I dont know anything about the CTD's or the trans. backing them up. I have been considering buying a Dodge mainly to modify with bolt-ons to play with and possibly for a sideshow for a dyno shop I hope I can build. I have heard of tranny failures with certain year models. Out of the 3 gens, which one seems to take the bolt-on performance the best. Which is the most powerful and reliable. A link to a page of recipe-for-performance for which ever it may be would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

if you want reliability and cheap bolt on performance go for a 12v cummins with 5spd backing it

 

yup, that truck is gunna be your best bet.

 

2nd gen 24 valve 5spd/6spd for easy modification.... reliability goes to the 12 valve.... 47RE autos are known to be weak.... It is about 2-5K to build up the 47RE auto found in the 2nd gens to handle very high ammounts of power, which many people around here, including myself, have done... They are very nice once built. I personally like the 12 valve, but being all mechanical, there are no fueling boxes that plug into it. all fueling modifications have to be done to the pump and injectors... It is about the same price either way, just depends on your tastes.... 12 valve injector pumps are more reliable than the ones on the 24 valve (VP44 - do a search on it).

 

I can personally testify to the reliability of the 12v. I bought mine with 96K miles, all stock except for a K&N air filter in the stock air box. You can read what I've done since (in my sig) and in all that time the only thing that's caused a problem has been the 5-speed tranny; the nut on the backside of the 5th gear backed off, causing a loss of overdrive but not the other gears. A shop in Montana (Quad 4x4 - URL is http://www.quad4x4.com) has a permanent fix that I'll apply when/if this ever happens again. Other than that I have had excellent service from my truck and I love the power and general economy (when I stay out of the deep side of the go pedal)

Steve

 

Im biased, i agree....

BUT if u like plug and play boxes, go 24V from 98.5 and up... 12V 98 and below is all mechanical.. and more user friendly if u ask me, just m 2 pennys...

Tx