I put one of them into my truck early on, around the 35K on the clock and I have had it in there with the shift kit/valve body mods for almost 60K miles with no problems. I am happy with it and especially happy with the price. I wish I had put in a heavy duty flexplate when I had the tranny out but that was not a commonly recognized problem at the time. I was able to get everything done to the trans including labor for a little over $1000. Unless I get into racing often or well over the power I develop now I would not see a need to spend $1300-1500 on just a torque converter, which is what the brand name coverters go for.

 

Kevin,

Eric is correct the front face of the converter is billet, I guess that is because that is where the most stress is on the converter, where it bolts up to the flexplate. I do know that Tim Holt that gave the list of parts for the tranny upgrades uses them and recommended their parts. I had not heard of then before that. I am happy with mine and it has served me well for what I do. I know if I increase the HP much more than what I have or start taking my truck to the races I will have to go full billet (shafts, etc) but will also have to look into a full DTT build. I have used this primarily for towing 26K gross and it has performed just like Tim said it would. Again I was also very happy with the pricing on everything too. I was done with all upgrades and labor for what most folks just spend on a TC. That Axiom TC was I think $369 with an $80 core if I remeber correctly. The other parts were about $200 and the labor was $350, a friend of mine did it. Of course I had to put a Mag-Hytec pan on and add the cost for fluid too. Tim Holt, I think, is a member here, very smart guy and happy to help out, great guy. The Axiom TC listed is a SINGLE disc TC, from what I have heard they have made a triple disc since I did my installation but I do not know that for a fact nor do I know the part number.

Below is a list of parts and what needs to be done to get it all taken care of.
Valve Body/Torque Convertor upgrades for 48RE transmission:

Parts required – Superior VB Kit (99-up A500/618), Superior part # K500-618-L
Sonnax Pressure Regulator Valve, Sonnax #22771-A-02K
Sonnax Manual Valve, Sonnax #22771-09
Sonnax 4-Spool Convertor Valve, Sonnax #22771A-01
ATC/Repco Torque Convertor, ATC/Repko #CR70X-S1

Installation:

1 – Install VB kit as per instructions, with the following exceptions:

a – Do not drill the Pressure Regulator valve wall as directed – install
Sonnax Pressure Regulator.

b – Do not drill the valve body casting for the manual valve supplied with
the kit – install Sonnax Manual Valve.

c – Replace 4-Spool Lockup Valve with Sonnax 4-Spool Convertor valve.

d – Line pressure setting using the blue spring is set with the aluminum
gauge provided that is also used to measure cut for the throttle valve.
Set the stop halfway to max for use with the heavy duty S1 convertor.
Not necessary to ramp line pressure to the max setting.

2 – Remove the cooler line check valve; Sonnax PR valve moves check valve into
VB. Original check valve is in one of the cooler lines at metal/rubber connection at the fender well, and is part of the coupler.

3 – Replace stock Torque Convertor with ATC/Repco convertor.

The Superior VB kit and Sonnax valve set works extremely well on all model RWD/OD Dodges.

1 – Keeps the TC charged at full throttle and fluid flow at max.
2 – Allows for extended idle in Park by allowing for full fluid circulation, unlike
the stock setup.
3 – These modifications are highly recommended with any rebuild and are perfect
for the lower stall S1 convertor, and work extremely well for lockup.

Call Bobby at AXIOM in Charlotte NC (800) 633-3340 to order parts

 

I had the shift kit setup for towing when it was installed, I did not want neck braking shifts, it has good solid shifts and it has provided me with much better trans performance than the stock setup. No hunting between shifts like from the factory and a much more solid feel. I also did not like that the factory setup didn't lube the converter at idle, which I do a lot of while loading my trailer.

Please note this is for a do it yourselfer or a budget minded person that is willing to do some work, it also helps to have a knowledgable trans guy. If you want a BRAND name converter and dont want to do any work yourself then this is not for you. That list of mods and parts is for a 2004 48re. If you have anything other than that to be sure these mods will work you will have to ask Tim Holt. I am very happy with this setup and the cost, so it is an option for anyone that is willing to do a little bit of work rather than pulling out the check book and donating thousands to the local performance shop just to say you have a brand name converter. Just my opinion.

 

Kevin,

Dont thank me, I am just passing on info from Tim Holt. He can give you specifics for your year model and please keep in mind that I did these mods in 2004 to my truck and the parts listed are for a 2004 moedl so they may be different for your year. I am sure there are better mods and parts now depending on what you want out if it. One thing I wish I had done when I had my trans out was put a heavy duty flexplate in there, something I would recommend you look into. It really depends on what you intend on doing with your truck, any track time or major pulling, I would say to go ahead and do it, I wish I had. Take it easy, George