I just got a new (lol, new is a funny term in this case) 95 CTD with 272,000 miles on it. I had found many 12v's with similar mileage around $4000 to $5000 but had the issue of I didn't know what was wrong with them. So instead I picked up this truck that needs a lot of things for $2500. Its going straight to the shop to get a upgrade on the TC and a new transmission with HD valve body. Also going to do track bar, ball joints, tie rod ends, tires, shutoff solenoid, and master cylinder. I'm not going for huge hp but would like to make more than what it has right now. My question is what's the best I can do with stock turbo. This is not my first 12v but I didn't do that much to my last one. Here is what I was planning on doing right away while its in the shop.

- 4" exhaust with 18" straight through muffler (I like loud but can't go too loud because of where I live)
- EGT and boost gauges
- boost elbow, crank the boost up to about 32psi (unless I can run 35psi and be alright)
- advance timing to ????
- KDP fix
- Fuel plate ??? dont know which one to get

My big question is with the mileage should I be doing new injectors? If yes what size injectors should I go to. I was thinking of going up a little bit to get better mileage and power but not sure how big I can go without having EGT problems. I'm really not sure what plate to get or what to advance the timing too. I was thinking a #10 plate as it is a work truck and will be towing a lot. I want power but I don't want to sacrifice MPG, it would be nice to get both. As far as timing goes I was thinking somewhere around 15.5 degrees. What do you guys think? Is there anything that I missed on this list? I don't want to do the turbo yet, though with the mileage when the time to do a HG comes I will probably stud it and get it ready for a little bigger turbo.

 

I forgot I also was going to do a TC lockup switch and a 3k GSK.

 

The stuff you have on that list will put you up near the limits of the stock turbo. If you installed injectors, even more so.
Id look at something like DDP3's and a phat shaft 62/12 next unless you want to go larger at the expense of street manners. This combo can make 430-ish HP.
Once you exceed the 400hp threshold the headgasket becomes an issue. Youll need studs and orings.
Next in line would be a cam.. the headgasket absolutely needs doing before the cam. unless you like watching coolant trickle off of #1 or #6...

 

Yeah I figured that combo would be kinda pushing the limits the stock turbo but I don't have the money to put a new turbo in yet. That being said I may decide to do a turbo at some point but for now I just want to run as much as I can with what's there.

 

Actually that brings up another question. Do ppl stop at 35psi with the stock turbo because the turbo can't handle more or because the head gasket can't handle more? Bigger turbo = more boost or just lower egt's at same boost?

 

after 35 psi the boost air gets too hot with a stock turbo

 

I run a 10 plate all the way forward. 3 k governor kit. 215 injectors and the .02(0 I think) washers. 17 deg timing. I get good mileage with 3.55 gears or what ever they are. Automatic transimssion. afc housing all the way forward.
I have 145 k miles on mine. There are two cpl numbers on the timing on the 95. Different mm of lift to determine the correct timing. The timing really woke up my truck. The only thing that gave me better mileage. I have ran the 6 and the 10 plate. Good luck.

 

I'd go with a 0 plate. Free to make, easy to make. Most drivers are smart enough to see their temps getting hot to back out of the pedal. The 10 plate will do this for you, but it will do it whether you are already too hot, or still running cool. Thats why I prefer a plate that has no upper end defueling.

Injectors on a the stock turbo isn't bad, its much more responsive on the bottom end, but it will get toasty up top. But just short runs won't hurt anything. With 140hp injectors, my around town and highway EGT's remained the same, it was only WOT that they went up. With a bigger turbo, its the exact opposite.

I would just disconnect the wastegate instead of buying a boost elbow. If you get an aftermarket turbo down the road, the boost elbow will be useless anyway.