99' 318 needs more power please....
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99' 318 needs more power please....
Hi all, love the site!! Been original owner of a 99' 1500 with a 318 and 5 speed manual since new, love the truck, just wishing for a little more on the power end. Head gaskets just started leaking coolant externally now and figured I open up the top end and repair the leak. Looking to install some bolt-on power, maybe heads, maybe headers, who knows how far I will go, main thing is that it still runs and doesnt take me to same cost as a crate 360. Any suggestions or ideas would be awesome......Thanks in advance
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Clayton MI
How much are you willing to spend? Where would you like your power to be? (or maybe, a better question would be... how do you use your truck?) Do you have emissions testing/inspection where you register your truck?
Don't forget to fix the plenum while you have it off. (see the stickied thread at the top of this forum.)
Don't forget to fix the plenum while you have it off. (see the stickied thread at the top of this forum.)
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Looking to spend upt to $2000 give or take, I did fix the plenum leaks earlier. I have removed the catalytic converter and installed a smoother flow "Y" pipe into exhaust off the manifolds. I have no emission regulations (yet) where I live. basically the truck will be used primarily for pulling a light weight holiday trailer for the remainder of its life. Not too worried about fuel mileage since its no longer a everyday driver. Just seems that no matter the load or empty Iam constantly between 4th and 5th. Any suggestions......already looking into a cam, any ideas as to what has the best proven results
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Clayton MI
Get some flavor of RV (low end torque) cam, (around 300) Headers, to compliment your y-pipe, (around 300 dollars.....) custom tune to go with your cam, (365 from hemifever), Hughes Air Gap intake manifold. (600 clams), and a modified throttle body. (either do it yourself, buy one off ebay, or Fastman makes some good ones, but, they tend to be pricey. Cheapest way is do it yourself.. I think there is even a DIY in the faq section for it.
additional parts that aren't on the list:
Water Pump? (gotta take it off anyway...)
Timing set. Get a good double roller set.
Last but not least... (and most expensive, would suck most of your budget....) Re-gear the diffs......
additional parts that aren't on the list:
Water Pump? (gotta take it off anyway...)
Timing set. Get a good double roller set.
Last but not least... (and most expensive, would suck most of your budget....) Re-gear the diffs......
Record Breaker
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,181
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From: Battle Ground WA
IMO, instead of regearing, just tow in 4th. Towing in 5th isn't the best for the tranny. If you go with lower gears and tow in 4th, your RPMs are gonna get pretty high. An "RV" cam is the best way to improve low end torque. Also a good tune will boost low end torque a good amount as well.