To those of you with stock autos, I have a question, but first some background. My mom has a 92 D350 with an auto and 3.54 gears. Just got the pump and injectors redone, and I had the shop flow me (ok, her, but I did the R&R) enough fuel to make around 200-220hp at the flywheel. I realize it wont get up and run like the 5speed in my sig, but it still seems lethargic.

Tranny was rebuilt about a year ago by a local guy with a good reputation, and lots of recommendations. No one had a bad thing to say about his work. But then, only one of about a dozen of said references was a 1st Gen Dodge CTD. Thing was completely worn out (265K, with 190K towing heavy), and got ALL new internals- clutches, planetaries, etc, etc. TC was a stock reman from some outfit in St Louis. I tried to talk Mom into an aftermarket TC, but it "cost too much." I dont think it is any better than it was before- still sluggish til you get up some speed, then you ahve to hold your foot down farther than I think you ought to to keep, say, 65mph. I havent tested the top end since the pump rebuild, but I'd guess it isnt much over 90mph. It would do 100+ bewteen Laramie and Ft Collins when I first got it.

So, how do other 1st Gen autod drive? This thing is totally different from my g/f's 04 Dakota (no real surprise, but it is SO much more responsive). One other thing that bothers me is that when coming up to a stop, you have to come to a COMPLETE stop for a second or two before it will downshift into 1st. Otherwise, it stays in 2nd if you are rolling. SOmetimes, if you just roll into the pedal, staying with slow traffic, it wont go into 1st. Is this normal? I bought it about 7 years and 140K ago, but I dont honestly remember how it behaved then. Dont remember my ex's C6 Ford diesel behaving this way, either. Other than these two, my diesels have been manuals.

Daniel

 

My auto is stock w/114k miles. Slush-0-matic. Once you get into good it will apply toqure, but it takes awhile. Even if you had a stock rebuild you would still get the below par (parts saving sub-par performance just like the bean counters like it) performance. I have to stop and nail it to go into first too from a roll. Oh well, TC upgrade is next.

 

I have considered after I graduate from farrier school and start making some money, make up some ****-n-bull story and get her truck for about 2 weeks and do the upgrades myself.

Kinda sad, but I guess it's good to know I am not alone.

DP

 

Daniel,my trans shifts like a normal auto around town.No need to come to a complete stop before it will shift.When I'm hauling though it seems to take to much of the go pedal to maintain speed,looks like I need a torque converter.Do you think a valve body would be a good idea to? marc

 

Mine is still stock and it will hit first with pedal half way at 15 mph easily. I think you need to adjust the throttle valve a bit. Towing at say 65 with a load does take a lot of pedal to keep it going. Mine is not fast but it gets the job done.


Tips on the throttle valve click here

 

Here's how i have mine set . shifts great around town.
First, adjust high idle screw full out & verify full throttle can be reached.
You may need to move the throttle linkage ball to the inner hole.
Second, hold throttle wide open & set TV cable to full travel.

This is not the factory setup. but it shifts great.
Mine has been set like this for months . . .works great.