Hey guys, I am new and not very schooled in diesel, but I have some problems that I hope you can help me with. I have a 1996 3500 4x4 dually 6.5 diesel Sierra GMC truck. I REALLY need more hp. I have put a bigger exhaust pipe and replaced the air filter and still no help. I am pulling a 3 horse trailer w/lq. The truck pulls fine on flat road, but is SLOW going uphill.I have tried to find a chip to increase HP, but it seems they only make them for 1997 models and up. Does anyone know it I can find a chip or do something else to remedy this problem. Thankx:help2:

What's a 6.1???:muahaha:

Sorry typing error, should have been 6.5 duh

Hey we all do it sometimes. Before the forum gods descend on you, read the welcome sticky and update/create a signature.:grd:

Check out the FAQ for more power alot of info there. I will tell you as everyone else here will if you haven't install gauges yet you really really need to before you start adding or increasing the power output. You will need a EGT gauge (exhaust gas temp.) and boost gauge. The more fuel you send to the motor the more power you make the hotter the EGT gets; the hotter the EGT gets the sooner you buy a new motor. It's about the same with adding boost, difference is the the bottom of the motor won't safely handle to much boost with doing some work to it. The few mods you see in my sig I've stopped my boost at 10PSI at WOT and stop giving it fuel at 1100* on the EGT gauge. BTW I can get it 1100* in about 8 or 9 seconds @ WOT. I know that got kind'a long but the more boost the more fuel you'll need, and the fuel you get the more boost you'll need... And last check out the supporting vendors I know theres chips for my 94 so there has to be one for a 96.

My 95 will see 1100F on the EGT in about 2-3 seconds empty, and I've got boost numbers up around 7-10. This is all with the stock chip. As far as a chip, the 96's had to be reflashed. There is no chip in the PCM in the 96+. Definately get the guages. Have you ever been to kennedy diesels page, one of his project trucks used a factory 99 PCM an adjustable boost controller with a #9 resistor in the PMD and an intercooler. I know his combo also has has 18:1 pistons, but the other mods and your stock 96 programming with guages should be a safe power boost.
http://www.kennedydiesel.com/photogal/pages/96_GMC_TRUCK.htm

Could be lots of things....
How hot is your engine getting under these conditions?
What temperatures are you pulling in?

Three links in signuature line below houses good info for ya. Welcome aboard!

Advance the tming in the range (tdc offset), and a reflash should do it. If you have more money to spend put an intercooler after the turbo to lower the up to 300F IAT's.

The first place to start is gauges so that you know what is going on. Now I have an inside track (we conversed via email) so I will also say that an upgrade to my exhaust is warranted as the pipes used are apparently not large and sound to be press bent. Cooling mods next and from there we can look at adding fuel or simply increasing the boost...

exhaust + gauges + cooling upgrades + reflash =:D


check out my signature, there is a BIG difference between stock and modified -fuel economy is better too.

Fuel economy came from re-flash?