ATS Torque Converter

[Dukenrock]

Has anyone installed the ATS High performance torque converter on a 2004 1/2 Dodge Dually? I have a Banks Kit on my truck and it's too much torque for my converter. I get real bad vibrations when I get on the gas pedal at high speeds and it appears to be getting worse. Big MAK replied to a previous thread and gave me ATS's phone number. I called them and they feel real confident about their product and taking care of the issue. Price tag-$1,800. 00 plus about $600. 00 labor to have it installed. That includes a new Valve Body which he is recommending since I pull a 12,000 pound boat. Any input would be great as well as any recommendations on installation facilities near Fort Wayne Indiana.

 

[driverno8]

I have the ATS torque converter in mine. About what I paid. Scheid did it for me when my motor was getting built. I'd recommend doing a billet input shaft too while your at it. Extra $700+ but worth it in the long run. Piece of mind know it's there when you get on it hard and the rear end hooks up. They can break with lots of torque.

 

[Dukenrock]

Driverno8,

Thanks for the info. Sounds like you have anice truck. Also read yuor tread on the Banks. I have the same system and pull a 38' Formula Fastech. I forgot to dial the gauge down and towed for about 15 miles on 6. Noticed the check engine light came on. CODE was for high rail pressure. The light went out on it's own after a day. I will need to clear the code before I go back to the dealer. Your engine story scares me a little. Banks screwed me on my previous diesel when my local Dodge dealer voided my injector pump warranty because I tapped into the injector line. (Banks dealer properly installed it) I do like what the Banks does to the engine performance. My torque converter doesn't like it though! Thanks again for the info. If you ever tow the 38 footer this way, Lake Michigan air show in Chicage is a great place to be!

 

[ThomasLawrence]

I'd hold off on the billet shaft, if you're just looking for a TC and VB. The HP required to break an input shaft (without trying to - i. e. launching the truck in the air with the throttle floored) will be more than enough to toast a stock transmission's clutch packs. If you get to that point, do the billet shaft when you have the trans re-built.



-Tom

 

[MichaelWright]

Duke,



I have the ATS Stage 3 in my 03. That is the TC, VB and Commander. I would highly recommend the Commander, it will allow everything to sync, and shifts are much smoother. As far as an installer, give Rick at Dave's Diesel a call 260-665-5396. He is in Angola IN, right off of I-69 exit 150. He is a dealer for ATS & BD Power transmissions and installs and builds them. He does the Allisons and Torqueshifts too, they know what they are doing.



Mike

 

[Dukenrock]

Dave's is actually who installed my first Banks Kit on my 2001. I really appreciate the info. I'll call him today. When I spoke with ATS yesterday, I asked them for the closest dealer and they never mentioned Daves. They were going to send me to the southern Indiana area. I also wasn't aware of the Commander. I hate the way the stock transmission shifts. If this helps, I wouldn't mind it as well. Thanks again for the info, I'll give him a call today. Got any 50% off coupons by chance? ; )

 

[OT-OF-HERE!!]

Banks

Driverno8,

Thanks for the info. Sounds like you have anice truck. Also read yuor tread on the Banks. I have the same system and pull a 38' Formula Fastech. I forgot to dial the gauge down and towed for about 15 miles on 6. Noticed the check engine light came on. CODE was for high rail pressure. The light went out on it's own after a day. I will need to clear the code before I go back to the dealer. Your engine story scares me a little. Banks screwed me on my previous diesel when my local Dodge dealer voided my injector pump warranty because I tapped into the injector line. (Banks dealer properly installed it) I do like what the Banks does to the engine performance. My torque converter doesn't like it though! Thanks again for the info. If you ever tow the 38 footer this way, Lake Michigan air show in Chicage is a great place to be!

I thought the Banks system was suppose to defuel when it sensed your converter even thinking about slipping? Maybe your six gun isn't working properly?

 

[driverno8]

My 6 Gun didn't defuel either. Never did work properly. Banks even diognosed as being bad. Warranty was shot. Paid for my new motor out of my pocket. Most people know the story so I'm not even going to start about what I think of them.



38" footer isn't mine. It's a buddy's. We used my truck because his Excursion Powerjoke isn't rated for the weight. But thanks for offer. I've heard of a lot of really cool lakes back there. Maybe one day.



IMO. If the transmission is out laying on the floor, might as well spend the money and do it right. Put a clutches and input shaft in. Saves you the time of being down when you have to rebuild it in few thousand miles.

 

[Dukenrock]

Apparently the defueling issue is the cause of the ugly trans shifts. I am being old I can still expect some of that. My transmission is still in one piece but I am noticing the torque converter is beginning to give me signs that it wants to be a problem! I have dave's installing the racing version torque converter. I asked him about the billet shaft and he was pretty honest with me and said if i'm not at pulling events and abusing the truck, I should be OK. The hardest I am on the vehicle is when I pull the boat out of the water on inclines! If it's gonna break at all, that's where it would. If he can take care of the torque shutter and the infamous Launch Shutter, I'll be real happy with my truck. It's kinda sad that my Dodge dealer can't fix the Launch Shutter. My truck is probably one of their highest priced tickets next to the Viper and they just don't treat a truck like they should. I've never heard the term powerjoke... I like that one!

KC

 

[MarcRoth]

I have a 04. 5 with the triple lock and the valve body, I also tow a 38 Baja. Went to Cumberland set the cruise at 78 and never missed a beat. No shudder No nothing even had the TST box on 8/8. only thing bad was my arm fell asleep from leaning against the door. Ats is the ****. Marc

 

[Dukenrock]

Did your truck ever have the launch shudder problem? It is a very quick vibration at 3-4 mph everytine you take off. You would have noticed it especially when pulling the boat out of the water. Dealer tells me all the 04 1/2's do it. (I never took the tiime to drive another one yet)

 

[CLAYTON]

Would you guys get the race VB or the towing VB and why?

 

[Dukenrock]

Clayton,

I opted for the race TC. After speaking to Dave's, he said it was agressive enough and you can feel it chatter your teeth. I felt doing both may have shattered my Ba*ls. He said I should be real happy with that. like dave's because they actually have installed and tested many of these applications so it's experienced based. What have you heard about the VB?

 

[CLAYTON]

I have heard that the race vb will shift a lot firmer/harder then the tow vb and that there is a noticable difference in the two.

 

[MichaelWright]

The race VB does shift harder/firmer, I like it! If you go with the race VB, you should definately get the Commander. Even Rick at Dave's said it was needed to help extend the transmission life. It does shift much smoother with the Commander on, as I drove quite a few miles on the ATS TC & VB with it NOT installed. Get the Commander, it does make a huge difference. Well worth the price.



Mike

 

[Dukenrock]

ATS Torque Converter installed!!

Just picked up the truck after having the ATS Torque Converter, HP Valve Body and Trans Command installed. What a difference! They also fixed my Launch Shutter. Only thing I didn't like was that, if I'm understanding the product correctly, they want me to drive with the Overdrive turned OFF when I'm reaching speeds under 25 MPH to eliminate the shutter you get when it's turned onON. This only happens when decellerating and you hit 25 MPH. Can anyone can give me feedback on that?

 

[jwilliams3]

Yeah set lockup around 30-40mph.

IMO.

 

[ThomasLawrence]

I had the same issue originally... bump the lockup speed up a notch on the Commander. I have mine set so that it unlocks right around 800RPM or so in OD (whatever speed that works out to). Play around with it a bit... set the lockup speed as high as it will go (single green LED all the way to the right lit up), decelerate from speed, and see where it unlocks. Lower the lockup speed one setting at a time until you have it unlocking around 750-800RPM.



-Tom

 

[Dukenrock]

Thanks. I'll play around with it. It actually runs great with it off!

 

[ThomasLawrence]

single green LED all the way to the right lit up

Err... make that a single blue LED... green LED is the lockup indicator. Sorry - it's been a while since I've looked at my Commander (I keep it tucked away in the ashtray).



-Tom