that a previous owner removed it, but if they did, they did a very good job.

Thanks for the info , as I did not know that . I guess I got lucky with both of my " F " engines . Sorry for the mistaken Info . I was going off of my trucks . I have lots to learn , that's why I'm here .

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/quantummechanic/2004-10-17_083337_bosscutout.jpgI cut it out of my '94 F engine and I talked a relation into a '94 CC K3500 like mine and I cut it out of that F engine truck also. I've also pulled two intakes with the raised boss, one from a '99 and no webbing. It's a toss of the coin, let us know if the upper plenum comes off.