Night and day on my rig. Picked up a couple mpgs as well. Saw some decrease in transmission temp also. There's actually a good rpm change between shifts, too. Install wasn't that bad. But I do have a pit and a good tall transmission jack. Hardest part is working the converter to flexplate bolts out. You have to do it through the little hole up by the barring hole. Work one out, turn the engine, work one out, turn the engine.

 

Very cool!!! That is exactly what I wanted to hear......someone with a good success story with this converter. I am planning to keep my 93' fairly mild on the performance side, so I believe the Hughes is the best choice. The main thing is that I want to keep up with freeway traffic empty (60-70mph). The pickup right now struggles to keep up on the road and the only way I can do 65mph is to really mash the pedal.

My question is: Where can I purchase the Hughes 15XFM converter for around $300. without providing a core? I do not have the ability to pull the converter where my truck is now and send it to the Hughes factory. I do have a place to do the install eventually, but everything needs to be done in a weekend. So..........time, location, and cost is a factor for me.

 

I'm not sure you're going to find the 15xfm for a 518 without sacrificing your core first. When I had mine done, they said that cores were non-existent. That's why I shipped mine to them and had them do it. Maybe you could find a used converter from a boneyard first? That could be a better solution. Summit Racing sells them for around $425. But they don't state whether or not there's a core deposit on that, or what the availability is.

 

Good luck finding a diesel trans in a boneyard, expeciallly first gen. LOL.

i saw a 92 diesel truck in the pick n pull one time and everything was removed from the truck, even the front section of the frame where the cummins was, dash was gone.

 

What kind of turn around did you get?

 

It runs in my head that it was pretty fast. You have to ship the converter to Phoenix, so factor whatever distance that may be. I think they had it out the door the day after they received it. It may have been around a week with shipping both ways. Maybe 5 days.

 

There was an old cummins truck at one of the Junkyards near Belfair. Think the trans was still there, the engine head was gone and the interior.

 

Hhhmmm............was this Belfair Auto Wrecking (Kawasaki Green painted place) or Airport Auto Wrecking? Was the transmission in a 1st gen dodge or something else? Thanks

 

Midwest Transmission in Omaha ,Ne. sells a converter for our trucks for $195.00 plus $100.00 core.P/N 5448 LS RV. They also offer a billet cover one for like $300.00 more or $495.00 I have been trying to decide on one as well but don't want to get a turd from someone that knowones ever used. 800-731-4510 is their number if anyones interested.

Vinny

 

Its the green one with the big tire outside. It was in the back of the lot, I barely noticed it as alot of stuff was gone. Was a 1st gen but I think it was an 89 or 90 though.

 

Has anyone used an upgraded converter in a plow truck?

 

I have one of there converters in my truck I bought it right from hughes and got the tightest one they made it works alot better then my stock one that broke something inside of it and sent aluminum throught the trans the turn around was fast but I had to send mine for the core I do have a spare core converter if any one needs from a 93 diesel 518

 

Thanks! Its been ages since I've visited Belfair Auto Wrecking.

 

So let me get this straight..........Hughes makes a tighter converter for the A518 besides the advertised 15XFM?