I plan on some more upgrades if the Juice/Attitude come out by the time I'm still able to breath. With all the talk of the 48RE being the weak link where are the "problem" thresholds? I hear a lot about $4k+ transmission upgrades-w-bombing and cannot imagine the added cost. If I drive around town and occasionally run 1/4 mile races will I drop my tranny-w- 400hp and 700ft/lbs? Are there not stronger trannys out there for less than thins kind of money that will bolt up. Also I have a ques about synthetic fluid. It doesn't make sense but will running synthetic help prolong tranny health? Of course it won't stop something from breaking but maybe somewhere in the tranny it could lessen the shock that could send a tranny into scrapsville?

 

Many of us have asked this same question.
When you start adding power the Cummins really blows thru the converter. A lower stall/tighter converter will be the best improvement you will do to the drivetrain.
After this is done you will find the front two clutches in the trans will slip, as they are the smallest in clutch area. Many people think it was the converter clutch slipping but upon teardown/ inspection it wasn't. This is the usual case.
So for the long haul if you want torque just plan on doing the auto trans and get it over with!
Call the trans companies and buy from who you are comfortable with.
I have talked with several and have an opinion but I don't want in the trans war that is to follow. PM me for my experience!!

 

It would seem to me these modified converters and / or clutches should be available through the general market no? I can't imagine there is not a converter out there w/o the specs we need. How much is an improved converter and will it put more hp to the rear wheels? If all the hard core parts are purchased can they not be installed locally? Again $4k for a trans is out of my league. I still have a ton of waranty on mine and don't want to bring it in to the dealer after drag racing

 

You can get a good rebuild kit from Suncoast around 500.00 but you have to get the converter and valve body . I here the valve body is were the magic is . Than you can have a local guy install them. If it aint broke don't fix it . Untill the warrenty runs out.
Steve

 

There are MANY TC's and VB's out there that will do the job, specifically designed for our high torque motors. Personally, I plan to install a DTT TC and VB when I put a box on my 3rd gen. After having driven trucks with a BOMBed tranny, there is no comparison. Even at stock HP you'll gain several seconds in the 1/4 mile with a new TC/VB... that's just how sloppy the stock slushbox is. You can plan on spending $600-$1000 on the TC and probably $400-$500 on the VB. If you can install yourself, that's under $2K including oil and a new Mag Hytec pan.

 

I will need to keep this in mind as far as the TC & VB are concerned. Why do you need the pan? Is the VB ready to bolt in or are there mods req'd. I have never rebuilt a trans but have dropped many and can certainly take a pan down?

 

You don't NEED the pan, it just makes regular fluid replacement a LOT easier and it acts as a cooler as well. While you have the whole thing apart, you might as well replace it with something better. Although if saving as much money as possible is the order of the day, then you can definitely skip that upgrade with no problem.

 

Does anyone know how much a mag deep pan lowers the temp?

Thanks Steve

 

How about the 6 speed in the 600 I just got a VIN on? How will they hold up? Did I do right by going with the 6? I have blown ALOT of TCs and cluth packs in my 7.3s. Sombody tell me I'm shifting for a good reason! Thanks Scott

 

I have an auto but from what I have read the worry for you will be the clutch, I think a stock clutch slips with small performance increases.

 

I have done a lot of research and elected to go with the ATS transmission and their triple lock converter. Up till now I am not particually happy as i was supposed to got it Wed then was told Fri and now am assured it will be here Mon . Hopefully it will have been worth the wait.
Suggest if anyone gets one shipped they request it be shipped by someone other than roadway, and then call in the next day to be sure it was sent as promised.

 

I would love to replace my converter and maybe V.B to help out the stock trans, but won't that void the warranty even though I will be helping it live longer

 

I finally got my tranny upgraded. I went to DTT and got trained to be a DTT dealer also. I have alot of customers here that are about to have tranny problems. My tranny now shifts like it should and will hold anything power wise that I throw at it!

John

 

I am getting a slight shudder empty bet 5-10 mph.
With a load or heavy tongue weight the shudder is really ther esp. on takeoff from a hill grade.
It feels like pinion angle thing??Maybe a clutch??


2003 auto diesel 11000 miles
Any help is appr.