I have a 97 4X4 Dodge 12 valve, all stock. Looking to increase the horsepower for hauling livestock. Don't want to get into anything that will compromised reliability as we often haul for hours over long distances .
Suggestions?

 

I'd say that depending on your transmission, if reliability is your goal, you should always do both parts together.
12Vs are notorious for slipping the timing a bit, get it adjusted to 15 degrees. (good for power and economy)
If it's a dog and sluggish to take off you can look into the AFC adjustment.

If you pull heavy I'd say that even before perfomance mods gauges must be installed.
A: They help you determine whether everything is OK and B are of invaluable help when tuning your truck.

HTH
AlpineRAM

 

I talked to someone today that said all I needed to do was to straight pipe it and get a "chip", whatever that is?

 

Do some reading in here youl probably get talked into gauges, atleast EGT, and a torque plate or torque plate adjustment. Also look up Piers Diesel Research, as I have never heard a negative comment about them and they have an 800 number! just my .002

 

no "chips" for a 97, but you can eat "chips" in one. The 12v is not a "chipable" engine like the 24v. Once we are edumacated the 12v is better for more power. just my .002

 

A "chip" is an electronic device that will iinfluence your injection pump. Bad thing there's no electronics on the injection pump of a 12V Cummins. Good thing is that you can change lots of parameters with hand tools. So a chip is not an option for you.
A straight pipe (or better a full 4" system) will help your truck exhale. To help it inhale get a BHAF (bigger air filter) or a Scotty2 (air system)- now you'll need to add fuel at the right time- means set your timing correctly and either slide your plate forward or get another fuel plate.
BUT- GAUGES!!!! first. Maybe there's some small stuff wrong with your truck and you just don't know it? Gauges help. They'll also help you not to ruin your engine. (High EGT, molten pistons baaaad, EGT gauge could have prevented it)
Do you have a manual or an auto tranny- fill in your signature with some truck details. (There's a button called User CP on the site)

AlpineRAM

 

Is reseting the timing hard on my truck, It sounds like it is something that I need to do to get more power and to get myself ever closer to my goal of getting over 30 mpg on my truck.

 

diesel_kid: I think it's vastly optimistic to shoot for 30 mpg with a lifted truck with big tires... Aerodynamics like a barn.

AlpineRAM

 

Are there suggested air filters that would help that fit into the stock housing?

 

Well there's the K&N that goes into the stock housing. But the stock airbox itself is rather restrictive. So don't hope for too much air there- lots of people have switched from the K&N in the stock location to the BHAF or the Scotty.
Those two also offer superior sealing against dirt if mounted correctly.

AlpineRAM

 

Let us know how you get there. There are about 10k members here that would like to know. For that matter, tell me how to get past 17 in my 2500 4x4....lol

You could probly make a fortune if you could figure out 30mpg's.



MBMAN< Dont listen to the guy telling you to chip it. That right there tells me that he knows very little about the 12v.

 

30 mpg?!?!? Sign me up too, please!!

LOL!

 

Well Im close, all stock including my probably clogged up Cat Convertor, restrictive airbox, open bed with tailgate up( I know its been discussed that its not that big of a difference but oh well), not running synthetic, underinflated tires (45psi when they should have been at 80 or at least 70), regular diesel with no additives, and the timing probably off I am getting 27mpg.

So getting that 30 mpg isnt far off I dont think, I just added some cetane +8 boost to my tank, see if that makes a difference...

 

Please enlighten us on how you calculate your mileage.

 

Fill tank right up, reset odometer to 0. At next fill up, fill tank right up, see how many litres it takes to fill up tank, see how far you went on odometer. Do this over a few fill ups, and average out the km/L. Then convert to mpg.