Just wanna tow a 2000lb. Trailer up a hill..

Schurkey said:

Grossly over-advanced timing plus no EGR is going to make for some interesting knock-sensor readings.

Click to expand...

Never had knock issues till I started boosting it. Ran 87 octane but temps here range between -22 and 100*F

Schurkey said:

That gets a lot of attention, but I have yet to see proof that it makes any difference. Airflow on these engines isn't really the problem folks make it out to be; largely because they're RPM-limited by the ultra-mild camshaft and ****** intake ports in the cylinder head.

Click to expand...

I agree but it's free to do

Schurkey said:

Might be possible in Texas. You'd have a tough time with welded-shut exhaust crossovers here in the Frozen Wastelands. And the heat from welding will probably require the gasket surfaces to be planed, adding to the cost.

Click to expand...

Not if you take your time and use a block off plate to limit the welding, and set it in some, I did checked it after with a straight edge didn't warp. If you're worried about the intake being too cold it's not, there is still hot coolant crossing over front and rear but being less heat than the exhaust it allows cooler denser air into the engine making more power, if you're still worried you can insulate the intake during the winter with some fr insulation.



And as for the b&m shift kit I had one, it had options for tow and street strip. The tow was still soft, too soft for me so I went back in and changed it and yes the street strip option is more of a bang shift for sure. I have ran a trans go kit in a 4l80 and I love it but seeing as the b&m was $40 and the trans go was $200 I was thinking budget since the original question was what could be done super cheap

Ive been reading some posts and will agree about basic tuning to start.


...but what hills are in Houston? LOL. It's pretty flat down there. Only highway overpasses and that bridge going to Baytown.

We only have a mild grade here in DFW (Spur 408 and I20.) Maybe a 6% grade for a mile or so. My Dad and brother have a similar truck as yours. Is it regular cab? I'll ask if they have pulled a load @ MPH.

My BIL has a '91 ECSB. The previous owner pulled a trailer all across Texas and OK. But that was before everyone was driving 85 MPH.

I would swap rear end gears. Maybe 4.10 or 4.56. it's a hunting truck, right?

Otherwise, just sell it and get Vortec GMT 400 or a GMT 800 with 5.3

I had the same problem. Albeit trailer was bit heavier. Problem solved. Not cheap tho...
I like the Escalade thing. Or a 6.0. The tbi SB just wasn't a work horse. And maybe 4.10 diffs...but 4.56 won't run 75 unless wide open. Be screaming.
A good bigger engine is likely, in the long run, the cheap way to meet your goals. If you do your own work. A 454 will bolt in. They are cheap. Go carb.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

One thing thats going to help with braking is installina a 99-06 silverado brake master cylinder, I got mine on eevayy for $30, the fitting was only$3 from vatozones. The difference was night and day, no more mushy brakes, tight and close.

Bowtiefresh said:

One thing thats going to help with braking is installina a 99-06 silverado brake master cylinder, I got mine on eevayy for $30, the fitting was only$3 from vatozones. The difference was night and day, no more mushy brakes, tight and close.

You must be registered for see images attach

Click to expand...

Hydroboost > GMT800 MC.

L29Sub said:

I had the same problem. Albeit trailer was bit heavier. Problem solved. Not cheap tho...
I like the Escalade thing. Or a 6.0. The tbi SB just wasn't a work horse. And maybe 4.10 diffs...but 4.56 won't run 75 unless wide open. Be screaming.
A good bigger engine is likely, in the long run, the cheap way to meet your goals. If you do your own work. A 454 will bolt in. They are cheap. Go carb.

You must be registered for see images attach

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

If you are gonna keep showing us that dodge every time somebody asks about towing, maybe you could at least take more than that one damn picture.

Bowtiefresh said:

One thing thats going to help with braking is installina a 99-06 silverado brake master cylinder, I got mine on eevayy for $30, the fitting was only$3 from vatozones. The difference was night and day, no more mushy brakes, tight and close.

You must be registered for see images attach

Click to expand...

There's all these threads and posts about GMT800 master cylinders on GMT400 trucks. I don't doubt you fixed a brake problem, but no-one can tell me what's different in the newer master cylinder that accounts for the improvement (except that it isn't defective.)

I figure you could have fixed your brakes by installing a non-defective master cylinder that actually fit and didn't need adapters, cheaper than buying one that has to be cobbled into place.

Schurkey said:

There's all these threads and posts about GMT800 master cylinders on GMT400 trucks. I don't doubt you fixed a brake problem, but no-one can tell me what's different in the newer master cylinder that accounts for the improvement (except that it isn't defective.)

I figure you could have fixed your brakes by installing a non-defective master cylinder that actually fit and didn't need adapters, cheaper than buying one that has to be cobbled into place.

Click to expand...

The step bore in the LD 400 MC is largely to blame for the ****** feel. I have a heavy duty 400 MC with my hydroboost in my 1500 and I believe it is a single bore.

letitsnow said:

If you are gonna keep showing us that dodge every time somebody asks about towing, maybe you could at least take more than that one damn picture.

Click to expand...

Thanks for asking! I like that "big butt" look of a dually. Still, this is one way to tow heavy at 75...and it ain't a 'Dodge'. Its a Ram.


Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Your dodge looks good. Mine did too, but it spent way too many miles towing heavy at 40 mph on the shoulder in limp mode.