Is this possible? Im looking into a '94-'98 12V for a play truck with this power rating, but is it possible to tow with this kind of power as well and keep the egts manegable? I have an idea as to what I need for 500 ponies, but to keep them temps under control while towing is my question.

TIA.

 

How much are you towing?

When I had 500hp (now over 600) I towed a little with it (other cars and a 6x14 trailer). I really didn't like towing with that because of EGTs. I have 3:55s and it might be better with 4:10s.

 

I doubt you'll be able to do that with a 12v. 12v's get real hot real quick at that power level. But if you wanna do it then I suggest lots of air flow mods. Twins, cam, and ported head. Not to mention I'd look into water/meth injection. How much weight are you going to be towing and over what kinda terrain?

 

If you want to USE 500hp while towing like BigBlue said you'll need lots of airflow improvements, you might not need the cam but to have it would deffinately be better. If you want 500 and be able to tow as well use a valet switch, that can lower you down by 100hp or so and make towing a heck of alot easier. And also like everyone else said it will depend on what your going to be towing...

 

I tow everyday with mine using the valet switch. even before i put twins on the only time it really got hot was lugging uphill during the summer heat.

 

Hate to contradict ya blue

but IT CAN be done... I did it, and towing 20K with it was no problem, Now had I a single it cant be done, but with twins, 16.5 degrees of timing, and just letting the truck go on its own, the egts were managable, saw 1300 degrees for a bit, but soon as the 400 lit, it came right back down, was cruisin at 70 mph with 20K at about 850-900 degrees, the main thing was i was taking it easy... let the truck get there by itself at its own pace, and really wind out those gears, a manual trans helps...

With a valet switch, or backin off the plate, starwheel, and AFC it can be done, and im right over 500 horses, not by much tho... I dont have a ported head, nor a cam, although i do want both... eventually

I will agree with u, Texas is flat, and my setup works well in flat terrain, now hilly terrain, im not certain, water meth will surely help out alot tho.

Muddin dude, JohnJas, and KBBT make good points too

Rick

 

TxDiesel, how was your coolant temp during your pulling? My truck would overheat towing on steep hill towing my 10k trailer. Egt's where not an issue. A 12v set-up to run 500rwhp is easy, the ticket is getting your injection pump to work right for ya and get enough air into the cylinder.

 

i'm at 500 HP or just barely over.. and i tow a 31 Foot long 8.5 ft wide snowmobile trailer.. 4700lbs empty.. throw 6 sleds in it.. and do nothing but drive uphill to the mountains.. My egts never go above 1200.. and thats towing at 75MPH or better.. btw, i live at 7000feet and climb to 9500ft or better, in less than 40 miles.. so.. yeah.. my egt's are very manageable. and thats with all my stuff turned up... not even using the water meth tho..

 

Ya know come to think of it lots of people have been able to do it, Bobcat698 towed his original tow vehicle home from Texas last year and he had a single 66 charger... I'm beginning to think that the biggest factor is self control with the throttle if you have the air... My .02

 

Hmm

IIRC the stock coolant system is good for about 450 RWHP, BUT i was able to still keep the coolant temp to about halfway on the gauge at maximum with that load in tow, The one thing i did do tho, was completely check the coolant level at cool temps, and add coolant to it the night before, and check the Over flow bottle and add to it as well. The morning before i took off i did the same thing, and loaded coolant and water into my toolbox.

The BIGGEST thing that helped me prior to that and gettin a coolant leak from the HG, was draining my system, and adding 50/50 of water and Coolant, I also added a bottle of Redline water wetter, and that helped with the temps as well.

Granted the gauge did fluctuate, but i never saw it above about 200 degrees, and at cruising speed with the trailer in tow (light foot and let the engine do the work itself) already up to speed, i saw an average fluctuation between about 160-190 degrees..

I recently added some stop leak to my fluid to stop the leaky HG and a new thermostat as well, My temps now at regular driving are 160-190 as well, I didnt order the cooler T stat, and towing 10K lbs, i see about the same, no real fluctuations.. So i can attest and say thanks to Forrest Nearing for the idea of water wetter..

IT WORKS!

Hope this helps!

Rick

PS again, texas aint too hilly, but if i had to tow in hilly terrain, id probably valet switch the truck.. South texas is particularly flat... again this is my experience talkin....

 

I was gonna point that out again for ya Rick! it is FLAT, and low. Those two things make a difference.

And I'm out because I don't have near 500hp. Yet.

 

my little truck tows like a dream, pulling a 4 runner in hilly terrain it never hit 1200. heck i even towed with a hx55 with a 19cm exhaust housing on my dually.it did not like to be in 6th gear up hill unless you were running about 80. and this was with my 33' travel trailer. but with the big single it needs to rev higer to tow without watching the egt gauge. both trucks are in the 500 rwhp range.

 

So, with a 24V, what would it take to do the same? Maybe a Smarty, Super Phat Shaft and 150HP injectors of some sort? Not wanting to use all the power all the time, but have it on tap to use for street, track or dyno. Use 350-400 for towing and step it up to play? Looking at jumping up to a Second Gen to make the wife a little happier - she hates my "farm truck".