Cummins Diesel 101

Posted By: Copper Dart

Cummins Diesel 101 - 03/22/15 05:54 PM

To you Diesel guru's.
I purchased a '96 3500 auto with the Cummins Diesel and I would like some advise on performance up-grades. I will be using it primarily to tow a 28' enclosed car trailer with the occasional home owner run to the hardware store.
From stock, what would be the best order in minor modification to be done without greatly affecting reliability, drivability and fuel mileage? I've heard of sliding the fuel rail forward and i don't know what that means. I know next to nothing about Diesel engines so remember that when giving your answers.
What would be the mod's and in what order would you perform them in?
Thanks in advance.

Copper

Posted By: haddixj

Re: Cummins Diesel 101 - 03/22/15 06:00 PM

Google 12 valve performance paths, you will find a bunch of write ups on several forums. That is the best way to do it. Start with maintenance items first, then guages. Your weak link is the auto trans, those don't work from the factory so expect to spend $3-5k on a trans first
I have a 95 12 valve nv4500 in a 90 Ford F350 my fuel plate is slid forward and I have Bosch 250 or 275 injectors (can't remember) a long time. In this trim I 30PSI of boost and can haul 10k up a hill in 4th gear at speed.

Posted By: 3hundred

Re: Cummins Diesel 101 - 03/22/15 06:20 PM

I had a '96 Cummins auto, that's why I have my '01 six speed. Go mild on the upgrades, 300 hp should be about all a virtually stock transmission will live with.

Start here:

http://www.tstproducts.com/tstpowerkitwithoutvideowithkdpkit.aspx

Add a Transgo TFOD-HD2 shift kit and a tighter converter and call it good.

Give Mark at TST a call, he'll walk you through it all.

Robert

Posted By: dvw

Re: Cummins Diesel 101 - 03/23/15 02:02 AM

Quote:

To you Diesel guru's.
I purchased a '96 3500 auto with the Cummins Diesel and I would like some advise on performance up-grades. I will be using it primarily to tow a 28' enclosed car trailer with the occasional home owner run to the hardware store.
From stock, what would be the best order in minor modification to be done without greatly affecting reliability, drivability and fuel mileage? I've heard of sliding the fuel rail forward and i don't know what that means. I know next to nothing about Diesel engines so remember that when giving your answers.
What would be the mod's and in what order would you perform them in?
Thanks in advance.
Copper

I've had a 1995 3500 since new. When new it wouldn't pull my 26" trailer up a steep hill on the interstate over 58mph. After these mods It'll go 70+ up any hill pulling my loaded 32 tri-axle, 64 Belvedere and a slide in camper Gross weight is around 19500lbs
Get one of these

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-9L-Dodge-Cummins-Diesel-Fuel-Torque-Plate-10-10-/271797514447

And a pair of these

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PacBrake-Governor-Spring-Kit-94-98-Cummins-5-9L-12V-HP10029-/281424659884

Then cut the front of the air box open as it's opening is to small, stock filter element seems to work fine. Turn the boost to 30-35 psi. Finally have the pump timing set to 16 degrees. Depending on how far you slide the plate it will smoke some. Fuel millage will not suffer. Performance will be night and day. Mines been like this for years. 190K no issues.

Posted By: calrobb2000

Re: Cummins Diesel 101 - 03/23/15 02:15 AM

hi
yes gov springs

slide stock plate forward

install a transgo tfod-diesel shift kit

330,000 mi on my auto so far !

also a switch to lock the converter is handy an only about $10.00.

Posted By: Copper Dart

Re: Cummins Diesel 101 - 03/23/15 03:29 AM

it has a overdrive button. Is this what you mean?
How hard is it to slide the fuel plate? is that the one with the break off screw that you tap a torx bit into? i dont want to destroy the transmission with too much mods.

Posted By: 3hundred

Re: Cummins Diesel 101 - 03/23/15 03:42 AM

He means this switch, an add on.

http://www.tstproducts.com/Torque%20Converter%20Lockup%20Switch.pdf

My truck was built in November 1995, I NEVER could get a dealer to reflash my computer. I think I was the first one to bring this issue to Mark's attention, had many conversations with Mark about upgrades and transmissions.

Robert

Posted By: cdstl

Re: Cummins Diesel 101 - 03/23/15 04:51 AM

I'm new to the Cummins myself for around 3 months now. The auto trannys do not like much more power than stock. They can be upgraded though.

In my opinion, this is the Moparts of the Cummins world...

http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/

Another good one, just take your pick...

http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/forums/

Posted By: d-150

Re: Cummins Diesel 101 - 03/23/15 05:48 PM

another for tst.there website has directions sliding fuel plate,also the kdp fix

Posted By: Copper Dart

Re: Cummins Diesel 101 - 03/25/15 02:47 PM

Throttle cable frayed, is this part of a recall?

Posted By: 3hundred

Re: Cummins Diesel 101 - 03/25/15 03:02 PM

Quote:

Throttle cable frayed, is this part of a recall?

It was

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/recalls/970.htm

Robert

Posted By: Copper Dart

Re: Cummins Diesel 101 - 03/26/15 01:52 PM

Recalls expire?

Posted By: Savoy1964

Re: Cummins Diesel 101 - 03/26/15 03:02 PM

Your local dealer can tell from your vin number if all recalls have been done or not. I don't think they expire but i could be wrong.

Posted By: Copper Dart

Re: Cummins Diesel 101 - 03/30/15 07:43 PM

Correct. Recalls don't expire.
Called ma mopar and both throttle cable and headlamp switch recalls are outstanding on my vin. Parts have been expedited by ma Mopar Recall Center and I will be notified by my local Dodge truck dealer. Everything is on backorder. Some guy are selling the recall part on fleabay for upwards of $50 when it can be purchased (when in stock) from your local Dodge store for about $13.00. Hence the name "fleabay"
Thanks.