What are some good upgrades for the `93 518 trans.Or would it be advisable to swap to a Getrag.

 

An upgraded torque converter would be at the top of the list.A LARGE fan assisted cooler,temperature guage and a deep trans. pan for starters. I am not up on internal stuff so I can't help you there.

 

You could spend a ton of money in there if you want to.

http://www.redrider.us/518_parts.htm

 

A second gen. flex plate, a tighter torque converter, a shift kit or a performance valve body and a deeper oil pan. The tighter torque converter will go a long ways towards lowering the transmission fluid temps. If you are towing heavy or spend a lot of time at stop lights, an additional cooler will also help. If you really want to upgrade, I was told by a transmission expert to get and rebuild a 47RH. It is more robust and it has a lockup torque converter that can be made to work in the older trucks. I elected to not go that route because of the additional cost. So far I haven't broken the A518. But I am working on it.

 

A 47rh conversion would be the best mod I could think of!! Sorry.

 

I have to agree, a properly built 47RH is the way to go(it won't last long if its not). I've never messed with an A518, I skipped right to a 47RH about 2 years ago.

 

What all has to be changed to swap from a 46RH/A518 to a 47RH/A618? I had thought it was a straight bolt-up but some info floating around other sites says a guy would have problems with clearance for torque converter, or need a different adapter plate etc. What's the real deal? I'm thinking they all use the same adapter and the rest is related to the tranny bellhousing so again, straight bolt-up job?

 

Read this first, https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d.php?t=114702
detailed write up I did a while ago on the subject.

 

Ummm, not a bolt-up.... THANKS, JD, that's excellent tech!