I have been looking at the TCI torque converters that Jegs sells for our trucks. They sell jut a regular towing converter for about $370, and a billet covered towing converter for about $490. They are supposed to have lower stall speed, and better holding capacity.Has anyone had any experience with these torque converters? I really dont want to drop the money on a big expensive one, and my power will probably stay right where its at anyway, so it just needs to be good enough to support my 246hp/635tq. Maybe a little more than that now after GSK, and turbo housing. I haul loads probably at least once a week in the summer(around 10k lbs of hay/tractors), and I really enjoy running at the drag strip when i get the chance, and i will MAYBE hook to the pulling sled once a summer. My stock converter will slip bad while hauling if i dont watch it(and empty if i accelerate very hard), and i REALLY need to replace it as soon as i can. The tranny shifts great, and line pressure has been upped with the transgo shift kit. I think i could make this transmission last a lot longer If i install a better torque converter. So. Anyone who has had or knows someone who has had experience with one of these converters, please let me know your/their experience. I have heard mainly good things about these torque converters, and I really need one, and they are in my price range, so what do you guys think? Also, will i need a billet covered converter with the power i have? Does a billet converter have any more holding power than one without a billet cover, or is it just to keep from warping/bending the cover? It would be nice to get by with the $370 converter as long as it will last, and hold all right for me, but if i really need it i guess ill try to go ahead and get the billet covered converter. I have truck pulled, hauled, drag raced, and dynoed with the stock converter in place, so if this one is much better at all it should be fine for me. Also, here is a link to Jegs site where they list them:

http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerc...62&prmenbr=361

It also says that 95 and up use the lockup 23 spline converter, but my 94 is the EXACT same as a 95 tranny right? Both 47RH's with lockup converters. Also, my converter is the 23 spline right? Thanks a lot for any help!!

Eric

 

Six or seven years ago, I had a 95 with trans slipping issues. I had the trans built and used a TCI low stall converter. 6 months later it was slipping and we went thru it again. No sign of slippage so it had to be the converter clutch.

A little more on this story.
I talked with them several times before buying. Then ordered it and when it arrived we were putting it in and realized , after it damaged the front seal, that the maching was not done on the snout.Talked to them and sent it back, they sent another and it was fine. Guess who paid the shipping each way. ME

Total crud Inc.

TCI

My advice it to go to DTT, they can and do make the very best. And are always there to help you.

 

Yah I think your gonna get what you pay for I have a BD diesel performance torque convertor and it is just a solid product couldnt be happier

 

As much as i would like to have a $1300 torque converter, its just not going to happen. Im 17, and i just work whenever i can and im out of school, and i need something to pay for diesel with still, so a $1300 torque converter just aint happening.

J-Fox: I would consider that pretty good that they backed it up like that, and sent you another out, even if you did pay the shipping. And if the 2nd one was fine, then the first was just an obvious mistake on there part. There are bad ones in every bunch, even DTT, and ATS.

Eric

 

You can get a much better TC from Goerand Bros transmissions. http://www.gbtransmissions.com/default.htm

Do it right the first time , call Dave Goerand. Don't get sucked in by a low price. You will just end up doing it over and spending twice the amount of money you would have. He will be able to advise you and help your wallet get the best TC you can afford for just alittle more than the Jegs TC. AND you wont have to do it over in a year. Dave is a really a nice guy. He might even have a good used TC laying around he would sell you cheap. Guys upgrade all the time and your HP is in the moderate range. I'll bet you a buck he's got an answer for you, that you can afford.

A little advice even though you didn't ask for it. Don't ever let price determine quality. That is a lesson at 17 you need to learn quickly. It took me several "mistakes" by buying cheap to learn. Buy it right, then you don't have to replace it right away.

Good luck, keep us posted with what ever you decide. Its your money, and we are here to help. You certainly have bought the right truck, now buy the right parts to keep her running as strong as you can.

 

I never used one for a Diesel (low stall) but there Gasser high stalls used to be killler. They are like anybody else, low end and high end so if you buy there cheapest one I ran a 5800 nitrous TCI for many seasons behind a 650hp 498ci in a 3000lb car and it worked flawlessly. That said it cost $1200. 18 years ago. I know many other people at the track that also swear by them. Good luck

 

Geico226: Thanks for the info. I emailed Goerend Brothers last night. If he is close to the price of the TCI then he will probably get my money when i buy one You are right on the price thing for the most part. Im into nitro/electric hobby class R/C cars. Didnt do any research(this has been 3-4 years ago) , and bought the cheapest($200) nitro i could find. Never could get it running right, and cant buy any parts at the hobby shop. Have to order them all. Now, i wish i had bought one of the nice $450-$500 trucks because i have more than that in just trying to get the first junker to run. The truck i have now is a quality truck new(I traded my first one to an electric, then the electric to this one), but mine is a little ragged out as far as the motor goes. The drivetrain is in good shape, but im in the whole way more than i would have been if i had bought a truck like I have now new back then. Just goes to show you to do research before you buy, and that is why im asking you guys opinions on this

Eric

 

Perhaps the guys at TCI have learned a few things since the last go round.

TCI has been a great copnverter company since the old days. As mentioned above...the TCI is a great piece in the gasser world.

My vote has always been with DTT because I have seen the performance of the trucks run with them. That being said...there is progress from all the vendors in the right direction and for every DTT that wns...there is another brand doing the same thing. Suncoast and ATS come to mind.

Don~

 

Eric

I have learned the hard way, I bought a conv awhile back and it worked great for a short time. I think that if you have a CTD you should buy a triple-disc (no ifs-ands-or-buts) I was told that I didn't need a triple-disc because I wasn't racing or towing 25,000lbs all the time, thats a bunch of BS. I have learned and I hope you listen to me and the other members about converters!!!!!!!!!!!! You said that you weren't going to do anymore bombing, but we know that you will Take it easy on your tranny for now and save for a conv that will last longer then your truck. I don't care which brand (DTT,ATS,SUNCOAST or Goerend) you buy but take it from me, you will slip the others with your CTD. Go with a triple-disc and you will be happy with what ever you do to your truck in the furture.

CRIS

 

Looks like they have a real nice triple disk. Anyone have any experience with TCS?

http://www.tcsperformance.com/cummins/

 

ERIC, You are pretty sharp for 17. I wished I bought my first CTD at 17 instead of waiting until I was 45.

 

Eric,
We all started out just doing one thing to our trucks. It goes on from there every time
Everyone is trying to tell you the weakest link in the chain is easiest to fix with the long term goals in mind. You have the bug now & it will only bite harder as you make your truck faster, just like we are doing.
I'm glad to hear that Dave will satisfy your CV need. He has done mine & it works great!!
Welcome to the need for speed club!!!

Wayne

 

Thanks for the help guys. I talked to Dave, and he seems to be a very knowledgable man. He told me about much more than i asked for about the problems of higher pressures and told me all about the converter.

Masonic Dodge: I dont personally think that you NEED a triple disk. They might be better, but a good single disk will be just as good as a triple disk depending on your power level IMO.

Don M: Thanks

Mike D: never heard of them before, but interesting

Geico266: Thanks

My World: I know, i know. I will ALWAYS want more power. I would like to have delivery valves, but my EGT's are high now, and when i haul loads i want it to be driveable, so id say the power i have is enough at least until i can afford more to the tranny if i have to.Thanks

Anyway. I guess i might wait a while and get some more information before i buy. If i had a paying job, and wasnt in school Dave would definatley be who i went to, but i dont, so im gonna have to think about it, but he offered a pretty reasopnable price so im gonna think it over. Thanks Guys!

Eric

 

Cumminsdriver, They repaired it and sent it back to me COD. The shipping costs should be theirs, it was their mistake.
Take your chance. Can you afford to do the job twice.? I paid my trans shop twice for someone else's mistake.
Fact is, I had close to $750 in it and it still failed.
Plan to do the job once and do it right.