I have a 98 12 valve manual that is 15 degrees advanced with a 3 K kit installed. I bought a #10 plate for it and plan to install gauges. Usage is only for pulling a small boat and for possibly a slide in camper. Do I have to do anything else to it to keep the EGT's down such as get a 4 inch exhaust? What are any other effects of adding the #10 plate - what can I expect?

 

you should be fine, I would recomend that you get those guages in there pretty soon. An exhaust system would help, but is not required with just plate.

 

with my #10 plate a bit forward, my wastegate plugged and AFC mods, i could make 35 psi. temps could easily go over 1300* even with a 4" exhaust. None of this concerned me all that much till this summer when i started towing a 5K lb TT and all of this plus 100+ deg Texas heat conspired to over heat my engine after only being on the road for 30 miles or so of a 350 mile trip. So after 350 miles of driving 55mph in forth to keep water temps in check i slide my plate back to the stock position and adjusted the wastegate to open at 30PSI. Still runs hot but not overheating when towing, but not as much power when im not. So if you only tow light, dont live where it over 100* for a big chunk of the year or in high elevations you will enjoy the massive increase in power and in power band with your 3KGSK and timing. however stock tranny, auto or stick dont matter, will not hold up to the power the a #10 plate will add to a 215hp pump truck. But other than that its FRIGEN AWESOME!

 

Well said... The cooling system becomes the limiting factor. But as stated you need wastegate control with that plate if it didn't come with the boost elbow. I had the #10 just slightly ahead of stock and it made the clutch slip. But it will work well in the stock position.

 

As it says - what does the boost elbow do?

 

The elbow makes it possible to adjust the speed of the pressure signal going to the wastegate.
This allows you to build up more boost before the wastegate opens.

 

Sounds like you need some TLC given to your cooling system more than sliding the plate back. You shouldn't be anywhere near overheating with 5k in tow.

 

I think it had more to do with the fact that it was 110* in the shade that afternoon and i was trying to do 75-80MPH up and down hills slowing down and speeding up every 15 miles or so for some little town (read speed trap). Driving home that Sunday morning it was about 80* or so and temps were fine doing 65MPH in fifth. But this NAPA thermostat does open 15-20 degrees later than the stocker did and i definitely dont like that. when goes Im getting one from cummins for sure.

 

You may want to listen to Tate. I've towed many times in high heat and even in mountains and not seen gauge move above 190*. The '01 has a NAPA thermostat and it works perfect.