I replaced my 93 engine with this 97, I rebuilt it with brand new head, .20 marine head gasket, ARP head studs, HD valve springs all around, PDR 4000rpm spring kit, Fluid Dampner, 370 Marine injectors, #8 plate, ATS Manifold/Ceramic coated and a HTB2 turbo. I think my timing is around 18.5*. This engine is way louder then the 93 was, Is it because of the timing being so high? Its runs real well except it is hard to start cold but once warmed up it starts just fine.

 

Yep
They bang pretty good when you push the timing up

 

Aint it great??.....

 

LOL Not really, I spent hundreds of dollars to make the cab nice and quiet and I think its louder now So how much power will I lose if I take it down to say 17*

 

Set it at 16 degrees and youll be happy

 

yeah, w/ the marine injectors, I'd bring it down to 16 maybe 16.5*

mine sounds great at 18.5* w/ the DDP4's. I've considered getting some EDM's w/ a tighter pattern so I can run 20+ and still be clean.

I'm surprised it's hard to start... perhaps you're just used to the instant start of a VE pumped engine?

 

The hard starting could be the high timing. I accidentally set mine at about 20* once and it had to crank for about 5 seconds before it would start on a nice warm spring day. It really made a lot of noise as well. I brought it back to 16.5* and it quieted down some and starts a lot easier now.

 

mine lights off with maybe one revolution of the crank... but if he's used to a VE pump, it may seem like it takes a sec... those VE's light INSTANTLY!

 

No when its cold (45*) I have to crank like 20 seconds or more, After warm up it lights right off. I would like to get better injectors but when i built the engine I didnt have injector fund and these were in the engine already. What is a good all around injector that will give me 450 RWHP with the other mods i have?

 

Are you sure you dont have a small air leak in the fuel lines somewhere?
The symptoms you speak of really sound like a pinhole leak that would show no signs of fuel leaking but allow pressure to bleed off after sitting for awhile.

 

your timing will effect your starting but lowering your timing your truck will run a little hotter you can make 450 on that motor with stock injectors I would make sure your your grid heater is working

 

I am getting high EGTs already and getting surge from the HTB2 which I dont understand. After I run it some more and retorque the head studs I will check timing for sure. I know the grid heater is working but I am thinking I need a second battery.

After how many miles should I retorque the HS?

 

definately re-check the timing... you might be a lot higher than you think!

mine will light almost instantly down to freezing... it'll romp a little if I don't cycle the grids completely, but it still lights off quickly