new truck!! few ?'s

[zappattack1800]

boo......ya Finally picked up my truck. 1997 crew cab, 4x4, auto with overdrive, long bed. its got 234,000 on her. It has 4inch exhaust intake and swamps stage 2s I already put about 1300 on her everything seems to be fine cruise control works and a/c is cold. on the high way doing about 75mph she got 18mpg! I do have a few questions fo you guys though.

1.who makes the best maintnace or shop manual and where can i get one?
2. I think the tranny is going out. it will shift fine when normal driving (half throttle or less) but if i get on it, it will rev up between shifts...im assuming this is bad....
3. anyway to verify i have stage 2s in there without pulling an injector out?
4. I just ordered some guages (exhaust,trans, and boost) what should i be running on these numbers and when should i start to get worried?

Ill be changing the oil and filter, trans and filter....any other things i should check or change? thanks for any help guys here she is:

[no-tel-in]

Well, I would verify injectors and tuning. You don't need a service manual, this site is the best resource available. For trans, talk to Brian at BTS, you won't be disappointed. And do not beat on it until you have gauges

[7.34ever]

looks like a pretty solid score those trucks look good in red

[zappattack1800]

the guys didnt do any chip only the injectors... how can i tell i actually have stage 2s? i just bought some guages my next purchase will def be a tranny though for peace of mind, im going to be driving from cali to texas alot and want it to be solid
what temps do you guys have for trans and egt?

[7.34ever]

Originally Posted by zappattack1800

the guys didnt do any chip only the injectors... how can i tell i actually have stage 2s? i just bought some guages my next purchase will def be a tranny though for peace of mind, im going to be driving from cali to texas alot and want it to be solid
what temps do you guys have for trans and egt?

well like an idiot i'm still not running an aftermarket tranny temp guage but it never moves off "normal". the egts are usually bout 4-500 not towing depending on how close my foot is to the floor. draggin the 40 foot toyhauler it runs about 750-800 when not pulling a hill. my egt probe is after the turbo

[no-tel-in]

Ok, you should not exceed 1200 for more than a short burst. Tranny should be about 100 degrees over ambient, no hotter. And you deff need to mount your egt probe in the manifold

[zappattack1800]

thats exactly what i was looking for thanks! is there a port already in the manifold or do i need to drill one? now that i know what to search, im sure somebody has pics of an install... a few more dumb questions guys:
1. when I change the tranny fluid is the pan gasket re-use-able?
2. the fuel/water seperator is the yellow lever on the top of the engine... how long do i keep it open for? just a few seconds every month or so?
3. and last where the hell is the fuel filter?
thanks guys

[no-tel-in]

1. Yes, the gasket is reusable
2. Just until it stops draining, shouldn't take longer than 30 seconds.
3. The filter is in that bowl where the yellow valve is. Take a bar and loosen the black lid, then continue unthreading until it is loose, then pull out the filter!

[zappattack1800]

cool ill check that stuff this weekend! thanks for such fast replys! nickname should be speedy!

[no-tel-in]

Haha, lol you will pick up on this stuff quick, alot to learn here, use the search feature and you will be amazed. Once you get some custom tunes, you will be hooked and addicted like the rest of us lol