Best torque converter for a man on a budget

[D. Showan]

Does anyone have a suggestion for a good torque converter that is not to expensive????

 

[JBoesl]

I do not know what your budget is but, I think my DTT tc is the best upgade I have done.



http://www.dieseltrans.com/DTTech/index.html

 

[Koa Man]

This is a very touchy subject around here but I'll put on my haz mat suit and say Goerend Bros can provide you a very good TC for a reasonable price for engines putting out less than 350 hp.

 

[BigYellowIron]

Here it is:



http://gbtransmissions.com/



Dave will answer the phone and is the guy you need to talk to.



Best Bang fot the buck.



I have about 12000 miles on his converter and have had no problems with 371hp 844 torque.



I an running one of his VB also.





Adam

 

[dalton4]

Showan, I also agree with BigYellowIron that the Goerend mods, in my opinion, are the best bang for the buck. It comes down to choice and best meeting your needs for the dollar.



Jerry

 

[Fireman Dave]

Oh boy. Here we go again!

 

[Bill Kondolay]

Mr. Showman





If you are looking for a tc under $400. Goerend,TCS, ATG all build the milled stator units. If you are not looking for much performance in fluid coupling any of these tc's will work for you.



I know there are at least 20 others that i know of that are building tc's in a similar fashion.



Beware of companies that are selling these same low cost converters for $700 + masquerading as top end converters with fluid coupling as high as 98%.



Remember the tc is a % of the overall job. Make sure your line pressures are addressed also either via vb or shift kit . Do not overlook the pump bushing, this is a very commonly overlooked part when guys are switching out their tc's.

The pump bushing actually locks in the fluid in the tc providing positive lockup.



That is #3 on my list of thigs to do, make sure you get that done .

With a worn out pump bushing you could crank your pressures till the cows come home and you will still lose your lock up clutch prematurely.



Also make sure you take care of the inboard lipseal on the front drum. The superior shift kits have the lipseal you will need , we also make sure we provide them in our update kits.



You may even find some suppliers may have the seal independently of a kit if you search it out.



Look whatever you do, just cover the bases by simply changing out the tc alone will not adequately address the problems with this transmission. A lot of guys have tried to just swap out the tc and have ended up having to do the job again .

 

[D. Showan]

trans upgrades

Thanks for the replys. My trans is now slipping in reverse so I fear that a overhaul is imminent and I am starting to check things out so I can upgrade it properly while it is being overhauled. Has anyone had any experiences with warranty Companies and trying to install upgraded parts. My engine is completely stock and my goal is increase the longevity of the trans. I occasionally tow a 8K fifth wheel.

 

[LSMITH]

Another Opinion? Sure, I will give mine! For a guy that is on a budget ( I am a guy on a budget ) getting the right stuff the first time is the most important, far more important than getting something "decent" to get me by until I have the cake to get the stuff that is best. I know that once I dump the money to do the transmission I will not be able to "fix" it again for a while, so getting the best stuff is more important to me. One thing that life has taught me is that without a doubt you will end up doing a job right the first time, or the second, or the third time... ... ... . I try to do the absolute best on the first time around anymore, shortcuts have cost me a lot more than going for the best the first time ever has. I am NOT saying that Goerend, DTT, or ANYONE is a shortcut, just that a budget can cost more in the end if it is not managed. Save a bit longer if you need to or take the plunge now, but BUY THE STUFF YOU ARE GOING TO END UP WITH, BUY THE ONE THAT WILL MAKE YOU HAPPY LONGTERM. There, that is my take on it. Hope it helps.

 

[Joe G.]

D. Showan,



If you are going to have your trans rebuilt anyway, compare the price of the DTT trans against the cost of a rebuild of yours plus the upgrades you want. The prices are on the DTT web site at:



http://www.dieseltrans.com/DTTech/index.sht



It might be cost effective to get the best available right away. While you are at it check the DTT warrantee.

 

[JHansen]

Bill is the man!

Gotta like a guy who offers up a few hard-earned secrets to do the job right... and gives them out FOR FREE! You truly are the man!



My truck's a 6 spd... . but if I ever end up with an auto (or for one of my buddy's trucks) you're at the top of the list! When I do make it to Abbotsford I'll be stopping at your shop for a lookaround and general BS session... .



Thanks for sharing your info with all us dummies on the board (commenting on my own mental state only-not meaning to taint any of the rest of you by association ).



Jason

 

[Bob Wagner]

Do it right the 1st time

driving is believing



Find someone with the DTT upgraded transmission because it is simply the best gauranteed.



compare apples to apples when you go shopping

 

[JMichelson]

Showan



I was recently faced with the same situation your faced with, a failing transmission and a budget. I decided that a transmission and torque converter was not something that I wanted to try and save money on. With transmissions it pay now and if it has problems pay again later. I went with a BD transmission and torque converter. I have been very happy with my decision. Nobody can sell you a quality transmission that will last that’s not going to be expensive. I will probably get electronically tarred and feathered for not telling you to go out and buy a DTT transmission and torque converter. I have no doubt from the postings on this site that DTT transmissions are excellent. I bought a BD, you too have a choice, exercise that choice. It’s your money (and lots of it) shop around.

After you have replaced or rebuilt your transmission it’s like driving a new truck except it’s around 30,000 dollars cheaper. Jeff

http://www.bd-power.com/

 

[Extreme1]

Definately do the whole trans and TC.



Personally I went with Dave G's TC and am very pleased. Not all milled stator TC's are the same!

 

[KGoode]

D. Showan, I went with ATS triple disc converter, they have an extremely strong lock up device, that so far has been impossible to slip when in lock up and there fluid coupling seems to be pretty efficient. I would take bill K's advise and freshen up other parts in the transmission when you do a t/c upgrade.



Kevin

 

[RHARVEY]

Also keep in mind that you do tow a trailer once in a while. . I use to do the bargain shopping, but I been corrected too many times lately by my wife asking why are you having to redo that again???

I too am on a budget so I know where you are coming from. When I start talking about a new clutch for my 5 speed, the first thing out of my wifes mouth is. . 'you better earn the money because you are not charging it'

Just do it right the first time and forget it!!!



And that is all I will say about this subject



Rick



P. S. Good luck on your decision... ... .

 

[Koa Man]

I agree that buy quality and you need to buy it only once. However, rest assured that Goerend Bros. transmissions are not "junk'. Although the general consensus is that DTT is currently the "best" out there, there are some vendors that can provide a very good TC for a reasonable price. These other TCs will be much better than stock and hold the power of a modified CTD much better than stock. Although I am not real happy with my Dunrite (pre DTT) TC, I must admit that it has not shown any signs of slippage. (Installed Feb. 2000, 20K miles on TC) I am towing 85% of the time my truck is on the road. I eventually plan on installing a DTT or what ever is the "best and proven" TC some time this year. Many cannot afford or do not want to spend the money that a DTT trans will cost, or perhaps do not need the super efficiency that a DTT provides. I can understand that and hope that those with DTTs can understand that too. Just like SnapOn probably makes that best hand tools you can buy. Do I buy SnapOn? No, too expensive and I am not a professional mechanic. I do not "need" this type of quality and the cheap Craftsman and even some of the tools sold at Walmart and Costco serves my needs just fine.



Since I know how sensitive DTT owners are, before you go jumping on me, please read my post carefully. You will see I plan to join your ranks this year, (unless something better comes along).

 

[SlyBones]

Well KoaMan, as a DTT owner and a proud member of the wolf pack, I must say.....



... . I agree. There is a difference between doing in right and doing it with the absolute best stuff there is. Sometimes its he same and sometimes not.



Doing it wrong would be just putting in at TC/VB and not paying attention to the things Bill mentioned. Or not having the transmission broken down and inspected to make sure you know what it really needs.

 

[D. Showan]

Best tc on a budget

Many thanks to those of you who have replied, I am learning quite a bit. I see that this thread has been viewed over 550 times. I bet there are a few more people with opinions out there. Please keep informing us all

 

[DBR]

Koa Man, very well said.