Price_Dog

Okay, so I know this sounds like a ridiculous question, and the title overstates it a bit, but I guess I don't have a good answer for it. Am I going to save anything (cash wise) by upgrading my tranny BEFORE I do any damage to it? I'm getting ready to work on stacking something (maybe my Edge, maybe something different) with the Smarty and I don't know if I'd be better off just doing the tranny upgrade before I turn it up at all (70-100 hp), or if I should just run it until I start getting problems?

My truck only has about 20,000 miles on it - and they're a very easy 20,000, as very few of them are towing anything over 6,000#s. Actually, I put 10,000 on it within the first 6 months of buying the truck and now I rarely drive it (free company car).

So here's what I'm wondering:

1. Will upgrading my tranny "upfront" save me any $$$?
2. To hold another 100-125 hp will a TC, VB, input shaft and flex plate be what needs to be upgraded?
3. I am not mechanically inclined so someone else is obviously going to have to do the work (and I'm willing to travel to have it done) - how much am I looking - as a guesstimate?
4. If anyone in MO, IL, IA, KS, AR, TN, KY or IN is a DTT, Suncoast or other good tranny installer, shoot me a PM if you're interested in talking to me about doing the work.

Thanks guys!

Thomas

j-fox

It is always better to up grade before you destroy it.
If you destroy it, you will send debris through the coolers and back through out the trans. If it damages the planetaries you have more expense.

Price_Dog

Maybe destroying is a little much, haha. Very particular about everything I do with the truck as it is and didn't know if hurting it a bit would make it any more expensive to upgrade or if it would be the same either way.

Spooler

It depends on what you do to it. If just a flexplate, TC, billet input shaft, and VB then it will be by far cheaper. All billet shafts, then it will be a little cheaper. 4000 the first way or 6500 to 7000 the other two ways. Take your pic.

Price_Dog

If I'm not sled pulling or pulling heavy loads and only going 100-125 hp am I good with NOT going billet throughout?

Ram Daddy

At LEAST do the billet input shaft , the entire tranny needs to come apart to do it later (ask me how I know) , and a billet flexplate is also advised.

Price_Dog

Thanks for the replies thus far. Anyone have recommendations on diesel/tranny shops in the midwest that are reputable and fair on pricing? Goerend is in IA if I remember correctly. Anyone else around? I'm located in Central Missouri, but willing to travel a way to get this done well and for the right price. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thomas

no_6_oh_no

Yes, thats not enough power to warrant the expense. An input shaft is reccomended if you want to do boosted launches, pulling, or lockup control but its not needed. The stock input will take a lot before it gives up. Even a billet flex plate is optional if you use a billet cover TC.

With what you want a good single disk TC, shift kit, and few internal billet pieces and you will be good unless you just thrash it to death.

Price_Dog

Definitely not thrashing it to death . . . but want it to hold up if I get after it a little bit. Would like to be able to turn the power up when I need it - which I'm not sure when I'll need it but it's nice to know that I'm safe when that time comes!