I'm currently in the process of looking for a 94-98 Dodge Ram.
I will be bombing this truck and uses include: sled pulling, dragracing, & daily driver.

I've got my eye on a 1998 2500 club cab that i can get for a great price. Texas truck to boot..

Only problem is, its an Automatic.
How much money do I have to spend to get an auto to hold 550+ HP while drag racing & sled pulling?

I'm really torn on what to do.. I've found some 98 Manuals (which I'd prefer because of the new interior & bigger 215 pump). They are similar prices but have regular cabs..

I suppose I could convert the 98 to a manual, but I don't think that would be very fun..

If I get a manual I plan to upgrade the input shaft, fix overdrive & slap a South Bend DD clutch in it..

What do you guys think?

Thanks..
Garrett

 

For drag racing the auto will be quicker. (And I don't know squat about sled pulling)
Since your application is going to be on the rather tough side I think you will need billet shafts (complete set) regardless of the vendor you choose- also a deep tranny pan to stiffen up the case. Then it's gonna be the TC, VB and clutches, bands, seals, pistons etc from the vendor of your choice. My personal experience with DTT tells me that it's a good idea to tell the prospective vendor exactly what you want to do with the truck. They need the info to set up a tranny that fits YOUR needs.

AlpineRAM

 

Any DD clutch will be sloooooooooow at the drag strip. They weigh an average of 80-100lbs and don't shift fast at all. For example, my truck makes 600hp and I have driven a best 14.03 quarter with the SBC DD. The same 600hp in an automatic can run low 12's if driven right. If you're totally into sled pulling every weekend and just drag racing once a year, I'd still go automatic if you intend on daily driving.

To be totally honest, expect to spend $3500-6000 to have an automatic that actually lasts for the abuse you want. The best thing you can do is call each major vendor and tell them what you told us. Call ATS, DTT, Goerend and Suncoast. Tell them exactly what you're wanting to do and ask how much. The good vendors will give you a ball-park price. The bad vendors will tell you they don't know until they see the truck.

If you're still considering a manual after all that, I'd consider selling my DD and built tranny.

JMO,
brandon.

 

If you want a good sled pulling tranny: www.haisleymachine.com
They use an ATS triplelok converter and "other" custom parts to make their pulling trannies.
The Haisley street trucks pretty much clean up at the pulls in Indiana and there all Automatics!