Guys I need some honest answers here so please hear me out. Right now my truck is completely stock except for gutting the cat. I've been looking at the TST torque plates. On their website they show that a #10 plate would add an additional 50 hp and 185 ft/lbs of torque. The #6 plate would add 70 hp and 215 ft/lbs of torque for my application. From what they say on their website, the stock automatic should handle either one of these upgrades. Would I be sending my tranny to an early grave by increasing power by this amount? I realize that any power increase will put more strain on the transmission, but what could I get by with? My truck has 93,000 miles on it and I would like to get as much out of the stock transmission as possible. Thanks for the help.

 

A #10 plate is great, however it will be pushing the limits of your stock tranny :- ...but a decent power increase...baby that lockup clutch that will be the first sign of problems ..on my 95' {different pump}..i had a zero plate and DD4's for about 2 months with 110,000 miles on it at the time and it lasted ok til i beat it in O/D...so just keep an eye out

 

Yea, you will probably shorten the life of your tranny. When you get more power you will want to use it. At those miles there ain't a lot of life left. I have the same set-up as you only I have about 158,000 and the tranny was rebuilt at about 98,000 miles and it is beginning to show signs of impending death. I have a #8 plate full forward and the timing is about 16*. If I get the boost above 10 to 12 psi the tranny starts to shudder in overdrive. If I lock out O/D I have seen 34psi boost. I was hoping to get a DTT tranny this fall, but now I need surgery for a pinched nerve in my neck and also for a torn rotator cuff in my right shoulder so I'm hoping for next spring.
Tom

 

DJ,
I think your 96' auto would not be long for this world it you upgrade to anything without addressing the transmission issues. You have 90 something thousand miles on the trans, and thats well past the mid point on it's life cycle. I don't know if you tow or not, but there is nothing harder on a transmission. I'm almost certain, that with the use your trans has on it now, it would not last long with any up grade in power. Best advise I could give you is start a trany fund, and save till you can afford it. Upgrade the trany and take into consideration any future mods you might want to make, that way you will not be spending more money down the line. Once that is taken care of, start with your mods, taking into account your present needs.

 

I have a 1996 reg cab 4x4 with 340k miles and has never had a tranny in it and has been going on about 20k without a plate and it seems to be just fine the key to the tranny is fluid change every 15-20k miles it only cost $18.00 for the filter and fluid,and also be sure you blow out the cooler as well cause they will clog and smoke the tranny...just take the plate out and put it in the glove box and hammer down!!!!! ohh i also pull a 6500# load 2 times a week with mine over 400 miles..

 

Diesel James, the TST #8 should give you the 50/185 increase with your 180 hp engine. A #10 would be less than 50/185.

 

I have the same truck. I'm running a #4 plate and turning 37" Swampers with a stock trans

172K so far and no problems (knock on wood). Waiting on a new trans before doing 370's and a bigger turbo.

Did the tranny service last month and the pan was clean with the exception of the typical sludge around the magnet, and not much of that.

Guess maybe I'm one of the lucky ones......