1994 To 1998 1/2 Dodge Ram Power Recipes - Budget-Build
For $1,500, $2,500, $5,000, And $10,000 Budgets
Perhaps the performance benchmark of the diesel industry, the '94 to '98 1/2 Dodge Ram is one of the most tried-and-true platforms for diesel enthusiasts. Horsepower levels of up to 1,500 hp can be had with the legendary P7100-pumped 12-valve engine, although we'll admit that's quite outside most people's budgets. Still, within our $1,500, $2,500, $5,000, and $10,000 budgets, you'll find that the 12-valve Cummins can pack quite a punch.
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| Diesel Power had a '97 12-valve project that made 272 hp at the wheels with minor fueling modifications. We eventually hit 340 hp with an aftermarket turbo, intercooler, exhaust, and intake, but never quite made the power we were looking for due to a lack of tuning.
There are notable differences between the '94 and '98 1/2 model year trucks and engines, however. The best of the lot are '96 to '98 1/2 models, which had stronger transmissions and a more desirable injection pump. The 215hp P7100 injection pumps found in manual transmission-equipped trucks can provide enough fuel for almost 600 hp at the wheels with very basic modifications. The earlier 160hp and 175hp pumps will take more work (larger injectors, bigger delivery valves) to get to those power levels. The point here is your modifications will vary depending on what kind of injection pump you have.
If you're into basic mods and expect your diesel to last forever, this is your truck. A manual transmission '94 to '98 1/2 Dodge Ram with a fuel plate and turned-up stock turbo will last forever-we know of a few car haulers who have put 700,000 to 800,000 miles on their engines before a major rebuild. So whether it's basic performance or ultimate power you're after, second-generation Dodge Rams are hard to beat.
BUDGET: $1,500
Modification: Killer Dowel Pin kit
Reason: Because engine failure is no fun
Vendor: Source Automotive
Price: $60
Reason: Because engine failure is no fun
Vendor: Source Automotive
Price: $60
Modification: Gauges
Reason: To keep an eye on boost and EGT
Vendor: Pure Diesel Power, Auto Anything
Price: $250 - $350
Reason: To keep an eye on boost and EGT
Vendor: Pure Diesel Power, Auto Anything
Price: $250 - $350
Modification: Fuel plate and boost elbow
Reason: To add more fuel and boost
Vendor: TST Products
Price: $250
Reason: To add more fuel and boost
Vendor: TST Products
Price: $250
Modification: 3,000-rpm governor spring kit
Reason: More rpm and improved powerband
Vendor: TST Products, Pure Diesel Power
Price: $110
Reason: More rpm and improved powerband
Vendor: TST Products, Pure Diesel Power
Price: $110
Modification: Aftermarket intake
Reason: More airflow is needed with more fuel
Vendor: Auto Anything, Source Automotive, Laguna Speed
Price: $250 - $300
Reason: More airflow is needed with more fuel
Vendor: Auto Anything, Source Automotive, Laguna Speed
Price: $250 - $300
Modification: Aftermarket 4-inch exhaust
Reason: More exhaust flow is needed with intake and fuel upgrades
Vendor: Auto Anything, Source Automotive, Laguna Speed
Price: $350 - $450
Reason: More exhaust flow is needed with intake and fuel upgrades
Vendor: Auto Anything, Source Automotive, Laguna Speed
Price: $350 - $450
Horsepower Range (at the wheels): 200 - 330 hp
Weak Link: Stock torque converter
Weak Link: Stock torque converter
TOTAL: $1,270 - $1,470
BUDGET: $2,500
Modification: Killer Dowel Pin kit
Reason: Because engine failure is no fun
Vendor: Source Automotive
Price: $60
Reason: Because engine failure is no fun
Vendor: Source Automotive
Price: $60
Modification: Gauges
Reason: To keep an eye on boost and EGT
Vendor: Pure Diesel Power, Auto Anything
Price: $250 - $350
Reason: To keep an eye on boost and EGT
Vendor: Pure Diesel Power, Auto Anything
Price: $250 - $350
Modification: Fuel plate and boost elbow
Reason: To add more fuel and boost
Vendor: TST Products
Price: $250
Reason: To add more fuel and boost
Vendor: TST Products
Price: $250
Modification: 3,000-rpm governor spring kit
Reason: More rpm and improved powerband
Vendor: TST Products, Pure Diesel Power
Price: $110
Reason: More rpm and improved powerband
Vendor: TST Products, Pure Diesel Power
Price: $110
Modification: Aftermarket intake
Reason: More airflow is needed with more fuel
Vendor: Auto Anything, Source Automotive, Laguna Speed
Price: $250 - $300
Reason: More airflow is needed with more fuel
Vendor: Auto Anything, Source Automotive, Laguna Speed
Price: $250 - $300
Modification: Aftermarket 4-inch exhaust
Reason: More exhaust flow is needed with intake and fuel upgrades
Vendor: Auto Anything, Source Automotive, Laguna Speed
Price: $350 - $450
Reason: More exhaust flow is needed with intake and fuel upgrades
Vendor: Auto Anything, Source Automotive, Laguna Speed
Price: $350 - $450
Modification: Torque converter (auto)
Reason: Stock converter will slip
Vendor: Sun Coast Converters, ATS, Goerend Transmission, NADP
Price: $1,100 - $1,300
Reason: Stock converter will slip
Vendor: Sun Coast Converters, ATS, Goerend Transmission, NADP
Price: $1,100 - $1,300
Modification: Clutch upgrade (manual)
Reason: Stock clutch will slip
Vendor: South Bend Clutch
Price: $1,100
Reason: Stock clutch will slip
Vendor: South Bend Clutch
Price: $1,100
Horsepower Range (at the wheels): 200 - 375 hp
Weak Link: High EGT (215hp pump) or stock injectors (160hp and 175hp pumps)
Weak Link: High EGT (215hp pump) or stock injectors (160hp and 175hp pumps)
TOTAL: $2,370 - $2,770
BUDGET: $5,000
Modification: Killer Dowel Pin kit
Reason: Because engine failure is no fun
Vendor: Source Automotive
Price: $60
Reason: Because engine failure is no fun
Vendor: Source Automotive
Price: $60
Modification: Gauges
Reason: To keep an eye on boost and EGT
Vendor: Pure Diesel Power, Auto Anything
Price: $250 - $350
Reason: To keep an eye on boost and EGT
Vendor: Pure Diesel Power, Auto Anything
Price: $250 - $350
Modification: Fuel plate and boost elbow
Reason: To add more fuel and boost
Vendor: TST Products
Price: $250
Reason: To add more fuel and boost
Vendor: TST Products
Price: $250
Modification: 3,000-rpm governor spring kit
Reason: More rpm and improved powerband
Vendor: TST Products, Pure Diesel Power
Price: $110
Reason: More rpm and improved powerband
Vendor: TST Products, Pure Diesel Power
Price: $110
Modification: Aftermarket intake
Reason: More airflow is needed with more fuel
Vendor: Auto Anything, Source Automotive, Laguna Speed
Price: $250 - $300
Reason: More airflow is needed with more fuel
Vendor: Auto Anything, Source Automotive, Laguna Speed
Price: $250 - $300
Modification: Aftermarket 4-inch exhaust
Reason: More exhaust flow is needed with intake and fuel upgrades
Vendor: Auto Anything, Source Automotive, Laguna Speed
Price: $350 - $450
Reason: More exhaust flow is needed with intake and fuel upgrades
Vendor: Auto Anything, Source Automotive, Laguna Speed
Price: $350 - $450
Modification: Torque converter (auto)
Reason: Stock converter will slip
Vendor: Sun Coast Converters, ATS, Goerend Transmission, NADP
Price: $1,100 - $1,300
Reason: Stock converter will slip
Vendor: Sun Coast Converters, ATS, Goerend Transmission, NADP
Price: $1,100 - $1,300
Modification: Clutch upgrade (manual)
Reason: Stock clutch will slip
Vendor: South Bend Clutch
Price: $1,100
Reason: Stock clutch will slip
Vendor: South Bend Clutch
Price: $1,100
Modification: Aftermarket injectors
Reason: More fuel is needed
Vendor: Dynomite Diesel Performance, Scheid Diesel, Industrial Injection
Price: $700 - $900
Reason: More fuel is needed
Vendor: Dynomite Diesel Performance, Scheid Diesel, Industrial Injection
Price: $700 - $900
Modification: Delivery valves
Reason: Increases fueling
Vendor: Pure Diesel Power
Price: $250 - $300
Reason: Increases fueling
Vendor: Pure Diesel Power
Price: $250 - $300
Modification: 62 - 64mm turbocharger
Reason: More airflow is needed at this power level
Vendor: ATS, Industrial Injection, Majestic Turbo
Price: $1,300 - $1,800
Reason: More airflow is needed at this power level
Vendor: ATS, Industrial Injection, Majestic Turbo
Price: $1,300 - $1,800
Modification: Head studs
Reason: An inexpensive insurance against a blown head gasket
Vendor: ARP, Pure Diesel Power
Price: $450
Reason: An inexpensive insurance against a blown head gasket
Vendor: ARP, Pure Diesel Power
Price: $450
Modification: Aftermarket lift pump
Reason: An upgraded lift pump is needed to supply enough fuel to the injection pump
Vendor: Fass, Pureflow Technologies
Price: $500
Reason: An upgraded lift pump is needed to supply enough fuel to the injection pump
Vendor: Fass, Pureflow Technologies
Price: $500
Horsepower Range (at the wheels): 450 - 550 hp
Weak Link: Transmission shafts, stock flexplate
Weak Link: Transmission shafts, stock flexplate
TOTAL: $5,570 - $6,720
BUDGET: $10,000
Modification: Killer Dowel Pin kit
Reason: Because engine failure is no fun
Vendor: Source Automotive
Price: $60
Reason: Because engine failure is no fun
Vendor: Source Automotive
Price: $60
Modification: Gauges
Reason: To keep an eye on boost and EGT
Vendor: Pure Diesel Power, Auto Anything
Price: $300
Reason: To keep an eye on boost and EGT
Vendor: Pure Diesel Power, Auto Anything
Price: $300
Modification: Fuel plate and boost elbow
Reason: To add more fuel and boost
Vendor: TST Products
Price: $250
Reason: To add more fuel and boost
Vendor: TST Products
Price: $250
Modification: 4,000-rpm governor spring kit
Reason: More rpm and improved powerband
Vendor: Pure Diesel Power
Price: $110
Reason: More rpm and improved powerband
Vendor: Pure Diesel Power
Price: $110
Modification: Aftermarket intake
Reason: More airflow is needed with more fuel
Vendor: Auto Anything, Source Automotive, Laguna Speed
Price: $250 - $300
Reason: More airflow is needed with more fuel
Vendor: Auto Anything, Source Automotive, Laguna Speed
Price: $250 - $300
Modification: Aftermarket 4-inch exhaust
Reason: More exhaust flow is needed with intake and fuel upgrades
Vendor: Auto Anything, Source Automotive, Laguna Speed
Price: $350 - $450
Reason: More exhaust flow is needed with intake and fuel upgrades
Vendor: Auto Anything, Source Automotive, Laguna Speed
Price: $350 - $450
Modification: Torque converter (auto)
Reason: Stock converter will slip
Vendor: Sun Coast Converters, ATS, NADP, Goerend Transmission
Price: $1,100 - $1,300
Reason: Stock converter will slip
Vendor: Sun Coast Converters, ATS, NADP, Goerend Transmission
Price: $1,100 - $1,300
Modification: Dual-disc clutch, input shaft upgrade, kit
Reason: Needed at this power level
Vendor: South Bend Clutch
Price: $2,500
Reason: Needed at this power level
Vendor: South Bend Clutch
Price: $2,500
Modification: Racing transmission (auto)
Reason: Billet shafts, good clutches, and internal upgrades needed at this power level
Vendor: Sun Coast Converters, ATS, NADP, Goerend Transmission
Price: $5000
Reason: Billet shafts, good clutches, and internal upgrades needed at this power level
Vendor: Sun Coast Converters, ATS, NADP, Goerend Transmission
Price: $5000
Modification: Flexplate
Reason: Stock flexplate will break
Vendor: Sun Coast Converters, ATS, NADP, Goerend Transmission, BD Diesel Performance
Price: $500
Reason: Stock flexplate will break
Vendor: Sun Coast Converters, ATS, NADP, Goerend Transmission, BD Diesel Performance
Price: $500
Modification: Race Injectors
Reason: More fuel is needed
Vendor: Dynomite Diesel, Scheid Diesel
Price: $1,100
Reason: More fuel is needed
Vendor: Dynomite Diesel, Scheid Diesel
Price: $1,100
Modification: Laser-cut delivery valves
Reason: Increases fueling
Vendor: Pure Diesel Power
Price: $300
Reason: Increases fueling
Vendor: Pure Diesel Power
Price: $300
Modification: 66 - 71mm turbo
Reason: More airflow is needed at this power level
Vendor: ATS, Industrial Injection, Majestic Turbo
Price: $1,800
Reason: More airflow is needed at this power level
Vendor: ATS, Industrial Injection, Majestic Turbo
Price: $1,800
Modification: Head studs
Reason: An inexpensive insurance against a blown head gasket
Vendor: ARP, Pure Diesel Power
Price: $450
Reason: An inexpensive insurance against a blown head gasket
Vendor: ARP, Pure Diesel Power
Price: $450
Modification: Aftermarket lift pump
Reason: An upgraded lift pump is needed to supply enough fuel to the injection pump
Vendor: Fass, Pureflow Technologies
Price: $500
Reason: An upgraded lift pump is needed to supply enough fuel to the injection pump
Vendor: Fass, Pureflow Technologies
Price: $500
Modification: Valve springs and retainers
Reason: Needed for 4,000 rpm
Vendor: Pure Diesel Power
Price: $460
Reason: Needed for 4,000 rpm
Vendor: Pure Diesel Power
Price: $460
Horsepower Range (at the wheels): 500 - 700 hp (depending on injector size, pump, and pump tuning)
Weak Link: Smoky, possible EGT problems, slow to spool, stock injection pump and injector lines, over budget
Weak Link: Smoky, possible EGT problems, slow to spool, stock injection pump and injector lines, over budget
TOTAL: $9,080 - $12,880