Who makes the best auto transmission upgrades

[JonKing]

Most of the big boys run suncoast and I will say thier customer service is second to none.

 

[OT-OF-HERE!!]

Those are two different questions you realize,...

i have a 2005 4WD quad and want to upgrade the transmission at the same time as the motor. who makes the best or builds the best auto 48re for the money?

The best and the best for the money are different things. Pretty much all the quality builders have been mentioned so I won't go there. If having the best parts then you need to look at Opie's stuff. I think everyone who knows anything would agree he makes the best of everything. If you're going say 450hp to 650hp then you don't need the best parts,... you need what everyone is recommending. If however you want to do this once and sky is the limit on your power quest then ck out Opie.

 

[Moose]

I have read many a post about upgrading the 48RE's and have learned quite a bit as a result... One thing that I have never seen a clear explanation on is exactly what the benefits are for installing a billet direct drum... Increased clutch count is a given but beyond that what are the reasons for upgrading the direct drum?. . Is it even necessary for a trans that will see limited drag or sled use??... I am planning on doing my transmission in the next couple of weeks so i am just trying to get a parts list down before I start ordering... TC, VB, flex plate, billet input/intermediate and output are already on the list... Is the billet direct drum something that I should plan on as well??

TIA


Moose

 

[basilry]

Depending where you are Id take a look at TSI. They are out of the Chicago Illinois area and they built mine. all billet and for a great price. They have an awsome warranty and I drive mine everyday and sled pull as much as i can. Before I had mine built I called and talked to all the big shops and decided to go with TSI because of location, price, and I liked the shop and the history behind them. just my $. 02

 

[2broke2smoke]

my dtt has been flawless for 70k ... still carries the same pressures as the day i bought it ...



do a search on here for each of the individual brands and note how many positive and negatives for each brand ...



this site is a great research tool, especially when you live way out in diesel limbo like i do ...

 

[HBarlow]

I have been an RV transporter for almost three years. My '06 Ram has just under 209k miles on the odometer and has had a full DTT rebuild/upgrade with all the billet steel parts since 132k miles. I have pulled some very heavy trailers since the modifications were done and routinely pull 13-14k fifth wheels. I service the transmission at around 35k miles and each time the fluid comes out clean and without particles. It launches without excess slippage and shifts firm every shift. I have had no problems with it.



James Northrum in Malakoff, TX, south of Dallas, did the job and stands behind his work. He has a very clean, efficient, professional operation and knows automatic transmissions like an encyclopedia. He has been building them for over 30 years. I recommend him with complete confidence.



A fellow transporter with an '04 Ram also has a DTT, built by Kondolay in Abbotsford, BC. His transmission has several hundred thousand miles on it so far. He is very pleased with his. The only problem he has reported to me was a MOPAR electric solenoid valve failed after 150k miles or so. Not anything DTT could be blamed for.



Another fellow transporter has an '05 Ram. He chose to have his transmission built by a shop close to his home in IL using ATS parts. His transmission has been a huge disappointment to him. Several ATS vendor shops around the country have had it back out on several occasions and ATS at their main office and shop in CO completely replaced it once. Ultimately he ended up with a factory stock valve body reinstalled and he had to purchase an expensive ECM code reset box to carry with him. Everytime he pulls a grade loaded and the transmission downshifts it sets a code and goes into the limp mode. He has told me that ATS cannot find the cause or correct it. I drove his truck around the block recently and it has a loose converter and feels just like a stock transmission. I don't know what parts are installed in it but he originally paid a large price for the job.



If you read my post carefully you will see that I am attempting to report facts as I know them for anyone contemplating a transmission upgrade to read and make his own decision. I have no interest in starting a so-called transmission war and I certainly do not sell parts or service, receive no referral rewards, and do not benefit from my comments in any way.



Harvey

 

[JCleary]

my dtt has been flawless for 70k ... still carries the same pressures as the day i bought it ...



do a search on here for each of the individual brands and note how many positive and negatives for each brand ...



this site is a great research tool, especially when you live way out in diesel limbo like i do ...

Does your converter stay locked when you mat the pedal and hold WOT?

 

[HBarlow]

Does your converter stay locked when you mat the pedal and hold WOT?

My DTT does.



Harvey

 

[2broke2smoke]

Does your converter stay locked when you mat the pedal and hold WOT?

sure ... ...

 

[BElting]

I too will throw in for Goerend Brothers. I have an 05 with T/H disconnected and O/D lock out now in place. I have 20k on a convertor and valve body from them. I have also had a Suncoast convertor and valve body in a different truck and I like the GB set up much better. Only power mod is a Smarty and boost fooler. Dave Goerend is very helpful.

Respectfully submitted, Barry.

 

[raxley]

I used a Goerand Bros. TC, and input. I used a BD flex plate and TransGo shift kit and a Mag Tech or HyTech (sorry something along those lines) 2 qt. added trans pan. Had a local guy (Thanks DieselNutMotorsports.com) put the stuff together, and it works great!

Talk to the guy putting it together (BEFORE the day of appt. ), after they've done it a lot, they know all the little parts you wanna replace (if you're doing a mod rather than entire trans) while it's apart.

 

[Ramzilla]

You might consider deciding based on who has a volume biz or even ANY meaningful experience with an installer in your own local area. For me, that happened to be DTT.