Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) automatic upgrade

[salstrip]

hi guys ,

well its time for me to upgrade my 1997 auto 4x4 rams automatic transmission . i would love to hear any problems etc with this , i have a couple of parts suppliers in mind , i am in australia and it is a long way to send parts ,so i want to get the right parts from the right suppliers . any and all info would be appreciated

regards conn

 

[rrausch]

It's time to do some homework Mate!



At 107,000 miles, I went with ATS. They build a trouble-free and bullet-proof Torque Converter, Valve Body, Controller etc. Their TripleLok TC won't slip, I don't care how much HP & Torque you are making. That is the #1 cause of stock trans failures on an upgraded engine--the single disk TC Clutch starts to slip, and slipping causes a lot of heat, which causes the clutch material to burn, degrade, peel off etc. Then those little bits of clutch material circulate through the trans, plugging it up etc.



There are other good rebuilders out there. Suncoast, Goerends, BD, DTT etc, but my opinion, after talking to them was to go with ATS. I believe the ATS engineering is the most thorough and reliable out there. They have reengineered many, many parts on the 2nd and 3rd gen. automatics to handle all the power the Cummins can make.



Clint has shipped everything from TC's to complete Transmissions out of the country, so I'm sure he could get one to Aussie-Land no problem.

Good luck! If I had it to do again, I would go with ATS in a heartbeat. They are a family owned business and stand behind everything they do 100%.



Here is a Thread I posted in April, 2002, after I got my ATS installed.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com...?threadid=40441&highlight=Experience+with+ATS

 

[SBozeman]

I upgraded my transmission with an ATS TC, VB, and controller and couldn't't be happier. I really like the ability to maintain lock up in all gears and shift gears while maintaining lock up. Another great feature is the ability to keep the TC locked up when decelerating and braking. Used in conjunction with an exhaust brake it makes it a great upgrade.



I recently pulled my FW (combined weight 18k) over two mountain passes on a 90 plus degree day and never saw the transmission gage indicate anything over 150 degrees while maintaining freeway speeds.



Good Luck

Steve

 

[EGILLILAND]

Same as Steve

Just got my ATS transmission a little over a month ago. We took a family vacation, pulling the RV, the whole outfit weighed in around 16,000# and the transmission never even burped. On the interstate, pulling the Rockies in 100 deg heat I couldn't get the transmission temp out of the yellow band on my banks guages (approx 160).



The only time I've seen the transmission temp run up at all was in Denver, extremely hot (100deg) in stop and go traffic... . still it never got over 200deg.



As for the operation of the transmission. . its great. I run a mystery switch and I'm with the other fellas... I love being able to lock up any gear. Good luck getting what you need.