RJ285

I am saving for a built trans, but I'm wondering if I should buy a torque converter now, put it in my stock trans, and then switch it out when I do the trans upgrade. Will just a torque converter help shift quality/ability to handle horsepower? Would a tighter converter put too much stress on my input shaft? Just looking for some feedback or personal experience. Thanks.

Nate-03 D

If your going to spend the money on a converter I would do it right the first time and stick a good one in it.

Or wait until you get the money for a full build and do it all in one shot.

Just curious, who are you looking at building your trans?

RJ285

Luckily, HTS is right by me in Lowel. I'll probably go with them for the trans but I'm not positive who I'd go with for the converter.

Nate-03 D

I beleive HTS runs Suncoast converters...(I think) Just by reading around here you hear alot of ranting and raving about HTS/Suncoast, Goerend, DTT

I've even seen a couple posts about a place named Opie transmissions. Apparently he does top notch work.

Are you putting in a tripple disk converter?

http://www.opieparts.com/index.htm

06RAM2500

Got an ATS triple disc, and it locks up hard. Just be careful cause you may end up w/ a busted input shaft. Now as far as handle power, made a huge difference when it locked. Just have to lay off the throttle before it does though.

j-fox

If you get a converter, get the VB also.

RJ285

A VB in combination with the converter is good for what hp level?

06RAM2500

Don't really know much about em though, but from what I read, they help w/ line pressure and firmer shifts.

RJ285

I want to do this right so I only buy parts once. The goal is 700hp and being able to turn down to 500ish. The truck will see some drag time and alot of rompin' around the neighbor hood. Full billet trans is necessary, but should I do the entire trans at once, or can I buy in pieces at the time when my hp level requires it?

Neight

I have heard up to 500hp if you drive it like a sane person. But I don't know if that's true anyone have an answer?

06RAM2500

I kinda like to know to if you can reuse a VB. Late w/ the post. 474 is about all mine can take. 2nd gear slips bad if I drag race, then when the TC locks it wants to FUBAR my input shaft.

Nate-03 D

What do you mean? Like upgrade the rest of the tranny but leave the stock one alone?

I beleive, for most companies if you purchase a VB from them you have to send yours in and you get your refundable core back. Almost all the VB's that are being sold are re-manufactured. I guess the shop just gets your VB, tweaks it to a degree and sells it to the next cat along the line.

Neight

From what I have been told is that if you drive it like a sane person you can go up to 500hp. I don't know if this is true anyone confirm this

HighStakes

IMO....you should build the transmission all at once. Looking at the HP goal/racing aspect, if you are gonna spend the money on a TQ, you may as well have the entire trans rebuilt. You would not want to have something else break and take the new TQ with it. Trans rebuilds are built from torque measurements, and not necessarily HP. So you will need it built to handle at least 1000 ft lb +. If you don't have the coin for a total build, I would wait and take it easy on the stock trans. You will want the full set up.....TQ, VB, shift kit, clutches, intermediate, output, input billet shafts, etc. If you don't replace the shafts, those will become the next weak links.

It can be costly at one swipe, but I'm with you as far as doing it right the 1st time. If you piece part it, you will be putting a greater strain on the remaining parts.

06RAM2500

Actually what I meant was is if you could reuse it in a built tranny so you didn't have to buy another one.