Hi there,

Well I finally got into my truck and took the tranny off because the flywheel a bolt came off and the rest of the bolts couldn't hold it, and just ripped the holes bigger in it, well anyways I got a new Flywheel & got everything all cleaned up and it put in there. The tabs on the Torque Convertor that mount to the flywheel have a couple thousands of an inch of metal shaved off from the flywheel rubbing against it when the bolts were loose, so since those things have to be perfectly balanced and it would probably have to be shaved down and such, I was thinking about just replacing the Torque Convertor with one from DTT or something to replace it, since I planned on doing it anyways, and taking the tranny out was sort of a miserable job I dont really want to do again. So I was wondering, if I replace the flywheel & torque convertor now, then when I want to upgrade the rest of my tranny such as the valve body, or rebuild it, could I just do it with it on the truck, instead of having to remove it, since I wouldn't need to get take it off to replace the Torque Convertor, if you understand what I am saying...

anyways any help would be greatly appreciated..

-Jared


BTW - What convertor do you guys recommend if I am just aiming for about 350-400 hp in my truck. Nothing crazy. Thanks.

 

You wont' have to pull the trany to change the valve body.. but for a rebuild its going to have to be removed... If its got a lot of miles on it... its probably going to need everything... One bad thing about just installing a TC is that if the trany comes apart, it can get metal and other little stuff in the convertor.. Yes, it can probably be cleaned...
If you do the TC.. might look in to a valve body at the same time... (but then your part way to a rebuild...)

 

DTT won't sell just a TC, last I heard. There are some good reasons why!
Call them for explaination.
RJ

 

diesel_kid:

I agree 100% with the advice DTR Member "JDGnut" is giving you!

FWIW,......a long time back, (in my early BOMBING days ) I initially went with a cheaper TC made by "Pro-Torque." I had very good luck with that TC and my transmission went over 75,000 miles until I made the upgrade to my current ATS unit. The "Pro-Torque" converters are much cheaper than some of the other "high end" units like DTT, ATS, Suncoast etc. You are looking at paying over $1,000.00 for each of the high end TC's from the various companies, versus about half of that for say a Goerend, Pro-Torque or others. And for the H.P. range you are in, one of the lower end TC's would work fine for you IMO. One thing I didn't say above though is when I made my intial upgrade in my 1996, I did have the whole transmission done (clutch packs, seals, TC, etc.) and my transmission tech did find alot of wear inside the transmission especially in the OD section. At the time of the intial rebuild, I had 98,000 miles on the truck.

I would also recommend any of Dave Goerend's TC's or tranny parts as everyone I know who has his products have been extremely satisfied!

Anyway,.....hope this helps you some. Good luck.

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John_P

 

What is the feel like of the bigger companies such as DTT, ATS, Suncoast etc. compared to the other guys convertors such as Georand, which I am currently really looking at. I don't tow very much, I might eventually get more into it, but for now I just use the truck as a Daily Driver. Like I said I am only going to get the truck up to 350-450hp, and I won't be racing it or sled pulling with it. What do you guys think?

What is the difference in the rebuild kits, I see that Suncoast has an Extreme Duty Master Rebuild kit for our trannies for $450 or something, what is the difference in kits?

Also, one last thing, what I would like to do is just pick up a Torque Convertor, then a Transgo Shift Kit, and then later on when I have the funds completely rebuild the Tranny. Does this sound alright for now? Thanks.

-Jared

 

Jared:

My ATS Transmission shifts firmly, but not so harsh that it feels like the tranny is "banging hard" into gear. Alot of the "feel" you mention, depends on how the line pressure is set on the transmission. Some guys like the real hard shifts, but I don't.

You asked about the differences in the rebuild kits. Without seeing what is inside the various companies kits, it is hard to answer that. Generally, the more items included, the more the kits will/should cost.

You also mentioned for now just buying a TC, "Trans-Go Shift" Kit and then later when you have the funds, do a more thorough rebuild. You can do that
if you have to, but I would go back to the advice "JDGnut" gave you in his post. Should something fail say in the clutch packs (forwards, high reverse or overdrive) and metal goes through the transmission that stuff will be inside your TC! Not trying to discourage you or anything, just bringing up some points to think about!

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John_P