another transmission thread

[StakeMan]

Since transmission threads have been civil lately, I thought it would be a good time to ask a few questions. I am not starting nor do I want this to turn into another :-{} .



Those with ATS trannies,

How do you like it?

When do you use lock-up?





Thanks in advance for keeping this civil.

 

[JConley]

Its GREAT! That new VB is incredible. I lockup around 40MPH. The only time I adjust the setting is to show people how it works. If I want some more RPM'S when I am running around 40 MPH, I just turn the OD off. This transmission shifts just as smooth locked as my stock transmission did with the crappy TC

 

[phoekema]

ATS experience

I installed the ATS converter and valve body to my otherwise stock transmission in March of 2002 after experiencing lockup clutch slippage with an injector upgrade. We upgraded to a bigger and heavier 5th wheel at that time too and I could tell the stock converter would soon be toast if I didn't do something soon. My installation was done by a local transmission shop who had never worked with ATS before. The installation went well and I am very happy with the results. The lockup is so rock solid now after the ATS converter was installed that I also added an Edge Comp box and EGT & boost gages.

Once on the highway I run about 65-68 @1900 rpm approx (3. 54 axle). It seems to be pretty happy there. I vary between letting it lock up when it wants to and using my mystery switch. If I use the lockup switch, it is usually in 3rd gear when running in town or at slower speeds or to force the transmission to shift 3rd to 4th while locked up. When I do shift locked up between 3rd & 4th, I usually let off the throttle a bit until after the shift is complete just to give the transmission a break. I feel quite strongly that even though the transmission is really solid now, you will reap rewards in terms of length of service and reliability in not pushing it harder than you have to.

In my opinion, if you have an automatic, even if you have no upgrades, the upgrade to the converter and valve body is the single best improvement you can make... ..... drivability, lower operating temperatures, more power, better shifting, more trouble-free miles... ... ... ... ...

 

[Rob Thomas]

Stake,



Are you passin' out pom pom's to all? Rah Rah Re

 

[Cummins4Life]

Originally posted by Rob Thomas

Stake,



Are you passin' out pom pom's to all? Rah Rah Re

Here ya go... #ad

 

[StakeMan]

Originally posted by Rob Thomas

Stake,



Are you passin' out pom pom's to all? Rah Rah Re

Your just jealous because you are transmission handicapped Rob. :-laf



Lets stick to the topic.

 

[StakeMan]

Maybe I should have titled it differently.



TTT

 

[Bhale]

~8k miles on mine and i'm VERY pleased with it. I got the hole thing TC, transmission and controller and had it installed by a local shop. ATS called shops in my area and suggested i go with Jim Jennings for the install and i thought that was real . They care about who does the install. Performance wise this thing is great! Solid firm shifts that aren't harsh and being able to shift locked up is nice for those times when you really need WOT operation.



Like JConley said, i to set my controller to lock up at ~40 mph and turn the OD off if i need better acceleration. If i want to smoke the tailgater behind me, being in OD with the TC locked at 40 mph can really pump it out! 40 mph in OD equals about 1100 rpm (3:54 rear) and helps a lot with the mpg. Should be great when the exhaust brake goes in since i can lock it up all the way down to about 20 mph.



I can't find anything to complain about, it works great! Well maybe one thing, they never sent me the medium sized t-shirt they promised me



Buy it and you'll smile for a long time to come...



Brian

 

[StakeMan]

Am I the only ATS transmission owner with 4. 10's?

 

[Shovelhead]

Originally posted by StakeMan

Am I the only ATS transmission owner with 4. 10's?

Gime time



I'm trying to scrape the $$$$ together.



Unless they wanna use me as a test mule on the Right Coast and pony up a freebie.

 

[danandamy]

Originally posted by StakeMan

Maybe I should have titled it differently.



TTT

Yeah, like maybe "Hummmmmmmmmm"

 

[JConley]

If this were a DTT thread we would be at page 4 about now. I guess the ATS crowd is out driving the trucks rather than talking about them.



You have to admit... This is the first transmission thread that Bob Wagner hasnt posted anything in. After 3 days this has to be a record!! Bob you feeling OK?

 

[dsather]

Questions

There is a good possibility there will be an ATS purchase in the future. I need to ask a couple of questions please.



Is there a way to have the trans shift like the truck did set up from factory? 99 Dodges unlock converter, shift to 4th and then relock. Do you have to shift locked in other words? What kinds of things does the controller control? I gather that you can set it to lock the converter at a given speed. It sounds like it is absolute, regardless of the gear you are in. Correct?



Dennis

 

[beartrace]

I got my upgrade from ATS in Wheat Ridge, CO. Clint, Don, and the whole group are true professionals. The upgrade has exceeded my expectations. I love the TripleLoc Electronic Controller. I have it set to lock up around 30 mph for daily driving (you can dial it in to whatever speed you want to lock up). The shifts are firm, crisp, and the acceleration is fantastic. I came back from Colorado through Rocky Mountain National Park with slide-in camper (9500LB GVW) and was able to take all mountain roads in overdrive with reserve power to accelerate. Absolutely no EGT problems (never exceeded 1300). The PacBrake controlled by the ATS Electronic controller works beautifully. The point I would like to make is ATS was the right decision for me but any of the top vendor transmission upgrades are worth the big step up from stock. I feel like I have a brand new truck !! Thanks TDR!

 

[rrausch]

Amen! I went to Wheat Ridge in April and got the complete ATS rebuild in my bombed '95 2500. Since then I've put about 8,000 miles on it, mostly city driving. I keep the controller off most of the time, and use the O. D. lock-up button in normal driving. I only use the controller if I need to use the Pac Brake, or if I need to beat those black Ford Excretions and those Land Rovers (Here Rover... woof woof). Also its fun to whack the Ricers... they ALWAYS underestimate my truck!



So the original question was 'how do I like it?'



I LOVE IT!!! The ATS is the best thing I EVER did besides to buy the truck in the first place. It MAKES the truck... it COMPLETES the truck.

 

[SlyBones]

Originally posted by JConley

If this were a DTT thread we would be at page 4 about now. I guess the ATS crowd is out driving the trucks rather than talking about them.

so why is it many of the transmission threads now-a-days, are started by ATS users that already have ATS and are just waving their pom pom's. -- kinda like this one.



And just like Jconley's comment, seems ATS users are the one's throwing the first punch. The topic of this thread had nothing to do with this. And it could have stayed civil, but you just had to open your mouth.



A year ago DTT customers were called a pack of wolves for this kind of behavior. Now it seems that ATS users have become what they used to complain about.

 

[StakeMan]

Re: Questions

Originally posted by dsather

There is a good possibility there will be an ATS purchase in the future. I need to ask a couple of questions please.



Is there a way to have the trans shift like the truck did set up from factory? 99 Dodges unlock converter, shift to 4th and then relock. Do you have to shift locked in other words? What kinds of things does the controller control? I gather that you can set it to lock the converter at a given speed. It sounds like it is absolute, regardless of the gear you are in. Correct?



Dennis

If the controller is off than the truck will shift and lock-up as it did from the factory. It also operate with your e-brake. Yes the lockup controller is based on speed, not gear.

 

[BLee]

Of course you can turn the controller off and get stock operation of the T/C and transmission ( with a more pronounced lockup at the factory speed settings). Problem is that the PacBrake cannot be used with the controller turned off. Since I want the transmission to shift in fluid coupling, I usually set my lockup speed at about 45 mph of so, like the factory setting. This lets the truck run about like it normally did before ATS, only with better lockup and PacBrake operation. The truck certainly has a much more positive departure from dead stop, a better stator, I suppose. I do notice there is quite a dropoff of RPM at lockup in OD, maybe indicating the stator is not as efficient in fluid coupling at that speed. It's a good tradeoff, though. The truck is much more responsive at very slow speed, meaning it will tow in traffic without getting in everybody's way at every stoplight. I've had the ATS upgrades for 3 or 4 thousand miles now, and I use the system all the time, cause the PacBrake is a very useful aid. The system works as advertised.

 

[Koa Man]

Originally posted by StakeMan

Am I the only ATS transmission owner with 4. 10's?

No, I have 4. 10s also.



How do I like it? Its good.



When do I use lockup? Normally around 40. Certain situations, not at all.

 

[JConley]

Hey Sly... lighten up. It was a joke. Everyone is so edgy now a days.....