Trans upgrades???
01-18-2008, 02:37 PM
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Trans upgrades???
In the next few months i would like to upgrade my trans. I was thinking new built trans with input shaft. Now because of funds im thinking about just a tc vb and an input shaft. What are the pros and cons of this? I just want to be abel to lock the TC I dont want to do it with a stock trans and converter. I do want to do it often with less worry about my trans leaving me dead. no sled pulls or drags yet. maybe try burnout or two. will this setup work for that? Im also thinking if i go this way that i will go with goerend. But when i do upgrade my trans im planning on going with hts. So should i go with an hts valve body and suncoast converter?
Chris
Chris
01-18-2008, 02:58 PM
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Are you gonna leave the rest of the tranny alone? If so, save the coin and don't get the input shaft. If you're not upgrading any of the internal clutch packs or gear sets, the stock input shaft will be more than enough (jmo). A good torque converter and valvebody are an excellent idea. I'd give one of the builders (Georends, SunCoast, HTS, DTT, Dunrite, etc.) a call and talk to them about what else could/should be up graded at the minimum.
01-18-2008, 04:51 PM
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There is a guy on this site who was running something like 400 ponies with just a valvebody. The reason I feel the input shaft isn't necessary at this point is because I think if anything is gonna let go it'll be the old stock clutch packs. After all they are older and most likely worn.
01-18-2008, 05:33 PM
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Stock transmissions break plenty of shafts. Even more so when using am e-brake.
If you are going to open up a trans, especially a unit with miles on it, rebuild it.
Quite often, an upgraded VB raises the pressures to the point of internal leakage and the following failure. Then the trans shop will most likely want you to use al new parts to get the warranty.
Do it once, do it right. Or do it over and over for many times the cost.
An upgraded input is always a good idea. Since noone stays at the power level they think they will. The output is far easier to fix in the event of a failure.
With the trucks making the power they are today, a TC and VB is just a bandaid.
Dave
If you are going to open up a trans, especially a unit with miles on it, rebuild it.
Quite often, an upgraded VB raises the pressures to the point of internal leakage and the following failure. Then the trans shop will most likely want you to use al new parts to get the warranty.
Do it once, do it right. Or do it over and over for many times the cost.
An upgraded input is always a good idea. Since noone stays at the power level they think they will. The output is far easier to fix in the event of a failure.
With the trucks making the power they are today, a TC and VB is just a bandaid.
Dave
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01-31-2008, 01:11 PM
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well, i love my suncoast TC! but i think others would be just as good too, it's more of a personal opinion at times, but there are some out there that are junk... just my $.02
01-31-2008, 07:50 PM
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HTS or Goerend seem to be the main trans builders for our trucks. Have heard a lot of good things about Goerend. I used HTS because he is only an hour drive from my place.
01-31-2008, 08:27 PM
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02-01-2008, 12:34 AM
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Believe me, stock shafts will break with stock clutches. See above picture
And I have said it many times, but I guess i will go through it again....
IF your transmission is in decent shape right now, then the addition of a valve body, and torque converter will be fine for 350hp or so. I have been running a VB and TC for about 35k miles now, on a tranny that probably had 50k miles or so on it when i bought the truck. It has made a huge difference, and really puts the power down now. I haul loads, drive the truck every day, sled pull a few times a year, and drag race it, and it has been flawless other than breaking the input shaft. The tranny is still going good too. Doesent miss a beat.
YES, a valve body increses line pressure, but I spoke with Dave Goerend about this. He said a stock tranny runs like 200psi of line pressure in reverse, and an aftermarket VB only runs like 150psi in the forward gears, so your seals are already used to seeing this kind of pressure unless you never use reverse.
Now a TC and VB will not save a tranny that has clutch placks and seals in really bad shape, but if you have a transmission that is in decent shape, then these upgrades will make the truck a whole new animal to drive, and greatly increase the longevity of your transmission. I drive my truck pretty hard, and mine is still doing good. I have no doubt that it would last a long time for someone that drove pretty easy normally, and just raced someone ocasionally.
It just gets old hearing people say it is a band aid and that it is not a good idea to spend your money this way. Not everyone has 4k to spend on a built tranny. I will have a built tranny before too long, but im wanting to start competing more too. For a daily driver and a truck that gets beat pretty good on the weekends i think my transmission has been dang good. If you want to look at it this way, even a built tranny is a band aid, because the clutches still wear in them, so eventually you will still be replacing them.
Sorry for the rant, but I have had experience with the setup he was asking about, so I figured i would help out a little.
Oh, and I highly reccomend Goerend. He is awesome to deal with.
Eric
02-01-2008, 01:28 AM
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It just gets old hearing people say it is a band aid and that it is not a good idea to spend your money this way. Not everyone has 4k to spend on a built tranny. I will have a built tranny before too long, but im wanting to start competing more too. For a daily driver and a truck that gets beat pretty good on the weekends i think my transmission has been dang good. If you want to look at it this way, even a built tranny is a band aid, because the clutches still wear in them, so eventually you will still be replacing them.
This is true. But, if this guy is even considering racing or sled pulling and is asking about the maximum amount of HP it will hold, it is most likely a bandaid if he is going to go to a fully built unit anyway. As far as not being a wise investment, again, this goes back to the original question. Since he is thinking about a built trans down the road, he needs to be sure any parts he buys now can be reused in the new unit.
I hate to see people spend their money twice. Especially when they tell you they most likely will anyway.
We all know that most transmissions will hold up fine to 350-400HP with a good TC and VB. Go beyond that and he's going to be doing what you are talking about, a fully built unit.
Just clarifying my comments.
Dave
02-01-2008, 10:26 AM
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If you can diy, check the stuff over at PATC and the price of their Ramzilla - same stuff used in the expensive trans's, incl t\c's - save a bunch by doing it yourself - ATSG A500\518\618 46\47RX rebuild manual 30bucks, less from Oregon Performance Transmission on ebay
02-02-2008, 03:25 AM
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This is true. But, if this guy is even considering racing or sled pulling and is asking about the maximum amount of HP it will hold, it is most likely a bandaid if he is going to go to a fully built unit anyway. As far as not being a wise investment, again, this goes back to the original question. Since he is thinking about a built trans down the road, he needs to be sure any parts he buys now can be reused in the new unit.
I hate to see people spend their money twice. Especially when they tell you they most likely will anyway.
We all know that most transmissions will hold up fine to 350-400HP with a good TC and VB. Go beyond that and he's going to be doing what you are talking about, a fully built unit.
Just clarifying my comments.
Dave
I hate to see people spend their money twice. Especially when they tell you they most likely will anyway.
We all know that most transmissions will hold up fine to 350-400HP with a good TC and VB. Go beyond that and he's going to be doing what you are talking about, a fully built unit.
Just clarifying my comments.
Dave
That is the good thing about Dave Goerends stuff. Ill have to pay a small fee because he will have to rebuild my tc and vb to sell as new($200 or so), but I already have half of a built tranny paid for, and the little bit i have to pay extra because of the parts i have used is well worth the amount of use i have gotten out of the parts.
I wasnt trying to bash your opinion at all. I just feel like that for a lot of people who daily drive, do some towing, and occasional drag racing, that a converter and vb in a decent tranny will last a long time
Eric
