hey guys, I have a 1993 CTD auto w/64,000miles, i think its the A508 tranny, if not, it's the one with overdrive. I was wondering how much torque can be put through without damaging it. I was thinking about putting a set of injectors in but im not sure if 100-200 extra ft/lbs will be too healthy for it. Also i was wondering what i could do to increase fuel mileage, i already put a straight pipe on, actually i cut the muffler off at the mid pipe, added a 90 degree ground pounder....any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

My trans is still in working order it has 176K on it, I`ve had a set of POD`s on it since this past Jan (see sig)....no prblems yet (keeping fingers crossed).

 

I have a 91.5 W-250 with the 4-sp. auto. I changed the trans. at 150,000 miles to an ATS with Triple-lock Torque Converter. The original trans. was running as well as when it was new, at the 150,000 mile mark.

When towing 7000 lbs.+ in the mountains, I couldn't get over 45-47 mph going uphill. I had installed a Hughes torque converter which did not help a bit in towing. It was very "grabby" at idle speeds. Had to really stand on the brake to hold it down at stop lights. In their defense, I have heard their "new" torque converters are much better.

I had turned the "adjusting rod" on the injection pump, twice, with small amounts of increased power. Then, I had a fuel inj. shop, here in Phoenix, "recalibrate" the pump, off the engine. That "really" woke it up. I then installed a 16 sq.cm. turbo housing to replace the 21 sq.cm. That made as much difference as the injection pump recalibration.

The new power was real nice empty but, pulling uphill, it was still 45-47 mph. That's when I started investigating the lock-up torque converters. ATS was the only one, at the time, that I found that could do this. It was expensive but, effective. I can now, easily, do 55+ mph up the same hills with the trailer.

I was thinking about the DTT 89% torque conv. but, with my experience with the Hughes TC, I was afraid of getting the same results and was pretty sure the lock-up was the answer, however expensive. In retrospect, the DTT might be a good compromise at a more reasonable cost.

On a side note, I changed back to a stock air fliter from a K&N & lost over 5 lbs of boost. My maximum boost, now, is 25 lbs. Used to, easily, peg the needle on a 30 lb guage. If you live in a dusty environment & are interested in higher boost numbers, the AFE PG-7 might be a good answer. BTW, the K&N was sent back for letting WAY too much dirt in.

My understanding is that the 1st Gen 4-sp auto's last quite awhile because they are never solidly hooked up to the rear wheels. They, however, do get HOT. I know of a number of them with 250,000 trouble-free miles on them. The newer stock lock-up TC's loose clutch material when the lock-up starts to slip and that material gets into the trans & ruins it. The older, non-lock-up's don't have that lock-up clutch material to get into the trans, therefore, the trans lives a longer, but, less effective, life.

Well, that's my 2 cents worth. Hope my experiencees help you.

Joe F.(Buffalo)

 

Sorry, I got a little off subject.

I believe the extra torque & performance will not ALL be directed back to the rear wheels because of the stock torque converter. There is so much slip in that TC that the a good portion of the additional power will be wasted energy. Same thing with the mileage. The extra slip is wasted or turned to heat in the trans.

I've heard that the stock TC is rated as a 60% TC as opposed to DTT's 89% or 91% TC's.

From the experience I've had with my truck, I believe you may be better off spending your money upgrading the TC. Then do the performance enhancements to the engine. Once you can get the power to the ground, then you will get "bang for your buck" from your performance enhancements.

I did it all backwards, with my truck, not realizing the TC was the power robbing problem.

If I am wrong about my opinions & advise, those of you much more knowledgeable than me, please feel free to correct me. Or if you have better suggestions, please share them. I'm just relaying my experiences hoping He doesn't make the same mistakes I did.

Hope this helps.

Joe F.(Buffalo)

 

Stock auto with about 130k, no problems at all, see sig for truck.

 

mine has injectors pumps mod and water inj, plus i pull weekly with it, not a problem yet.

 

242,000 miles, hammer on it every time I drive it. I should be pushing about 350 to the rear wheels right now, but havent put it on the dyno. in a while so I'm just guessing on the h.p. I do four wheel launches at 10 psi boostevery now and then. havent had a problem yet, but I do have the money for a new trans. if I need it.I think you should be ok for a while.

 

After tearing the center out of my flex plate I decided that since I was in there anyway I'd upgrade the TC. Not sure what brand it is but 89% comes to mind.

Anyway the new TC made a noticable difference in the seat-of-pants o' meter. About the same as going from the stock turbo to the 16cm one. Also gained about 2mpg when running empty, more I believe when loaded.

Recently did a trip hauling my slide-in-camper and Jeep on a car trailer thru the rockies into Radium BC. My sister followed in her 2001 Dodge with a 5.9L pulling a 3000# holiday trailer. Pulling over twice the load she was I still got better fuel milage.