so far, i have done all of the free or cheap mods that i can think of as well as some of the other cheap ones. I am selling 2 cars to fund parts for my truck. Before i start putting more money into horsepower, i want to make my truck reliable(it cant be fast if it doesn't move.) My first issue is the transmission. My 518 has approx 4000 miles on a rebuild and already slips hard between 2nd and 3rd. Im installing a shift kit to fix this. My theory is that if i leave my torque converter stock, i will sacrifice some power BUT, i will make the rest of the transmission more reliable due to less shock being transmitted to everything. Is this a valid theory or will i accomplish the same thing simply by limiting horsepower. I understand that either way will put less power to the transmission but again, im thing about the shock. oh for the future, im looking at an htt stage IV, and some cleanish burning 80hp injectors. I have yet to decide what im going to do to supply my injector pump with fuel reliably. I also am picking up a zex nitrous system for 150 bucks. My goal is 380rwhp reliably off the bottle.

 

a slipping converter will add lots of heat to the trans fluid and hurt mileage along with power to the ground

 

i understand about the power loss. To be honest, i have never had any heat issues on a whole towing or not. I live in the desert in so cal. My last transmission was lost due to an exlpoded reverse drum as well as the damage that made its way everywhere else (from what the transmission mechanic told me) Also, my question is if pushing 380hp, wont i need to upgrade shafts, drums, forks, and such if i put in a new torque converter due to the increased stresses transmitted more directly to the driveline. to be honest, if i had a choice, i would just drop an nv4500 in it.

 

from what i understand, yes you are correct, but the more you have the more the converter will slip, so you might have 380hp but it wont make it from the crank to the ground it will add heat, and most likely burn up you new trans, i would call a transmission professional and ask them whats best for your aplication,
or start looking for a nv4500 or getrag,

 

ok, has anyone on this forum successfully converted from auto to manual.

 

would would have a hard time putting 380hp down with the stock converter. What kind of parts was your trans rebuilt with? The 518 can be built to be very stout with upgraded torque converter and better internals.

 

many people have, easy to do, everything bolts in if you use a getrag nv's may be a little different

 

yep, do a search there is lots of info

 

drive out to texas and we can trade trany's, I want an auto and you want a manual. lol

 

LMK if your serious... the shipping isn't *that* bad!

 

I'm in greensboro right now and I've switched my auto to a manual.

 

all new clutches and new drums(the damaged ones) new hd torque converter(feels the same as stock) my truck dynoed 225 at may madness. that was prior to afc cone grind, 16ch housing and methanol. im guesing around 280-300 on methanol right now.

 

Your best bet would be to call Dave Goerend and get one made, tell him what you want and your budget and how much power you wanna make and what the truck is used for and he'll make a converter. archer39's truck has a lot of work to it and on a stock auto he put down 350 hp and its a 400hp truck, to get 380hp on a stock stall converter is gonna be so hard. Get a converter and valve body.

I would go with a complet upgrade valve body instead of just a shift kit.

Dave Goerend transmissions - (563) 778-2719 nice guy to talk to, awesome products

 

I put in the 47rh all stock trans..."for now"... Let me tell you what, when I lock the converter... Holly cow, does it ever put the power to the ground... So, if you want to put power to the ground, spend the money on a good converter, or put in A 47rh and really put the power to the ground... Simply my best mod by far...I can't wait to build the trans up a bit... Then it should get real fun!!!

don't quote me on this, but a few months back THe Diesel power boys put a new high performqnce converter and made like 60-70 hp and 150 ft lbs of torque more on the same motor settings in project rust bucket... I'm not 100% on the exact numbers, ut it was pretty substantial...

 

350, haha i wish. 304/525. but brandon and everyone else is right. if you don't upgrade to a better torque converter your wasting your money.

mine is so bad right now with my mods it almost pointless to use the skinny petal. I am just hoping it last though the winter (use the truck to plow) then i will be swapping a manual in.