I have been searching around here for awhile now. I fear it is all for not, I am just more confused haha. I have a 1994 1500 5.9 2 wheeler truck. 380,000 miles. Starts and runs fine. Just low on power. Suspension is shot, paint is almost gone haha. I had decided instead of spending 20+ thousand on a newer truck with 200,000 miles on it, I would yank engine and tranny and rear diff to rebuild and heat up the performance. I came across a post here about OBDI vs OBDII. Basically I cannot do a 360 stroker (408) because I am stuck with the OBDI? If this is true, is there any real work I can do to bring it up to 400+hp? I am a some what experienced engine builder. But no experience with newer, electronically controlled gassers.

 

well honestly id check your plenum if your having power loss, but at 380k miles, wouldn't surprise me if shes just tired. these 5.9s keep going and goin tho. however, i think you may be out a bit of change to build up the HP and with a motor that old, not sure it would be worth it. Give her a nice tune up, maybe redo the heads, and give her a fresh coat of paint and call it a day.

 

What kind of shape is the rest of the truck in? Is it worth spending several thousand on rebuilding the driveline??

If you just wanna do it, regardless, one option would be to change over to the 96-97 OBDII electronics. It really wouldn't be all that much of an exercise, consider what else you are wanting to do, and that would make it possible to tune for whatever you decided to throw in there.

Keep in mind, going to OBDII would also require getting a 46RE trans to go with it.... as the OBDII transmissions are all electronically controlled. (or, just do a manual trans conversion. )

 

Checking the plenum is on the to do list. It is tired for sure. It has been worked hard all it's life haha. I hadn't even considered the tranny electronics. I took a closer look at the old girl today. It might be time to let the old girl rest. Maybe spend a little on it to make it a little more reliable for the grandson in 5 years. I'll go find a 96 or newer 2nd gen 4x4 to play with instead. Thanks for the replies! Love the forum.