OK, another project that I am looking at is to take a used Ram CTD and turn it into "My Vehicle". The current one was purchased with the idea that it would become my wife's and I would get something new when we were ready.

Now with all that I am learning, I am thinking I would be better off getting a used CTD and BOMBing it to my liking. So the question is which would be the best to start with? 1st, 2nd or 3rd gen? I am wanting a 4x4 and manual transmission. Outside of that, I am very open. I am looking for something I can run stacks and get some noise and smoke out of when I want to.

 

They say the best one out there is the '98 w/ the 12 valve...very easy to bomb. '98.5 is when the 24 valve came out, so don't be deceived! Also, I may be wrong on this but, the '98 doesn't have a computer controlling the engine does it? No computer = cheaper bombing! If there isn't a computer then you have the VP44 mechanical fuel pump which is pretty reliable and easy to bomb.

 

Also, if you get a 12 valve it'd be older than your wife's... You'll seem so humble that she might be sympathetic to the B-1/ B-2, 5 inch exhaust, Mach 6 EDM's, ported heads, twin BHAF intake, aluminum pistons, stoopid pump and double clutch...

They say anything manual with a 215 pump is the best... What's that, 95-98.4?

 

As I understand it goes like this

94-95 man= 160 hp pump
96-98 man = 215 hp pump

98 also has the new quad cab( back doors that open and new interior ) If your looken to bomb the 12v are the way to go. the p7100 pumps are bomb proof, you will never go wrong with one.

 

4doogie,

There are 98 12V's with the clubcab as well. Makes things pretty confusing.

 

no bud, you've got your pumps wrong. the 98 12v is the easiest to bomb and it has the newer style interior. it has the mechanical p7100 pump which has free horsepower locked in it. the 98.5's have the electronically controled VP44. anything 98 and older (maybe early 99's) and you'll have to worry about the KDP. also, for 98 and newer trucks, you'll want to look for a 53 block as i wouldn't recommend buying one.

for searching autotradar or any other site....a 98 12v will have a "D" in the 8th letter of the VIN.

how much do you want to spend? how much power do you want?

Tom

 

welder is essentially correct...I think you may have read his post in the wrong context.

You arent exactly correct either...

- 98 12V CAN have the old interior AND Clubcab (being a 98 doesnt necessarily mean that it will have the new interior OR quadcab)

- KDP is an issue until year 2000

- #53 block issues ended in early 2001

Like I said its a bit confusing.

 

Any of them are a lot of fun. 12v's are easy to modify mechanically, 24v's are easy to modify electronically. The bad part comes in deciding which is better, since both have +'s & -'s. Chances of ruining high dolar pieces with the mechanical pump aren't likely. Burning up a VP44 Electronic pump is more of a hazzard to be taken seriously.

5 spds. can have a problem with the 5th gear nut falling off. Any BOMBing = upgraded clutch. Mever heard a complaint about South Bend products there.

I absolutely love my 24valve, but will probably look for a nice 12valve someday to play with.

 

wouldn't mess with anything but a 96-98 12v 5sp...

would love to have an '02 QC 6sp truck w/ a 12v swapped in though

Forrest

 

What more could you ask for?? Maybe a couple of hot blondes in the back seat???

 

if you want smoke, an 04 isnt the way to go. These new ones dont smoke as much. With a 12v you can black out intersections at 1/4 throttle

 

how do you figure? my truck's a 98, but it was built in october or november of 97. i've never seen 98 with the older interior and the VP44 ISN'T a mechanical pump.

 

How do you determine if it is a 53 block? What is the problem with the 53 block?

Initial purchase of the truck I want to keep under 15k, if possible. BOMBing from there will go as my bonuses go... How much power? How much can I make? I probablly won't ever sled with it... I think I'll know it, when I get to it...

 

Lots of info on 53 blocks...do a search!

At 15,000, I would start with a blue book and see which year I could afford...go from there. Will be a 12 valve!

RJ

 

if you look on the left side of the block, near the front, you may see a big 53. if not, then you're ok. the 53 blocks are known to crack at one point of another. do a search, you should find some pictures.