160's vs. Trans
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Monroe/Ellensburg, WA
160's vs. Trans
What do yall think? I have been tossing around the idea of throwing some stage 1's and a chip in the truck. I have gauges, intake and exhaust, do you guys think the tranny will hold up?
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 10,410
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From: Plankinton, SD
That's what I have James. Do yourself a favor and put a racer x or equivalent valve body in to help the trans out. Bigger cooler would be nice too. Mine works great right now. If you drive like a bat out of he!! it won't last long no matter what unless you do a strong rebuild. Mine's got 150xxx miles on it. I've been really nice to mine, still haven't tried to go WOT from a dead stop, don't want to wreck it. Hit it from about 20mph, mucho more power...
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: North East Ohio
It's all driving style.
I've had Stage-1's in my stock '97 for almsot 3 years now and I expect the trans to last a long time. I just don't drive it with my foot to the floor all the time. If you do, the trans will need work in a few weeks, as will the turbo.
Drive with a light foot and use the power on occasion and you should be fine.
That's IF the trans is in good shape to start with.
I've had Stage-1's in my stock '97 for almsot 3 years now and I expect the trans to last a long time. I just don't drive it with my foot to the floor all the time. If you do, the trans will need work in a few weeks, as will the turbo.
Drive with a light foot and use the power on occasion and you should be fine.
That's IF the trans is in good shape to start with.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Lizton, IN
Yes do it just don't be stupid!
I had this same conversation with Jim last year (stage 1 versus stage 2) and decided to do stage 2 160's. Tranny is fine so far and I've put on 20,000-25,000 miles since then. Plus maybe 40-50% have been pulling a trailer of some sort.
I just take it easy most of the time. Light on the go pedal and all of that stuff. I do have a larger tranny cooler but that's all for now. Every once in a while I'll get crazy with it and lay some rubber. But that's like once a month. I've done a couple WOT at a stop and it's quite impressive. Just everytime i do it I'm thinking it may be the last time before something breaks! LOL
Now it does seem to need more oil and an intercooler. IC is going in soon and 17* sooner than later. A valve body upgrade would probably help out a lot too
I had this same conversation with Jim last year (stage 1 versus stage 2) and decided to do stage 2 160's. Tranny is fine so far and I've put on 20,000-25,000 miles since then. Plus maybe 40-50% have been pulling a trailer of some sort.
I just take it easy most of the time. Light on the go pedal and all of that stuff. I do have a larger tranny cooler but that's all for now. Every once in a while I'll get crazy with it and lay some rubber. But that's like once a month. I've done a couple WOT at a stop and it's quite impressive. Just everytime i do it I'm thinking it may be the last time before something breaks! LOL
Now it does seem to need more oil and an intercooler. IC is going in soon and 17* sooner than later. A valve body upgrade would probably help out a lot too
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Monroe/Ellensburg, WA
Thanks for all the input guys, I think i will do it over winter. I have too much on my plate right now. At the very least, I will be getting a chip. I am pretty sure the tranny is strong (knock on wood) it had been rebuilt by the previous owner. I haven't seen over 170* on the temps but haven't taken it for a long drive yet. I drive relatively conservatively once in a while i get on her but only for a second or two, darn exhaust, gotta love it!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 20,419
Likes: 197
From: AZ
It's all driving style.
I've had Stage-1's in my stock '97 for almsot 3 years now and I expect the trans to last a long time. I just don't drive it with my foot to the floor all the time. If you do, the trans will need work in a few weeks, as will the turbo.
Drive with a light foot and use the power on occasion and you should be fine.
That's IF the trans is in good shape to start with.
I've had Stage-1's in my stock '97 for almsot 3 years now and I expect the trans to last a long time. I just don't drive it with my foot to the floor all the time. If you do, the trans will need work in a few weeks, as will the turbo.
Drive with a light foot and use the power on occasion and you should be fine.
That's IF the trans is in good shape to start with.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Monroe/Ellensburg, WA
Ya, im definitely not worried about the turbo, im worried about the tranny. I just dont want to spend that kind of money on this truck, I want a nice street truck with some stage 1's.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Thomasville, GA
At most 160cc Stage II's and a QSSB or similar slight upgrade turbo. I like the idea of the Comp Turbo (i think it was them) new bearing for the stock turbos though. It replaces the stock 170* bearing with a 360* bearing for better lubrication of the journal bearing, thus giving longer life to the stock turbo. Pretty cheap and easy, although when I called them they said they don't have a kit for the OBS turbo, only 99+. Even though Diesel Power did that upgrade to their '97 F350 project rig.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Monroe/Ellensburg, WA
I think i just want to stop at injectors and a chip for this truck. I will upgrade to a Super duty later and do all that fun stuff when i already have electric fuel and intercooler and all that stuff that i dont want to do to this truck. I just want a good little machine that will sit up there with some of the newer stock trucks. I have heard about that comp turbo, someone on PSN just ordered one. I like the price tag. But again, its not in the budget for this truck.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,177
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From: Newport, WA
I think i just want to stop at injectors and a chip for this truck. I will upgrade to a Super duty later and do all that fun stuff when i already have electric fuel and intercooler and all that stuff that i dont want to do to this truck. I just want a good little machine that will sit up there with some of the newer stock trucks. I have heard about that comp turbo, someone on PSN just ordered one. I like the price tag. But again, its not in the budget for this truck.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,008
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From: Austin, TX
Plus it's just too easy to add the electric fuel and IC to these trucks to justify spending $10k+ to have all that and a stock truck. You will have to upgrade the trans either way at some point if you have an auto so might as well keep the OBS!!! lol
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 20,419
Likes: 197
From: AZ
Amen, I'm in these campgrounds with all these fancy new pickups and here I am with my 15 year old truck. I just smile and think about all those payments they are making compared to my zero payments, lol.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Monroe/Ellensburg, WA
Guys, i see all your points, believe me i do. But it is just a thought that i have had. I want to end up with a truck i can just go all out on. I dont think this truck is the one.