I am going to install a goerend trans is it nessary to install the beefed up flex plate . The trk is a 01 Dodge 2500 Quad cab . About all i'll be doing is pulling a 8000lb 5th wheel an some farm work an I run a Edge EZ set on the lowest setting . The trk has about 150 K but has lived a easy life . Just wondering if its a rule of thumb when installing a performace inhanced trans ?

 

Why don't you call Dave? He will give you an honest professional answer.

 

I have talked with one of his techs when I ordered my trans . I guess what got me to secound guessing myself I seen it on there site an ordered it too come with my trans . BUt i've had a unexspeced things come up an thought I might cut that from my wish list . An then I remembered that when we ordered my sons 48 RE for his 06 this summer it was never mentioned . Don,t get me wroung in no way am I suggesting that goerend is trying to push anything on me I mean its a no brainer that it would be better. I was just wondering if most people do upgrade when installing anyones performace inhanced trans ? I won't ever be doing any major high HP up grades above what I have now other
than maybe exhaust an a cold air intake for economy . I'm just testing the waters to see what the general rule of thumb is from folks that have been there done that an got the tee shirt thanks . GEO

 

I think probably part of it is most people say they aren't going to up their game when they first start playing, and later they do. It is easiest to change it out now.

If you don't actually abuse it, you will be fine...........And you will be roughly 1 percent of the population ( yea, I pulled that number out of the air.... ) who can run a modified Cummins and a good tranny and not whip on it for fun...

 

I know what your saying patdaly I just haven't heard many mention flex plates when talking about there trans upgrades .

 

I don't know if its the same flywheel/flexplate as in a 92, but a few years after I change my trans out I heard a ticking noise followed by a few days later the plate breaking out the center.
When I went to Dodge to buy the part I asked their old time trans guy why his comment was "you pull heavy loads and have already gone thru one trans, it shouldn't be a supprise".

If I replace the trans in my 01, I will definatly replace the flywheel/flex plate

 

Thanks the flex plate is what the automatics use an what he said makes since .

 

Yea imagine my supprise when I dropped the trans & converter and saw a hole in my flex plat the size of your leg

 

Whole center was cracked i'm guessing . Was this on a stock OEM transmission ? I have a choice of buying a new one with beefed up center tigged in or buying the plate an haveing it welded onto my old plate . I'm leaning toword buying theres. Thanks for your input

 

The truck I broke the plate in was a 92 with the old 2 valve engine, very stock, driven by adults, often with trailers up to 8000#.

The 4V engines do make a bit more HP & torque, but not that much more and I don’t know if Chrysler/Cummins put in a beefier plate on the 4V motors.

Yes I would definatly change the flex plate if I were changing a trans with a lot of miles on it. I would look at the old plate before I tossed it, and see if there are any signs of cracking or stress. too.

I have been told it is very, very rare to bust a flex plate, I personally would not put in a beefed up plate that had additional steel welded into the center of it. I would be concerned about the stress that once was spread across the plate and now put at the edge of the weld, remember the weld changes the temper of the steel too.

 

This plate actually goes too the outer edges an the welds are tigged there . Its like a template matching right up to the hole pattern an spanning the plate , a stiffner you might say . But like you say an what got me inquireing is I just haven,t read or heard much mention of flex plates failures or beefed up aftermarket plates . I,ve got until next Tuesday to make up my mind to have it sent with my trans or get the plate an have it tigged to my old plate . I,m surprized more folks haven't commented . I guess in away it sounds trivial , meaning I certainly would be upset if I had to pull the trans again to replace a broken plate later . But when spending what it cost for one of these good transmissions the money adds up fast with add ons .

 

..........Its like the pay me now or pay me later saying, u only want to do this once...its all about down time.......kim......

 

Maybe a good compromise would be a new stock plate? You'd be starting the "fatigue clock" at zero...

 

I have to agree. and from one who had to pull the trans shortly after replacing......"it's just good insurance"....anyway you go. And mine is a 4 wheel drive so I had to deal with skid plates and transfer cases.

If I remember the factory plate was about $100, and I always try to get a discount at the parts counter.

 

When I installed my Goerend trans. 2 years ago I asked Dave Goerend the same question. I said I would be moding the engine to get 300 to 350 hp to the ground. He said a beefed up flex plate wasn't needed however I may need a new stock flexplate because it is common for bolt holes to elongate (rattle of the diesel causes it) on trucks with over 100,000 miles. So it may be a good idea to change if there is any signs of elongation of the holes.