I'm going to be rebuilding a 2nd Gen cummins purely for the body style. I'm looking to have 600 hp to the rear when in done. My biggest questions for the build are.... Should I stick with the same axles and upgrade the gears and hubs or get different axles and if so which axles do I get? Second is crank shaft... What should I upgrade it to? And last is the transmission. Should I go with the 5 speed or rip it out and put a 6 speed in it? The truck is going to be my weekend hot rod.

 

12v or 24v?

stock crank is fine in either motor...

These engines are not like gassers... they are industrial grade motors that are ridiculously overbuilt from the factory. pistons, connecting rods, crank, mains, etc are all extremely strong parts. 600hp is nothing for them.

I wouldn't even begin to worry about them unless you plan on 1000+RWHP.

valve springs are a different story though. in 12v or 24v you will want stiffer valve springs to prevent valve float.

 

It will be a 24v

 

budget springs and push rods:

http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/98...-pushrods.html

I run them in my truck and they work great

still need more info though...

are you buying a cummins ram, do you already have one, what year, auto or manual?

these will determine what axles and such are already in the vehicle...


I have a manual trans truck and it came factory with a dana 60 up front and a dana 80 in the rear.

I'm holding 576hp/1285tq on stock axles stock gears, stock transmission and xfer case, stock drivelines, upgraded clutch and flywheel...

 

I have one already but I want to buy a 2001 24v and manual 5 speed

 

manual should come with a D80 in the rear. check the diff or check the glovebox to be sure it does, but if it does: no need to change it. D70 rear however won't hold up to 500+hp for very long.

 

Ok cool I'll make sure to check... Well I reckon I'll ask if I should even put new head studs and gasket

 

Uh, yeah you're going to want head studs. I'm running studs and I doubt I'm even at 300hp.

 

studs: yes. Gasket: if it isn't blown, I wouldn't bother.