Hi,

My 2500 with 190000 miles needs the slipping AT replaced. Mileage down to 14 MPG. My goal is high MPG. What trans solutions do you recommend? Manual?, rebuilt stock AT?, other ideas? After rebuilt AT is installed, what engine mods will increase MPG?

Many Thanks,

 

I just got done doing my own rebuild on my 47re, and I was on a tight budget, I was quoted $2200 for a stock rebuild or $2800 for an "upgraded" valve body and hd converter. I did my rebuild for right at $946.00 . I would say without a doubt if you go automatic, upgrade the vb and get a tighter torque converter. I just did a Transgo Reprogramming kit, and a single disc billet cover converter (Rated for 750 ft. lb. Diesel Application). The converter is remanufactured with a 3 yr, 36,000 mi. warranty for $340.00 at a local trans supply warehouse.

Will it hold a ton of power? Probably not
With what i have done to boost power it holds, shifts, and tows great.
Driving around town the converter is much much more grabby then stock and my mileage has gone up.

Night and day Difference between the converters, Couldnt image how nice it would be to have a Goerend, DTT, ATS built transmission.

If you go automatic go automatic, imho, id be sure to be a good converter and upgrade the VB

The sky is the limit on how much you want to spend, but I definately think I did alright on $946.00

 

I would get your auto rebuilt with at least an upgraded valvebody and billet single disc torque converter. I would be careful who you buy a multi-disc torque converter from. In my opinion, stay with a single disc until you exceed it's power level. The stock TC is junk and should be replaced immediately imo. It was designed for a gas engine and simply can't effectively transfer the power of your diesel to the wheels. Now my belief is that a manual tranny will give you the best fuel economy. So if that's what you're going for then a swap is what you may want, but it's pricey and labor intensive. The difference in fuel mileage may not be that much though.

 

I'm in the same boat, kinda. Tranny quit about 3 months ago, a month after getting new house, thank god I had a spare truck. Tranny is still on the bench, decided to rebuild it. I was going to swap in a 5 spd until about a month ago, when I decided it just wasn't economical. And with all the snow we have been getting and NO PLOW now, rebuilding is a faster option.

I just bought a rebuild kit, alignment shaft and o/d spring tool, steel rear planetary, bands, shift kit, and a few other needed parts for just over $500. Just need the TC and maybe a few other bushings/etc. and I plan on flying under the $1k radar.

BTW, I was getting 20-22 mpg empty when it quit.