DTT converters = good

["Mad Max"]

... THIS... is some gooood stuff.



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I just swapped this clam into my 518 and I likey Oo. . DTT 1st gen converter - it's their '89%' gig, and it is 100% worth it. To say it's 'better' doesn't do it justice - it feels like a whole different transmission. It loads the engine nice and hard now and the turbo finally has some productive work to do. It is especially better above 50 mph - it stalls out nice and low - probably right around 1200 rpm - holds the torque tight, and above 50 mph it's all motor now. DTT makes the good stuff y'all - absolutely fantastic. There are other mfg's for converters, but this is my second DTT unit - one for both of my 1st gens - and both trucks feel totally better compared to the converters in there before. At 75 mph the truck is just cruising along - cruising... not straining to get there or maintain speed... cruisin' man, and I love it - it's exactly what I wanted. So, will a 1st gen be happy with 36" tires and 3. 55's??? All day long. Just takes the right parts in the right places... and a lot of torque :-laf.



If you own a 1st gen Dodge Cummins rig with an auto... the converter should be the #1 upgrade. Not gauges, not turbo, not injectors... do the converter. Without it... all the power upgrades won't be realized and the transmission will cook itself. Do the converter. Yeah they're expensive - so are turbos, injectors, yadda yadda - without a good converter all the power mods are moot. Goerends, Suncoast, and DTT are the top 3, and they're all good. I continue to have great performance from my first DTT unit so that drove the decision for the second - no need to change what ain't broke



- Sam

 

[peobryant]

I've been looking into a new converter for my truck, and have been gathering information on it. Quite a few people have told me to rebuild my auto, even to just stock specs if I'm going to install a new converter. Would you reccomend this, or did you just install it and go?



I'm sure it has a lot to do with what shape the transmission is in already, but mine has a little less than 190K, and they are all highway miles, no towing or hauling. If I do rebuild it, how much do you think a stock rebuild would be?



By the way, that converter looks really nice. Makes me want to get one even more...



Thanks

 

["Mad Max"]

based on your inputs here I'd say you'd be fine with just a good converter. That alone will immediately make the transmission run cooler and tha talways aids longevity. It sounds like your transmission has been well cared for and not run too hard, and presuming the fluid smells good and is still 'pinkish' I'd say you're not in need of a rebuild. At the very least a fresh converter will also mean fresh fluid and a filter and that's always good. If you don't feel any slipping and the overdrive engages nice and firm, I'd say you'll be totally amazed at how much a difference a good converter will make your truck feel. It'll get up to speed so much easier and it'll cruise along almost effortlessly - it's pretty amazing. The good converters (DTT, Suncoast, Goerands) are all about the same $ and I'm pretty sure they all net very similar results, and they are worth the money



Post back after you've installed it - I know what you'll say. It'll be something like, "now I want a bigger turbo!" It's a vicious curse - welcome to the party :-laf



- M2

 

[peobryant]

I already want a bigger turbo, and injectors, and transmission...



I have been thinking for a while, and want to make a reliable 300-350rwhp. Do you think I would need a rebuild for my transmission to handle that? I plan on going with a Goerend converter, and a stock rebuild, but I'm not sure if that will enough...



I really want a new converter now, and will probably do that before all the bombing begins. Better to have a reliable transmission before I NEED it, right?

 

[Firstgenfanantic]

Mad Max, I enjoyed reading your success story on the new torque converter. My transmission is currently bone-stock with 205K original miles on it. The biggest thing I hate about my 1st gen is how much throttle I have to give it to keep up with traffic (60mph+). The pickup really strains to keep up around 60mph. It takes a while for me to achieve cruising speed getting onto the on-ramp. Pitafull! I think a converter swap would make driving way more enjoyable!

 

["Mad Max"]

I can just about guarantee it - yer rig will feel 'new' with one of the hard core converters. But ya gotta git the good stuff, not the cheap stuff. If yer cracking open the belly, go for the grand slam

 

[peobryant]

Mad Max, I enjoyed reading your success story on the new torque converter. My transmission is currently bone-stock with 205K original miles on it. The biggest thing I hate about my 1st gen is how much throttle I have to give it to keep up with traffic (60mph+). The pickup really strains to keep up around 60mph. It takes a while for me to achieve cruising speed getting onto the on-ramp. Pitafull! I think a converter swap would make driving way more enjoyable!

It's not listed in your sig, so I'm going to assume you don't have one, but a DennyT Stage II Fuel Pin, will get rid of that problem. I had the same problem you do, and when I installed the pin I was very impressed. Not only did I gain a lot more power, the transmission shifts much better, because you don't have to give it nearly as much throttle. When I would pull out on the highway, in order to get it up to speed, it would take quite a bit of throttle, so the transmission wouldn't shift into overdrive until around 45-50mph. With my DennyT pin, it shifts into overdrive right at 35mph, because I don't have to use nearly as much throttle as I used to.



Sorry for the book, but I am very satisfied with the product, and will reccomend it to anyone. If you tow, the pin will only help.

 

[Firstgenfanantic]

It's not listed in your sig, so I'm going to assume you don't have one, but a DennyT Stage II Fuel Pin, will get rid of that problem. If you tow, the pin will only help.

Peobryant, thanks for responding and sharing your positive experience with the Denny T pin. I am aware of this pin and plan to buy one soon. I have heard absolutely nothing bad about this pin. Everyone says its the best $100 they ever spent on their 1st gen! I plan to tow a boat and 5th wheeler in the coming years, so towing with this pin is important info to me. Thanks

 

[peobryant]

Peobryant, thanks for responding and sharing your positive experience with the Denny T pin. I am aware of this pin and plan to buy one soon. I have heard absolutely nothing bad about this pin. Everyone says its the best $100 they ever spent on their 1st gen! I plan to tow a boat and 5th wheeler in the coming years, so towing with this pin is important info to me. Thanks

You're welcome. I'm happy to help any way I can. Another option is to grind the stock fuel pin, but personally, I don't think it is as good as the DennyT pin. There is a video on YouTube comparing the DennyT pin, and a stock ground pin on a dyno, and the DennyT pin gives the truck a lot more power. It's really up to you, but I think paying $100 for the DennyT pin is completley justified, even if you can grind your own.