B/D trans equipment,good and the bad?

[JSmith]

Guys that use B/D trans stuff are you happy with it or not. Would you recommend it?. What are the good and the bad?

 

[Evan A. Beck]

A lot of guys on here will recommend DTT stuff... I'd like to hear a reply to your question from someone who has used both DTT stuff, and BD's new trans stuff... Get a true comparison...

 

[DieselB59]

Let's just say that I've installed all of the aftermarket transmission products and BDs are the only ones I particularly prefer. The performance is thumbs up BD. The warranty is by far, thumbs up BD, with nationwide warranty service.

 

[MY6EATSV8'S]

I have used both, I also prefer BD. I have DTT in my brothers truck and he's never had a perfect transmission since. Good but not perfect. I can say my transmission has been through it all for over a year now and still is working like the day I put it in.

 

[Bill Kondolay]

B/D trans equiptment, good and the bad?

L Smith,



I really dont have an issue with Evan Beck or Chris, as I know they both represent companies that are BD dealers. I've got an issue with Adams BS.



Adam is fully sponsored by BD, in other words he does not pay for his transmission products and other engine components.



I dont have a problem with that aspect either as i too in the past have been sponsored by companies and I understand when one accepts sponsorship they have an obligation to promote the products.



Now Adam telling you guys out there that he has not had a problem with his BD transmissions is a lie. Please note the key word in my last sentence was transmissions as in plural.



The first time his transmission was changed out was when he came up for the april dyno days after the original transmission he put in was failing. How do i know this because he was at my shop complaining while his truck was being worked on at BD, many witness were there so no one needs take my word for it or Adams.



Not that there is anything wrong with having transmission issues as sometimes that happens to everybody.



Since then he has broken his output shaft.



Heck even that is not a big deal, i have done that too powerbraking, when you make that kind of power things are going to let go.



When i was in Tulare at the Depot show in October, Adam was begging Christian Roth, Brian Roth's son the owner BD engine brake for a new transmission and TC as the one that was just installed in April was slipping.



Now even that is not a big deal, when you make power things slip, we all know that.



Let me see this is only november, surely 1 year has not elapsed since the April 2001,and by my count you are up to 2 transmissions waiting on a 3rd one unless its already in, 1 broken out put shaft and that is just the stuff that is common knowledge.



Now Adam what i have an issue specifically with is the lie that you are you are trying to pass off that you are still working on the original transmission that you had installed one year ago.



Too many people know the truth, i dont give a da*n who may be leaning on you to promote their products or if you feel lying to these tdr members is the best way to earn credability.



You know what speaks volumes too me and always will, its when you had to spend money , your brothers truck got my stuff in it.



I dont much care what you have to say now that you need another transmission from BD for free, how many victims you have to try to con to make your quota is another issue.



Let me give you a little friendly advice, the guys on these sites are not idiots,



Creditability is something that is hard earned you cant buy it with lies.



I cant speak for Brian Roth, i will tell you this, i wont tolerate anyone lying for me to promote my products.

 

[Cummins Corvette]

Hey Bill I am starting to think that you hate BD. I have had your stuff in for three months now and the only complaints I have are all that friggin heat the tc makes when I am idling in drive while stopped. Throwing it in neutral all the time gets old. My idle is somewhat high though- about 950 in neutral. The only other thing I hate about it is that when I hit the go pedal it goes. That sucks. I think that anyone debating getting a transmission from one of these guys needs to read this thread: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=27837&perpage=15&pagenumber=1



Wow that discussion got hot, some very good stuff though. It is a debate between Bill K. and some suncoast guy. There is good info in there about trannys and standing behind your product. Bill K. sais it like it is and doesn't hold back. Get a beer, sit back and enjoy! Bill you rule.

 

[Evan A. Beck]

Glad you chimed in on this one Bill... I knew this one was going to be a hot topic. Checked out your website the other day too, lookin' good.



On another topic, when are we going to see a DTT truck on this site? www.dragtruk.com .

 

[KatDiesel]

Originally posted by Evan A. Beck

On another topic, when are we going to see a DTT truck on this site? www.dragtruk.com .

A DTT sponsered truck or jsut a truck that has the DTT transmission? Mines holding up pretty well I would say, I am pretty hard on it. Could enter my truck I suppose.

 

[BRoth]

performance tested

Rather than getting caught up in who pays what for there parts I have a question.



How many of the competition sled pullers lock up the convertor in 4 wheel low.



What type of failures have you incurred with convertor clutches or input shaft's along with a list of other weak components.



If any are wondering, BD does have different sponsorship packages. We are interested in having our products tested under conditions that we can't always duplicate.



Adam does not have our new trany and convertor in his truck yet.

So if any of you have had problems running against him last season look out for this season.



AutoWurks is running our transmission but he is not running the new convertor. So there time should improve with the new stator and lock up clutch.



If any of you feel that your application will put you infront of the crowds and lead the pack in your area of competition I would be interested in hearing from you.



Brian@bd-power

 

[Dak - BD Power]

Billy, Billy, Billy...

Bill it is obvious to everyone who reads these posts that you have a vendetta against BD and Brian Roth, that is your problem and it would be nice if you could deal with it but you seem to have to crap on anything or anyone that deals with BD, anyway, like I said, thats something you have to deal with... .



So Bill in response, here are the facts .....

The first time his transmission was changed out was when he came up for the april dyno days after the original transmission he put in was failing.

Well you seem to know all about Adam's trany, maybe even more than Adam. I wonder if, while he was at your place, he mentioned that his original transmission was a STANDARD and that he wanted to go to an automatic, which BD supplied.



Did he also mention that this unit was installed WITHOUT a TV cable. I wonder what your trany would end up like if no TV cable were installed and you drove it hard, as Adam does, for a couple of thousand miles?(Answer truthfully)



When Adam came up for Dyno Days, we checked the trany out and replaced the complete unit instead of rebuilding it as Adam was on a short timetable.

Since then he has broken his output shaft.

Adam was in a hard pull brake stand, with a heavy load. With his power, something had to give. Output shafts are not manufactured by BD, but we replaced it anyway, I wonder if DTT would be as kind? Since then there has been no problems with the transmission installed on Adam's truck.



You see Adam is a competitor and the more power he has the happier he is, so with his 600+ HP he still has the 1st generation X-Stator that was installed in Apr 01 and continues to win competitions with that TC.



BUT, Adam and BD agree that more is better (who wouldn't) and, even though his existing TC w/X-stator is working well, he would benefit from a Torque Convertor which is tighter and more aggressive, which has been supplied by BD.



Your turn

 

[MY6EATSV8'S]

Bill Bill,

mmm, If your trying to destroy or even chip at my integrity or credibility this would not be good for our friendship. Calling me a lier is not good for friendships. I understand that you have every right to say well you should have fixed Erics transmission, well we tried, with 3 different vavle bodies. The stock one seemed to work better to me, and more importantly to my brother. Secondly, we all know you have issues reguarding lockup but in my brothers truck and who knows how many others have to deal with driving numerous miles before the thing will shift into od because you've delayed the od shifting so much it shift into od in lockup. Not to mention the rest of the time when it is warmed up it still is delayed way to long. Then there is 1st through third shift, its way to early, if you make the tb cable tight enough to delay shift to halfway normal rpms, then you give it half throttle it downshifts. Its not perfect Bill. But how many times did I knock you for it. There are a few more things Bill. If your stuff was perfect a few more people I know would still be using it. Its not perfect. As neither am I. I did drive to BC to change my transmission after I got the first one because I didn't even know what a tb cable was. I didn't hook it up. Like was mentioned before, how many times did that happen to you, and you know. I seem to remember one of Piers first videos of donuts that was slipping by the end of three circles because the cable wasn't hooked up. And that transmission had 3 circles on it. Also I drove 1400 miles up there to change it, that is not free. I did also break an output shaft that was also dew to my ingnorance, pulling in first high range puts all the stress on the transmission. I now pull in low range. How many output shafts did Chris Sutton go through before he to started pulling in low range. I'm sure with your vast knowledge you know that output shaft is used in almost all the od units chrysler uses and failers are common in all of them. So in short my last transmission was installed last spring at dyno days. We all remember that one, the dyno was broke and worked well since then. Oh ya the slipping, this summer in the heat and pulling a patio boat, while sitting at a few stoplights in a row it would slip going into 3rd. I have no idea how hot it was but prolly real, obviously hot enough to slip. Its still working so it didn't hurt it much.

Now as far as reliability of BD parts, I was averaging 1 nv4500 every month before I changed to their auto and now I'm making even more power so I'd say they make pretty dambed good stuff.

If you want to make personal attacks its your perogative, I have nothing to loose so have at it. I have a few more things we can disclose if you like.

Adam

 

[PHaller]

Trannies etc

Ok, I have to jump in here, so here goes. I started working with Bill K when he was at BD trying to perfect the valve bodies on the now old 97 and 98 trucks. We had a lot of problems getting it straight especially with the 98s. Working with Bill was and continues to be a pleasure in every respect save one... paper work. I think that's why, among other things, Shanti now is there watching the paper trail. Not so when Bill was at BD... and the paperwork never got resolved.

Giving credit where credit is due, what I have learned regarding our trannies came directly from Bill. He spent probably hundreds of hours on the phone with me trying different stuff to get the valve bodies working just the way we wanted. Sometimes no matter what we did it would'nt work. Bill never got upset or angry at me for my inabilities or inexperience and IMHO, we both learned a lot. Remember, he was at BD then and also, giving credit where credit is due, it was Brian Roth at BD that supported Bills work.

So, when I needed a new auto transmission I wanted to go to Bill. Unfortunatly, my timeing was bad and the transmission failed on a trip to Canada days after Bill left BD. I inquired, but Bill was not yet ready to do any work at his current shop, so I had the transmission work done at BD and had the old milled stator TC installed because the BD 6L stator was in development but not yet ready for sale. I did not like that converter from the start. It was obvious to me that you sacrifice efficency for the appearance of lower stall speed. Newer products were coming but, as it goes, I couldn't get them then.

After I got the transmission from BD I immediatly started to have some serious problems. I had large amounts of shavings in the pan, aluminum and steel and what appeared to be brass, and my fluid looked like candy apple red metal flake paint. I put a call into Steve and Piers at BD. Steve said it was probably the TC or front pump and in different conversations with Piers and Bill, they both now gone from BD, they in effect, agreed.

Bill offered to help with my transmission at that point even though it was not his problem at all but I thought that with it being a warranty issue at BD, they and they alone, should fix it.

I returned to BD 1+1/2 years later and, after talking with Steve, he installed a new transmission and a new X converter. I had to pay an up charge because of the higher price of the X converter over the old converter and some minor shop charges. Steve completely went through the transmission and overdrive unit and installed all the upgrades and dispite the fact that the transmission was out of warranty all I had to pay was the up charge. I think largly because of Steves sweet talk and my saying that I could have just had BD send me down another transmission and pay to R+R it at Bay area prices and the freight both ways to fix it. Instead, I limped along and finally drove the 1500 miles to let them do it. I also changed the fluid 3 times to help save the transmission. It turned out to be a bad bushing in the TC causing the aluminum stator to contact the housing and the housing also rubbing the lock up clutch mating surface and it was clear that it was about to fail completely. Nothing I could have done would cause that particular failure.

So my point? I think when all the rethoric has setteled, they both are great companies to work with.

BD trys to hire the best employees as witnessed by both Piers and Bills sterling reputations as the finest engine and transmission guys available. Unfortunatly, Brian, for whatever reason, can't hang on to them. Maybe it's because that kind of person is in a constant state of flux or because of their drive to always make it better... or maybe it's because of politics and money. I don't know. All I know is that Bill will build you a good transmission and stand firmly behind it... So will Steve at BD. Whos converter is better? If I had to pay full price for another transmission and converter I would pick Bills but I am partial to supporting Bill any way I can. I think you can't go wrong either way. I do not get free stuff from either of them and I do not get commissions for my support.

Piers, I swear can make a lawn mower motor pull a 14,000 lb trailer with power to spare and on a budget. You need engine work... See Piers. Louise backs him up and as a team they are hard working and commited to their buisness. So is Bill and Shanti, so is Brian. What more can I say,

-Paul R. Haller-

 

[Cummins Corvette]

Oh brother, here we go again. After going up to BC myself to get my transmission rebuilt, I can tell all of you that Bill is one heck of a nice guy. He does know A LOT about trannys and the one in my truck is working very well. I AM NOT SPONCERED EITHER!!!!!!!! Bill does not need to pay people to say good things about DTT. I wonder why that is. He hates BD, Suncoast, and probably a few others because their products suck and they don’t back them up. I have never heard one story of Bill telling someone to take a hike when his products have problems. Maybe everyone else’s products just used to suck, but I don’t think that any of DTT’s products have ever been junk. If they were then I am sure that Bill replaced them and the customer left happy. When I was up in Abbotsford I personally got to see what BD’s people do with their customer’s trucks. A very nice fellow named Bob was up there and the transmission in his D3500 that BD had messed with would not shift into first or second gear. Third or fourth, that was it. He had taken it back to the BD dealer in California and they told him that there was nothing that they could do for him. This poor guy had to drive his truck and fifth wheel all the way up to DTT in third and fourth gear to get it fixed right, amd Vinny, Darren and Bill spent two days fixing all the **** that BD messed up on Bob’s truck. BD told Bob to take a hike, and Bill fixed his transmission right. Stories like this are the reason that Bill hates you Brian. Now get the heck off our sight. We only want good people who stand behind their products.

 

[BFC]

'tis the season I guess... ... ... Happy holidays everybody!

 

[Fred Swanson]

JSmith, are you confused yet? If we can look past the 2 BD responses and find someone who uses the transmission for what JSmith is asking about, then maybe we can have a real discussion about how BD stuff performs.

Whether BD stuff is good or bad, we'll find out soon enough because if it sells and does as advertised, their customers will stand behind them like DTT's customers do.

It seems that when this question has come up in the past, the BD responses have been few and far between. No bashing here, just simply state the facts that JSmith is asking for.

Good or bad, post your response. Yes, there are DTT loyals who have been down this road with other vendors, and won't go back. They have their reasons.

Call it what you want, but DTT has set a benchmark other companies are shooting for. If they weren't, then why would they redesign their convertors, and spend as much as they do on advertising.

This is called competition. It may not be pretty, but it will make a better product for all to benefit from.

Too many stories I have seen posted here about issues with warranties on BD products, or issues with installation centers.

This surely isn't a one time occurance, as there are 9000+ members here that post.



FACT: DTT does stand behind their products 100% guaranteed. No hype, no bull, simple fact.



One person's opinion on a subject which has come up many times before, and surely will come up again.

 

[Cummins Corvette]

I don't mean to get too mad, but some things need to be said. This is what this site is for. It is not to be used for taking advantage of people or plugging your sponsors. Fred Swanson, you speak the truth. We will see if BD has improved any. Change is hard though, I don't think that we have seen the end of BD's customer's complaints. Maybe they will see the error in their ways and actually honor their warrantees, but why should they? A sudden attack of conscience? It won’t make them more money. As a friend once explained to me, if you build a product that will last forever, you have almost no repeat business. If it lasts forever, is that person going to come back for another one once that one wears out? No. The best businessmen will make a product that lasts just long enough to clear the warrantee period, and for those that don’t make it past warrantee, try to get out of replacing it somehow. Blame it on customer negligence or something. This is how BD chooses to make money. Bill wants money AND respect AND friends. Bill makes money by word of mouth, friends telling friends about their stuff. BD does it with big shiny ads. It doesn’t matter what BD’s customers think about their products, BD has their money and they don’t have to give it back if the customer isn’t satisfied. They will just make more big shiny ads and get more customers. I’m not drawn to big shinny ads; I just ask other people (who have nothing to gain) what they think. This hasn't failed me too much.

 

[SlyBones]

A little harsh, eh!!



Personally I dont see why these things always have to turn into a d*** measuring contest. I didnt see where Bill said BD was a bad product or any of that, refering to the post above. And he essentially said that the breaking of output shafts, slipping, etc. was to be expected when you make Adams kinda power. Doesnt even mind the sponsorship stuff, been there himself.



Seems like he called Adam for misrepresentation, ( not for owning a bad product or even breaking it ) for which Adam has the right to repond. All this stuff about who hates who, who's TC is better, etc. had nothing to do with the point. At least the way I read it.



To the original question. Many like me think DTT is the best stuff going. And compared to the old low stall speed, milled stator designs its far superior. But BD, and the rest have had plenty of time over the last year or two, to step up thier programs. Whether its the best or not, I am not sure, but the gap has narrowed. They will get loyal followers and people very happy with the product. -- Do your research, choose whats best for you, and be happy.

 

[Bill Kondolay]

You know what i am not the most popular with vendors or manufactures nor do i really care.



Now i am an equal opportunity kind of guy, so dont think its just you guys BD, ask Banks they hate my guts, try Dr. Performance you will find he hates me just as much.



The point is Adam, the transmission was not the original one as implied by your post. Do you honestly think you were the first guy that mis-installed a transmission and have it screw up.



Now that is a perfect example of how important properly trained installers are. Simply bolting on parts is not going to make the transmission work properly.



You would be amazed how many times a transmission fails because someone did not put enough oil in it, or the wrong type of oil.



It may also surprise you to know how many guys change out their transmission and torque converters when they did not have a transmisson problem in the first place.



Bottom line is, just because someone sells a product does not mean he or she are qualified to install .



A lot of guys travel a long distance for me to work on their transmissions, not only are they paying for their transmission components but they are paying for my professional expertise.



The point i am getting at is simply this, there are a lot of shops out there hadling product lines and charging out professional rates for products they do not understand.



With these dodges simply bolting parts on without understanding how everything works is not enough.



Adam you destroyed a transmission because you did not understand how to adjust the cable properly. That does not make you a bad guy, its just not what you are trained to do.



I dont work on 12 valve engines, i make it no secret, i am lucky, i have Piers 5 minutes down the road. I can do a better job than i would say 95% of the guys out there claiming that they can work on 12 valve engines, simply because i am smart enough to pick up the phone and call Piers.



Too many guys are out there trying to work on and advise about transmissions when they simply dont have the qualifications.



Lsmith,



My best advice to you if you are still out there is to consider all your options and remember the product is only one part of the equation.



As always Paul,

your honesty is always appreciated.



and Chris,

Call me ,



Kat,

remember speed comes at a price and the turbo is the easiest of the bunch to fix.



And to the rest of you guys out there wanting to make serious hp, please believe me when i say this, you will break parts whether you hear about these guys breakage or not, if you are not a sponsored truck, things can get very costly.



I have been involved in drag racing for so many years my kids grew up at the race track. We have a saying in the drag racing industry if you want to make a small fortune by drag racing start with a large one.

 

[KatDiesel]

Originally posted by Bill Kondolay

Kat,

remember speed comes at a price and the turbo is the easiest of the bunch to fix.



And to the rest of you guys out there wanting to make serious hp, please believe me when i say this, you will break parts whether you hear about these guys breakage or not, if you are not a sponsored truck, things can get very costly.

I know... ... not too worried bout it, just an interesting experience is all. But I love those 1. 91 and 1. 81 60 ft times... ... . soooo I MUST launch like I do



I figured it would break something sooner or later. I was just bummed that it happened on the last run of the day... ... and I had a "Feeling" I should have just called it quits... ... . and been happy with my 13. 44



People in the stands... ... ..... "that just can't be!" LOL

 

[BRoth]

perception

It is BD's responsibility to take care of there warranties, if we have not we have errored.



I at this point do not know the specifics of the gentleman that have gotten a unfair warranty judgement. I can only assume that there are 2 sides to every story and the difference is the perception from either side. I to am puzzelled why we would not take care of any ones warranty.



It has been mentioned that if customers are happy they will spread the word and customer loyality will follow.



BD has grown on the principals of the people that run it. It is not just luck that we have had people like Piers and Bill join our company. Though BD is certainly lucky to still have Steve, Jason, Andrew, Warrner, Christian, Chris, Larry, (sorry can't list all 62)



Each of BD's people have the opportunity to make a rewarding and enjoyable carreer. I encourage personal growth and get angry when there eyes are closed to their future.



BD will continue to be a industry leader because our skilled people enjoy working together and the service we give on our products. We have and will continue to create great products.





Brian