Awesome let us know how it goes

 

On the flexplate, have them check run-out when it is bolted to the crank. If it is SFI approved, they spun the flexplate up to 12.5K RPM's to ensure dynamic stability....

Please let everyone know how you like the Branting single-disk converter.

I have personally spoke with Fred West of F & S Transmission and he is one smart fellow. I am a VERY informed customer on this stuff (read: mechanical engineer) and he was able to answer every question that I had for him.

I plan to use the Branting single disk and have F&S build my trans in the future, barring this review of course

 

Ok, Update #1

Truck went into the shop last night. I had personally spoken with the owner of Branting before buying the converter and he told me that when my trans guy ordered my converter he would send over a stator that he had cut so that I could see the difference if I wanted. I took him up on it, but since it has been a couple weeks since we spoke I wouldn't have been surprised if he forgot.

Well I got to the transmission shop that is doing the work and as soon did the owner went and grabbed the stators, a new stock one and the one that had been cut at Branting. It was not at all what I expected, the stators are rather small. His stator is cut, or rather milled on the top and bottom of each blade, kind of hard to describe the cuts and I have never seen anyone elses modified stator so I have nothing to compare it to except the stock one. I guess it is the result of years of development. He bought the business from his father, anyhow this is the 3rd version of the stator and they have all gotten progressively better.

The trans shop owner who I have known for a few years explained a little how it improved coupling and explained that another major part of the improved coupling is the tolerances inside the converter. The stock converters have poor coupling as a result of the stator design as well as the spacing or tolerances. Branting remedies this both by milling the stock stator as well as tightening the tolerances in the converter.

We took the PRW flexplate over to my converter and laid it on top, fit looked great. Center hole of the plate fit perfectly on the torque lug of the converter and all holes lined up. The plate laid completely flat on the brand new billet front cover. They said they would check the run out, but that it looked great and if it sat that flat on the brand new converter front he didn't see any issues.

So that's where we are. There is a huge storm here in Denver right now. I was planning to get the truck back tomorrow, but I guess that all depends on how much work they get done today and tomorrow. In fact most businesses are closing early, so who knows. I will keep you up to date.

 

What did Branting rate their single disk for HP/Torque? Was he able to state a stall speed for it as well? Most cut stators will have a lower stall than stock (tighter coupling.)

The flexplate has my interest peaked as well.....

I have read the posts in another thread stating that the pump got torn up b/c the flexplate required a custom converter and such.....

Along with run-out, also have them check the converter mounting face height of that plate against the stock one.

I was going to have a laminated one built at sourceautomotive.biz for $100 more but if this one works out than I'll go this route.

 

They didn't really give me a rating on it. Although he did tell me that another local guy is running one and he is supposedly near the 800hp mark, he said he doesn't really intend them to work on that high of an HP truck, but that is what the truck owner told him.

Yeah I read the same posts, they made me a little nervous, but there were no real straight answers. A billet converter is way thicker than stock and I would imagine its thicker than the PRW one so I don't think there is much worry about that.

 

As long as the run out is pretty close, and the converter is still in the pump you should be good to go.... or you will find out soon enough if not.

I talked to the Branting Ind. fellow and got the same story, some high HP local truck, blah, blah, blah. As long as the fluid coupling is tighter than the stock one and the lock up actually has some oomph to it I'll be happy enough

 

Interestingly enough I tracked down that kid that is running the converter, he likes to talk about his truck. Its a 2nd gen with quite a bit of stuff done to it, running twins etc. Sounded like he had the stuff to make somewhere in that neighborhood of power. I've never met him in person or anything so I took it at face value.

Either way I'm not looking to support that much so it sounds like I will be ok.

 

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/1083118996.html

Is this the truck?

 

Funny enough it is. When I talked with him it didn't sound like he was selling it.

 

Well let me ask you this....

What are your goals/expectations for power holding with this set-up? 5-600HP is easliy done w/ a 3rd gen.

 

What is the cost of this converter?

 

That 12valve is a 450 to 650 HP rig, depending on how well he can tune.

 

I am watching how this will all work out as well. I would like to get the trans done on the truck I just bought. Wanted to go with someone local to Colorado. Sounds like Fred West would be a great option. I too am interested in how this converter works out. Does Brantling offer a triple disc converter?

 

Almost sounds like Branting owes Z a bit of a discount. If this converter holds, I have a feeling Branting's phone will become busy. I know Im watching it like a hawk. Good to see Z stepped up and went on a limb. Also good to see maybe we finally have an affordable converter thats not overkill for most of us on a budget.

 

JRD you have a point there, over 2,100 views to this thread when i clicked on it so im sure others will buy his stuff if this works out alright..

Z thanks for this write up, and im keeping my fingers crossed that this works out well. would be a good thing to see!