Ram50

[Bodacious]

Hello All, I'm not new to this site (although I just joined) or the world of diesel performance. However, I've got a lot to learn.

We have drag raced, sand drag raced, and mud raced for the past 20 or so years, on and off, in some form or fashion and I am super excited that I'm finally interested in getting something together.

Anyhow, on to the build. I purchased a 1988 Ram50 and my plans are as follows:

1. Have no desire to be the fastest diesel on the planet (don't have near the funds)
2. Looking for 700HP
3. should come in at around 3300lbs
4. going with a glide and lock-up converter unless otherwise persuaded
5. has to be 4 wheel drive for the occasional sand/mud drags (probably going with a dana 30 old style front)
6. thinking of chain drive for front to reduce cost, weight, and simplicity
7. must be street legal
8. Will be racing mostly 1/8th mile so I'm thinking 3.30 gears with the 34x17x15 slicks

This is a short list of plans. Lots of fill in to come.

Some pics









My son's engine. (Forced him to donate to project )

[dvst8r]

I like where this is headed.

[chevota84]

You think the 30 will be enough?

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Xparent BlueTapatalk 2

[Bodacious]

That is an excellent question chevota84. I went to a friends house today to get my 30 back from him and both of us being old mud racers pondered a bit on the strength subject. After measuring, the 30 was a bit shorter than what I needed and he just happened to have a front axle from a Toyota laying there. The Toyota axle measured perfect so the 30 is out.



I really didn't want the six lug, but, I figured she'd match the factory Mitsubishi lug pattern that way. I have to order rear axles any how so I'll just get them six lug as well.

Did a little more dis-assembly today.



Here are a few pics of the 'ol junker we ran back in '02. She was a 1000hp 598 BBF. Ran all over the country with it and had a blast that year. They placed a weight minimum on the trucks the next season so I lost my advantage to the bigger HP hitters.





I need info on our pump. We are learning, albeit the hard way, about all the different p-pump cams and plungers. The engine in its current state rear wheel dyno'd at 469hp and 1128lbft of torque. We had the shimmed 5000rpm srings installed along with laser cut delivery valves, adjustable fuel plate, with stock rack travel plug. When on the dyno, the pump stopped fueling at around 2150. However, she'll free rev to 5500.

Come to find out, the bus 230hp pump we started with has timing notches in the top of the plungers and the cam profile is absolutely horrible for higher rpm power.

Our pump guy can take the pump and install a custom cam with 13mm plungers with a few more tricks he wouldn't discuss and I'm hoping this will get us to our 700hp goal. Could anyone give me a ballpark figure on what a fella would normally pay for mods of this nature? Would I be better off at this point to just get a big pump from scheid etc...?

The engine is balanced, smoothed marine pistons, gapless rings, ported, o-ringed, all stud'd up, cam-lifters-springs from Hamilton (220-240), thinking about going ahead and getting the intake cut off the head.

By the way, those hp numbers from above were made with an hx35 over an ht3b and made 70 psi of boost.

Are we close or not????????

[Bodacious]

Sorry forgot to mention 5x16 injectors and around 17 degrees of timing. I know 21 or so will be better, just didn't have the time to make the adjustment on the dyno.

[12vfleet]

This should be interesting. Staying with the hx35 over an ht3b? Rear axle?

[cbtoyz]

If you want pump work, get ahold of Kevin...Northeast Diesel

[4x4dually]

MY GOD!!!!

[bwdt]

You might want to take a dodge frame and bolt the body on it, stronger and easier. I'll be watching

[wideopen]

Possible the coolest Project up right now...Where do I have the CompD stickers sent to?

[Bodacious]

Thanks for the compliments. Are you serious about the compd stickers??

Ordered rear end today. Moser housing, alum center section, 40 spline gun drilled axles, 38.25 total width, Wilwood drag brakes, and 3.0 gears. The gears were not available in a pro gear so I hope they hold up.

Some more dis-assembly and some assembly:











The next several pictures are of fiberglass springs taken from a chevy astro van. A good friend and fellow mud racer from Michigan put me on to these things and they seem to work pretty well.









Hey 12vfleet. No, my son kept his compound setup. We have an hy35 on the shelf and I was thinking maybe running it in conjunction with a new HT3b. I would have to run a waste gate between the manifold and the hy35. Packaging of the compounds will be a real challenge in this little thing.

[JQmile]

Looks fun!!

I raced a 4800lb C10 that dynoed at 530rwhp and ran neck and neck with him at 6600lb and 540rwhp, so the diesel grunt seems to work pretty good at the sand drags, and with light weight it should scream. Sorry to hear about your issues with the pump, but looks like a cool build.

[dvst8r]

Originally Posted by cbtoyz

If you want pump work, get ahold of Kevin...Northeast Diesel

This.

As many can attest, not all pumps or pump shops are created equal.

[chevota84]

IMO, find a stock 180 pump and it have it benched/maxed, I bet that'll get you very near your goal for 1/4 the cost.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Xparent BlueTapatalk 2

[Cousin Billy]

If you don't have a rear end yet, I have a chrome moly 9" wjth four link. Four Aerospace Components calipers. Rotors n 40 spline drilled n star flanged axles. I think it's about 43-45 inches flange to flange. No center section. I'm in northern Kentucky if ur interested.


Cousin Billy

[Bodacious]

I spoke with Transmission Specialties today. I had found what seemed to be a nice glide with lock-up converter on racing junk for a decent price that was originally built by Transmission Specialties. After speaking with, I think it was Justin, I'm sure glad I called them. This particular trans has not been produced since 1997 and was outlawed by NHRA. From the info I got, the tranny worked to well and made an unfair advantage for those who could afford it. However, since this trans was totally custom, no parts are available should a failure occur. The fella from Racing Junk has it listed for $3900 and claims it is a great piece. The current Hughes lockup trans is $8000 and this does not include the converter.

While on the phone with Trans Specialties, they spec'd me a pro-line 3000 for $3000 and a 10" converter for $1000. Justin said he could get the converter to stall down in the 3000rpm range. Also, Justin said if I broke it, they would fix it for free. He said some fella with a diesel drag roadster is running one of these right now. Anyone know of this fella and if he's on here?

I'm just not sure which way to go. I'd love to have a lockup glide, but, I either have to sell one of my kids or take a big risk on a certain headache?????????????????????????????????????????? ????????

Anyhow, got called out to work today so progress has slowed just a bit. My son and I were still able to make a little forward motion this evening. We installed anti-crush sleeves in the frame where the rear of the springs mount and got the front shackle mounts installed.

















Hoping to have the front end completely mounted tomorrow.

If anyone could shed some light on the glide dilemma, I'd sure appreciate it. I need to get the tranny so I can slide it and the engine in place to see where the ladder bar cross member needs to be mounted.

Hey JQ, we actually handed the pump and adjustable fuel plate to our pump guy with $1000 and told him to do what he could. I think she's making decent power for that money. I'm supposed to call him Friday for the price on the additional mods. I learned that the pumps with the serial number ending in 911 have the 903 cam and is the best starting platform. These could be found on '96-'98 automatic dodge trucks. Also, we have a 300' sand drag strip here that only runs once a year. It's called the Challenge in the Hills. I've always wanted to go to gravelramma and try out the hill climb. Hopefully, we'll be able to go next year with the little ram.

[slammed1500ssc]

Stock600 I think that's his name he's did all his home work and then some

[wideopen]

Originally Posted by Bodacious

Thanks for the compliments. Are you serious about the compd stickers??

I'm always serious. I never cut up. I don't even use the smiles in my post.

[Bodacious]

Thanks Slammed1500, I'll try to dig him up when I get some time.

Finished mounting the front end and started cutting for the tunnel. Looks like I'm going to save some cash on a throttle assembly.



















That's all for now. I'll need to get my tranny to continue. We are also trying to get a shop built and it looks like the weather is going to be pretty good for the next six days. Thaaannnnkkkk Gooodnesssss

[AHall]

Ryan Tucker is Stock600.

Competition Diesel.Com - Bringing The BEST Together

Also 180hp and 215hp pumps have the 903 cam.

Consider a th400 at that power output.