WOW I paid like $118 from Cummins Cumberland for my second gen plate just a while back. Don't buy from a Dodge dealer they are usually higher than the other suppliers. I looked the part # up on here and went to Cummins they checked the # and it had been superceded to a different part #. But when I got it it had both #s on it. I think you need to shop around.

Here is the thread about mine being cracked. cracked flexplate

 

I think that sounds like what a dealer might want for one. One from Cummins should cost much less as Mudcat said. I have one from PDR and only paid $150+ shipping a year ago. It sure is a nice upgrade from the stock 1st gen plate.

 

Thanks for the responses! I was thinking that the Hughes would be the best one, but I wanted to get some opinions.

 

I'm running behind on my replys due to work schedule and the added aggrevation of no longer being able to hook up with DTR at work. They have blocked us out.
I just hung up the phone with Hughes Performance. Mack was very helpful. The 24xfm has been discontinued in favor of the 15xfm which is not yet listed in their catalog. A new catalog is in the works. The 15xfm is a non locking TC that can handle up to 750 lbs/ft and only has 6 to 8 percent slip. But, they still don't have any cores. It will be a 3 to 4 day turn around once they receive your TC. UPS can handle the TC provided there is no leakage. If you decide to ship via UPS, drain as much fluid out as possible, stuff a rag into the inlet spline and double bag it before you put in a box and there shouldn,t be a problem. Hope this helps, I think I am going to do this in June if I can find a lift that I can use. Working under 4 tons on jack stands scares me.

 

Boatnik,

Please let us know if you do this and how it goes (as I'm sure you will). I've been mulling over a Hughes TC for quite some time now. Seems to be the most bang for the buck. I'm making good power, but I think I'm generating waaaay too much heat pulling over the passes here in Colorado. And it's overloading my cooling system. I keep telling myself that I can't spend any money on other fun stuff (turbo, injectors, etc.) till I get the TC fixed...since it won't do any good anyway seeing as I can't get the power to the ground!

And, hey, thanks for this info.

 

I just got my 15XFM converter from Hughes this afternoon and I think it is NEW as Junior at hughes told me that converters are made to order and there was no core charge and no instructions to return a core.The only charge on the slip is the part and $43. to get it from AZ. to Mass.

 

If anyone gets one of the Hughes TC's let us know what you think. Been thinking I want one too.

 

Any updates after people installed the Hughes converters? I'm in the market for one and would like to hear what improvements people have experienced.

 

I've has mine in for about 1400 miles now. I've been really happy with it. I still haven't towed anything, and my truck isn't really bombed. I did see about a 2-3mpg increase on the highway, and maybe a one mpg increase in town, with that and a shift kit being the only mod to the whole drivetrain. It also seems to cruise down the highway alot smoother. Used to be 70-75 was about the max to be really confortable without the engine just screaming, now I've caught myself doing 80-90 if I don't watch it, the RPMs seem to be lower, I don't have a tach, so I couldn't tell ya exact numbers there.

 

In your sig it says "Hughes 92% lock converter". Are all the Hughes TC's for the 518 92% or is yours a custom made one? I remember reading that someone had called Hughes and they said their TC's for the 518 were classified as about 90%.

 

92% lock is what they told me it was when I ordered it. I told them that I didn't plan on doing alot of towing and wanted something farely tight. The model I got was a 15xfm i do beleive. As far as I know its not "custom" so to say. I asked them how tight it was and they said it would be about 92%. I'm sure they can set one up for you however you'd like. Their customer service is A1, I would recommend them to anyone.

 

Sweet! Thanks for the feedback. I'm pretty set on getting a Hughes converter this winter.

Does anyone know if a 92% TC is too tight for towing? What's the real difference between towing with an 89% and a 91/92%? It's hard to believe the almighty Cummins would have problems getting a load going with a tight TC.

 

i just got my Goerends in in my 727 and I love it. It costs some money but it is sure nice!!!!!!

 

I've got quotes from both Goerend and Hughes. Hughes was $299 for theirs, they also said they would beef up the mounting pads for that price. I'd have to send mine in to get it done, as they still do not have any cores as of 8/29. Goerend quoted me $550. Is it worth it to spend almost TWICE as much on a converter? I'm on somewhat of a budget, but I'd hate to have to do this twice. I'm gonna be running a good amount of power (power pin, DDP stage IV, HTT stave IV, just normal stuff like that).

 

Well, I don't know too much about the Hughes converter, but I really do love my Goerends. When you buy from Dave you also get his knowledge and his warranty!!!! Dave is a first rate guy!!