I want to put a little pep into this truck. I didn't pay much for it, though it seems to run pretty good so far. The chassis has 600k and the new motor supposedly less than 200k.

I also have a 95 Ford F350 crew cab dually that really moves great. Maybe I'm comparing apples and oranges here, but the Dodge just doesn't seem to have any great get-up-and-go.

Not to say I'm expecting too much from a flatbed truck, and it seems to run through the gears well enough to pull a load, but I just want a little more from it.

So, what inexpensive (is there such things?) I can do to give it a little more pep for someone who has virtually no experience with cummins or manual flatbeds?

Here's a few thoughts I've had. Is it worth cutting some air entry points upstream of the filter on the filter box itself? Is there a slightly better option to install without spending too much money?

I don't want to get into plates and exhaust right now as I'm just at the begininng of my learning curve, but what about a low-end chip?

Gutting the kitty, as some say? Etc.

Thanks for any input.

Btw, I plan on changing the fuel lines with new hose and changing the differential fluid, and a few other things as a starting point.

It has a rebuilt 5 speed in November with new clutch and I just changed the oil.

 

Gauges gauges gauges. You need (imho) a baseline. Plus, you can fry the motor with what you've got, if you're running blind. If you can afford to throw the motor away, fine, do a search on the p-pump and crank 'er up. Otherwise, a bare minimum to any fussing with more power is a pyrometer. All the things you can do that don't require gauges (exhaust, intake etc.) will not really produce the added pep I gather you're looking for.

there is no 'chip' for the fuel system you have--your truck is 100 percent mechanical injection. My guess is that you're pump timing has slipped over time, causing lackluster performance. From what I've read, I would start there, though it's not super cheap to get it timed properly, it's a good first move for a motor with some miles on it. There's bunches more, but there's bunches of folks who know way more than me that'll chime in. Good luck. And get that pyro!
greg

 

There is no chip on your '95 truck. It's mechanically injected setup versus the 24 Valve (98.5 and newer) electronically injected setup.

Pretty sure your 95 Powerstroke makes more power stock than your Dodge. (don't worry a few BOMBs will fix that) so it probably does runa little stronger.

 

a few inexpensive things you can do are, remove the slincer ring in your turbo.easy to do,no performance gains but sounds cool,strate pipe her,remove mufler and resonator.get a bhaf{40-50$}or at the least drill some big holes in the stock airbox.then you need to spend some money on plates and other stuff.let the tired beast breathe

 

You don't need to spend a dime to get from drag to brag....as far as tuning the engine goes that is. Beforehand you should get some instruments, and a free flowing intake and exhaust. DIY, buy it, or barter for it, however you like....but lettin it breathe and gettin an eyeball on the engine vitals will do miracles in itself. Then when you feel comfortable, add a few degrees of timing, adjust the stock fuel plate, make a boost controller to get some more air, adjust the pre-boost fuel via the AFC, and go slip that stock clutch. Once THAT bug bites you look out.....it's a downhill marriage busting affair with a oil burnin' mistress, that will have you wanting more than your wallet can usually support!! Then you'll spend the rest of your Cummins career weeding out one weak link at at a time, usually finding them at a less than opportune time!!

Seriously, these trucks and engines are extremely fun, and if there's an ounce of performance in your blood, you're in trouble.

Can I get ditto please fellas?

Chris