So I drive a 99 dodge ram 1500 4 X4 with a 5.9 without many upgrades. But I just ran into a sweet deal and picked up a 96 with the 5.9, auto 3.9 limited slip gears and a good reman trans for 150 bucks. so with a spare engine to build just how wild can i go with out trans build up and without very much electronics. I own a LA in a 78 dodge so i want to put a cam, rockers, f1 intake higher compression, etc and eventually maybe a super charger. I just need to know the point where I need to buy a tuner. I drive this truck everyday I just want it to **** and get when i put my foot to the floor but still be able to start with remote start, drive in the winter and haul a trailer as good as a cummins. So let me know what i can do to it.
Brad
ps Im kinda on a budget says the old lady.

 

A tuner is pretty much desirable no matter what you do. Will the truck need it? No, probably not until you get to the cam, but even with factory parts a tuner will benefit you power wise, maybe even slightly gas mileage wise as well.

My wife's 2006 Durango is completely stock, not even a K&N drop-in filter or anything. Got it a SCT tuner, and even the 87 tune for it blows away the factory tune power wise, and it even gets better mileage. The tuner was one of the, if not THE best, upgrade for my 2001 Ram as well.

 

You're not going to get far past stock with a factory built trans.

 

If I got it for $150 I would turn it into a trail truck. Or sell it and use the money to build a trail jeep. Gobs of power on the street can/will get you into trouble.

If you want to haul a trailer regularly sell both trucks and buy a cummins.

 

It'll never tow as good as cummins....But a 408 would help. And don't tow with the OD on.

 

If you change the injectors, then you will need a custom tune with a tuner. Also, if you go heads and/or cam.

What is the budget?
Cam: $399 (Lifters extra)
Roller Rockers: $365 (Harland Sharp)
Intake: $599 (F1)
Plenum Kit: $160
Underdrive Crank Pulley: $85
E-fans: prices vary, so does quality.
Edelbrock 58CC Aluminum Heads: $1500 (you said you wanted higher compression, however you said something about a SC kit.)
Supercharger Kit: $2500-3000 (Comes with SC and all plumbing and bigger injectors)

So, you basically have TWO things to do:
Supercharger Kit: BONE STOCK 360 4 PSI will turn 308 HP and 353 Tq
http://www.bionicdodge.com/bionic/in...p?topic=9467.0

Cam/Heads: Turn Hemi numbers with a cam and some bolt ons
http://www.bionicdodge.com/bionic/in...p?topic=9197.0

 

Here is how much of a difference a tuner makes:
Heads/cam without a tuner will turn less power than Stock with a tuner.