Thanks again for all the info guys, the tranny does feel kinda mushy, I can tell I have more power than I'm getting to the ground. It may be wierd, but seems the firmest in overdrive. Still love the truck, though... I guess when the tranny goes then I can do a little beefing up on it ;D thanks again

 

I just got a '98 with a 12v and auto 4x4. I was not happy at all with the performance pulling my 24' travel trailer. It shifted on every hill, rpms increased to about 2200 as I slugged my way up the hills. This sounds exactly like what will fail the tranny per Tom. <br><br>I'm having a fuel plate put in it. I'm wondering if the real problem is the tranny? How much money will I be into this to have a decent trailer puller? <br><br>It has an exhaust brake with the 90lb springs and torque converter lockout on it. Other than that, it is all stock with 54,000 miles and oversized 305 tires.<br><br>Any thoughts I'd appreciate as a rookie ctd driver.

 

An aftermarket valve body and torque converter would definately help. Don't just replace the TC without the VB as you need higher line pressures to keep from slipping the TC. The new TC will lower the stall speed closer the max engine torque.

 

is this a high dollar upgrade vssman, in other words, do I wait till the thing goes out to do it, or just get it over with now? Mine sounds just like krauser's, and I already have a plate in it. doesn't seem to be doing any good if the tranny won't get it to the ground [undecided]

 

By the way vssman, how do those airhorns sound, bet they get people's attention! ;D

 

vssman is right... a single disk wont hold without line pressures, but the prices are very competative with other performance converters (at about $900).<br><br>a triple disk converter runs for about $1400 in which you wont need the higher line pressures to hold the *lockup clutch*. the stator is also a better design for acceleration. however, if you're upping the power some and adding a triple disk, i'd recommend still upping the line pressures for the *internal clutches* (hey, it's almost free besides the extra atf that you have to refill with).<br><br>Tom

 

thanks 98, that's not as bad as I thought. 8)

 

I found out I only have 20 psi max boost, something wrong with the waste gate apparently. Since I'm into it, I'm thinking of going with a larger hot housing and having a torque plate put in as well. Can the waste gate be adjusted? If so, how is that done? Any ideas?

 

[quote author=Krauser link=board=16;threadid=13121;start=15#129888 date=1050813177]<br>I found out I only have 20 psi max boost, something wrong with the waste gate apparently. Since I'm into it, I'm thinking of going with a larger hot housing and having a torque plate put in as well. Can the waste gate be adjusted? If so, how is that done? Any ideas? <br>[/quote]<br><br>Since the wastegate actuator is set from the factory at about 17psi, your boost is very healthy for a stock truck.<br>Upping the boost without adding more fuel won't make any more power. The boost rule of thumb is 1lb/10hp, so your 180hp truck needs about 18psi. Put in a 275hp plate, then you need about 27-30psi.<br><br>A larger turbine housing (exhaust housing) will actually reduce boost since the turbo isn't being driven as hard. You would only want to go bigger if engine modifications make the housing a limiting factor. Maybe to help lower EGTs if you're towing. For instance, I am going with a 14cm2 housing, ATS manifold, Banks Twin-Ram, Banks Power Elbow, 4&quot; downpipe, full 4&quot; exhaust, and a better air intake- all to get more flow through the engine. With my hybrid turbo (HX40 compressor housing &amp; pinwheel) and 370 injectors, I'm actually making too much boost with the 12cm2 housing, at times barking the turbo. Even though I have an adjustable boost controller that limits the maximum boost by opening the wastegate as needed. Currently running a K&amp;N filter in the stock box, I pull 16-20in of vacuum on the filter minder any time I get into it hard.<br><br>Anyway, a fuel plate, boost controller, and maybe a set of 3k governor springs will definitely wake up your ride.<br><br>As for the auto tranny, you can put in a shift kit like I did, get higher rpm shifts, and more holding pressure for the clutches and bands. It will help you get away with more power. However, at some point if you keep it up (BOMBing) like me, you'll have to go for the $$$ parts.