tow rig/ dd questions

[rockbuggy4x4]

ok guys, I've been looking around and found some info but not as much as I'd like. I have an 89 that I'm going to do a CC conversion w/ flatbed and looking to get 300-400hp. My question is what would be the best setup for 300-400hp while still keeping it reliable? Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

[cmann250]

400hp is a lot to tow with. 400 is a lot of hp with a VE period.

I'm at 274hp (through a stock 727) and it tows fine while being reliable as stock. Hills are another thing to consider, along with the transmission. 300 is an achievable number with mostly stock parts and you could use it without EGT or water temp issues. A turbo upgrade, lift pump, and intercooler should get you close if you have a manual.

These trucks don't need as much power as you'd think to feel quick since they are so light.

[rockbuggy4x4]

I got my eyes on a 47rh that I might pull apart a put some billet components in. What would be a good turbo upgrade? The turbo is one of my main concerns about getting the right amount of air to the cylinder.

[cmann250]

The right turbo depends on how much you want to spend. The HX35, HE351CW, 60mm H1C, Hybrid 35/40, HX40, Super 40, S300G, and several other S300s will all get you close. That list more or less goes from cheapest to most expensive. The HX35 will be at it's absolute max, but it's far and away cheapest. I have an $80 HX 35 on my engine and a $1400 custom S300 would make the same power +/- 10%. It's all price, assuming you have a given amount of fuel.

[Sutter1stgen]

I see you go by rockbuggy4x4! So you must have some good fab skills. For right about a grand or less a person could build their own set if compounds. I have a hx35/hx55 set as of right now. My friend ran them on his truck and horse traded with me.

The reason I bring this up is egts while towing. He had pods and a standard trans. Max egts grossing over 24k had him at 1200 on the pyro. His truck also ran around the street with 337/740 to the wheels and never went over 1k on the pyro. When I ran these whith my auto I never got over 1k period with 5x12 ddp3s, and it had me at 330/660. Compounds seem out of the picture for some. But the reality is if you have the gumption, and fab skills, you can have a awesome tow rig with great all around street manners.

[rockbuggy4x4]

A set of compounds was on my mind for a while. I was thinking something like a h1c over a ht3b? I remember reading that they were a well liked setup. I'm not too crazy about spending over a grand on a single turbo. Would a single turbo limit me on other mods? I don't want to cheap out and get a turbo that's going to give me lots of lag or no low/high end power. Also, I live in NEPA (lots of hills) and would love it if I never had to worry about egts getting too high.

[rockbuggy4x4]

I see you go by rockbuggy4x4! So you must have some good fab skills.

A little off topic, but I did build a custom suspense, bumpers, and other brackets for my rock crawler. And the name is Jimmy.

[RCCUMMINS89]

If mods are done correctly 400hp can tow without heat issues.

Compounds tow better than a single hands down. A single turbo can be had for about a touch over a grand and later if more air is needed a second turbo can be added without ever actually wasting parts.

For example, one can get an s300g for $1000-$1100, a quality set of injectors and if they want more power or more air....simply add an ht3b and open your injectors up. Where it doesn't work is when someone wants a lot of power on a single so they buy a large single such as a 62/65 or a 62/71 and then wants more air...... their large single is then way too laggy for towing when one adds a low press. turbo.

[Sutter1stgen]

If mods are done correctly 400hp can tow without heat issues.

Compounds tow better than a single hands down. A single turbo can be had for about a touch over a grand and later if more air is needed a second turbo can be added without ever actually wasting parts.

For example, one can get an s300g for $1000-$1100, a quality set of injectors and if they want more power or more air....simply add an ht3b and open your injectors up. Where it doesn't work is when someone wants a lot of power on a single so they buy a large single such as a 62/65 or a 62/71 and then wants more air...... their large single is then way too laggy for towing when one adds a low press. turbo.

Good advise right here. It's a good position to set yourself into to grow.
Jimmy compound piping is just like any other metal fab project, you could do it easy. Just takes amlittle time and patients. The after effect, when compared to a stock single, is rediculouse.

[rockbuggy4x4]

I know I could do that piping for a compound. That would be the easy part. The hard part is figuring out what turbo/turbos to get. I have no experience with turbos. If I got a single turbo, how would know what size turbo to get so I don't have lots of lag or suffer at the high end?

[RCCUMMINS89]

S300G, or a 60/68/.7, or an he351cw....all good single turbos that spool fast. Any bigger and they'll spool slower.

[rockbuggy4x4]

Are those turbos good at keeping egts down on steep grades?

[RCCUMMINS89]

The S300G is the best towing turbo that you can put on your truck. Also that is probably the best top turbo for a towing compound set up. In short, you can't go wrong. I can get you into one for $1,050.00. You will need to do have a 4" exhaust though for any of the above turbos.

[oldestof11]

Cheapest setup that will cool well would be a HX35/HX55 or HX52. Of you go with the 52, you can upgrade the 35 to 60mm and the 52 from 67 to 72mm. That would bee more than enough air for 400 and still spool quick. You have room to grow right

[RCCUMMINS89]

I agree with jon with the above. But, the hx35 alone isn't going to do a phenomenol job too much over stock.... so you'd almost want to jump straight into the compounds...... but, it's a great idea.