I need some advice on a project I want to do. I live in a town where it seems that every college and HS kids first truck is a shiny new CTD from momma and daddy. On the ranch I have a 92 Dodge CTD 2wd auto that is about done for, other than (you guessed it) the 5.9l CTD engine. I am toying with taking this truck and making a "sleeper" out of it. I need some advice on what would work best for the HP/Torque gains I want. I haven't really researched the 12valve as much as I have my other 3rd gen trucks and need suggestions from you guys with some experience on the 1st gen mods. Here is the details on the truck. Thanks in advance for your time and suggestions.

1992 Dodge Ram 2500 Regular cab, 2wd, Auto. Bone stock with dents in every panel and chipping paint everywhere.

 

What's the budget? The torque converter and the stock injectors are your main limitations right now.

 

Didn't really have a "budget" in mind. It will probably be an ongoing modify as I get some extra coin thing. I am kind of looking for a what to do first and then build on that over time. Rebuild/replace tranny was pretty high on my list, but thought I would get an idea of what mod I want to do and how much HP/torque they will produce before I decide on the how to go with the tranny. Thanks.

 

Let me guess, College Station?

 

Farther north, a little west, Think "Cowboy Capitial of the World"

 

If the trans is slipping you can rebuild it, if not just leave it alone and spring for a goerend converter. Get a DennyT Fuel pin for $100, do the intake and exhaust, and get a set of injectors. Those mods put me at 300rwhp in my non-intercooled Dodge. Oh, and retorque the head bolts to 115 lb-ft or 125lb-ft if you're brave-they can stretch over time. If you want a bit more, you can advance the timing, but I chose not to do that because I was running nitrous on a stock head gasket.

PS--I totally understand the sleeper thing....I've surprised a few people with my truck.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UCKQ1RLH4c

 

I used to be one of those college kids. I graduated from Tarleton in 2004. There are more Dodge diesel trucks per capita in Stephenville than any other place I have been. I still miss that town.

 

I have property about 50 miles East Southeast of Austin, just got laid off seems like a good time to head back down South, what with winter coming and all.

 

First steps: Ditch the 21 cm turbine housing, get a 16 cm or a good used HX-35. 3200 RPM spring and pump tweaking comes next, and it's free. At that point you will need to do something about the stock torque converter to put the power on the ground. Once that's taken care of you will be ready for bigger injectors, and then you will need more turbo.

 

as suggested by JQmile, get a good assessment of the shape your tranny is in. Ain't no need for making 300 hp if the sloppy TQ eats 50% or more. Might end up with a sleeper that can't wake up

 

Don't disregard the stock stuff either though, Corey Dow (or maybe it was Cole) made 330 rwhp with a stock converter on a 4200 rpm spring (converters get more efficient as rpm rises). Oh, and get gauges.

 

your getting some good advice here. i will add if you havent drove a well set-up 1st gen you will be very impressed when you start doing the right mods . as stated the stock i/c injectors will really limit you.

 

As far as sleeper. Leave the stock wheels on it. Leave the paint and trim looking stock. Put a GOOD SAMS club or some camper stickers in the rear window. Make everybody think its a grampy mobile. Then rip the wheels of at the traffic lights and leave them in shock. " WHAT WAS THAT ".

 

well, first sell the 3rd gen. Because after a few mods. You won't want to drive it anymore. That is the only thing I would add that others haven't said.

 

Welcome and your getting alot of good advice from theses guys. There is a chapter in Stephenville. A guy on here goes by rbrettctd lives up around there and has seems have some good knowledge on these ole trucks. Contact him and maybe join the chapter up there. I live down south but was raised up about 25 miles from Stephenville. Good luck with your ole ride.