I have a 1997 12 valve with these modifications:

DTT Towing Transmission
Billet Input, Servo, and Accumulator
89% DTT Single Disk Converter
PRW SFI Rated Flexplate
3.54 Gears
Multiple Plates [ #0, #100, stocker waiting to grind]
II Phat Shaft 62/65/14
4" downpipe, 5" for the rest
3000 GSK Washer Mod
Firestone Air Bags
B&W Turnover Gooseneck Hitch
"Golf Club" Tow Mirrors
Prodigy Brake Controller

What I'm doing:

I have a 40ft tri-axle gooseneck I'll be pulling loaded from NH to OH and then from OH to NM. I am wondering if I should consider any other low cost modifications to give the truck an edge on towing this load across the country.

I was debating on bumping the timing up to 16.5 or 17, but I cant risk having a headgasket blow in the desert. I'm not sure how risky that much timing is...seems to be heavily debated. I also have read that higher timing hurts low end, which I dont want to do for towing. What about a real GSK either 3000 or 4000 would that benefit me at all for low end fueling?

I think I have a pretty decent truck for towing, but I'm just little for that little bit more without breaking the bank [Bought a house].

-Dustin-

 

Premium tires and a sway bar.

That's a lot of turbo for a plated stock p-pump. You got sticks? Things get real warm when you try to use all the hp.

I don't know how the washer mod feels, but a properly adjusted 3GSK in an auto pump is very nice. A GSK is not as civilized in a 913 pump.

 

You will probably have to modify your single stack to avoid soot stains on your load.

 

From what ive heard your better off with a real gsk then one with shims but you have options there. You can get a 3gsk which is really all ud need for towing or you can get a 4gsk right off the bat which will need 60lb valve springs for the exhaust. or you could do 3gsk and decide down the road you want a 4gsk buy an upgrade kit and again by 60lb springs.
Either way egts are really going to be the thing for you to watch .. i recommend geting a quick spool manifold that way your turbo kicks in a lot lower down which is what you need for towing and it also keeps egts down a bit due to its better flow. Timing to around -15 to 16 will be fine,but i dont recommend going any higher
The only thing i can think of in your mod list that could be a good or bad thing is the stock injectors like Fueling around mentiond. its good because they will keep the egts down but its bad for spool up of the turbo but since i dont know what your egts are i cant really say much on that front

 

Well I have BFG All Terrain 285/75/16's and a factory rear swaybar. The rear swaybar and extra overload springs came as some kinda factory tow or camper package I think. The firestone air bags are plumbed individually so they also help with anti-sway for the load. I do have the 5" stack installed, but also I have a 5" side exit setup that I'll put back on before towing.

I was thinking about picking up a 4000 GSK and just leaving out the small springs so it acts as a 3000 GSK for towing.

I do have stock 180 injectors. I was thinking of going bigger, but I wasnt sure what route to go. I didnt want to kill mileage for the long trip, but on the other hand I can say that it might lite the 62/14 a little late to keep EGT's where I'd like them to be. I was hoping the genuine GSK kit would help low end fueling enough to get it lit sooner. Only problem is that I'm running on a tight budget and I wouldnt be able to get top of the line injectors. I wanted to stay away from Marine 370's due to higher EGT's and poor mileage, but there arent many $300 options out there. I really wanted to get some New Era 370's or 435's, but that around $500 or $700 for DDP's. I heard you could a stock set honed out and calibrated...maybe I'll price that option.

A manifold isnt in the cards right now, it's one of the lower bang for the buck mods for me, and I cant spend $450-$500 on one of those. Injectors I could swing, but not those.

What do you guys think?

-Dustin-

 

Ive had no problems with my pensacola stage 2s(90 hp) and i think i paid under 300 for em but some people manage to have trouble withem. and the exhaust manifold i paid 400 for ... either way you need something to spool the turbo up earlier