DTT: to Billet or not to Billet....

[R-N-R]

I'm really swaying back and forth on the fence with the billet thing... .



'02 2500 - QC/LB Cap, 2wd 4:10 Auto

AFE intake, Magnaflow (turbo to tail), EZ, turnbuckled wastegate



6500# 28' TT - wife , two kids, and a large dog in the summer months



This is my daily driver (short trips) and I want to keep it "comfortable" for the family. I will not be pulling a sled or drag racing, but I would like to play on the street, including an occasional brake torque (unless my upgrade package or lack thereof dictates otherwise). The truck is definitely not a race truck, street or otherwise.



Soon to add: TC, VB, & Update Kit

Plan to add: RV275 or DDII (most likely)

Future (at least 2+ years if at all ???): DDIII, HX40, Edge Comp



The Billet Servo w/ Cover & Accumulator and Billet Input Shaft & Hub are not only a question of $800, but really a question of an air filter system for the house. Which certainly could pave the way for future upgrades.



So, logic dictates to go with the billet parts while the trans is being upgraded. However, the "chance of part failure" portion of the equation is where I am currently stuck.



Would anybody like to lend their insight on this dilemma? I could sure use some more input before I make a decision.



Thanks in advance,

Bill

 

[kprice]

transmission upgrade

Don't know much about billet stuff your talking about but, I had baker diesel here in utah install the DTT transmission upgrade, 89% verision not the racer. I pull a boat about 7200 lbs over 6 an 7% grade. I have a turnbuckle Edge EZ comp box and run it on setting 3-4 to control exhaust temps. Stock filter with 4" ats pipe and muffler. Love the set up. Plenty of power. 60mph at the crest of 6% grade (long pull)exhaust temps at 11-1200, transmission performs wonderful. In service for a year an 27000 miles. Don't know if this helps. I tried DDII injectors and took them out didnt like all the smoke adhering to the boat. Comp and stock gives me plenty.

 

[Snow man]

Bill, your future mods,and the fact tht you want to brake torque it are why id suggest the billet parts. If I were you id get the billet 2nd servo,its a great piece,and really tightens up the fluid leaks in 3rd,and helps 2nd-3rd cross leaks. The billet shaft, is a gamble,roll the dice. With EZ and dd2's,probably no problems,but you never know. My stock shaft lasted a yr at 440hp,it never broke,I went to a race TC,and I put a billet one in then.

 

[BillGotthelf]

Bill-I don't believe you will need the Billet (hardened) input shaft. I put one in only because I drag race my truck. I don't believe you will develope the power to hurt a stock input shaft.

 

[R-N-R]

KPrice, interesting info infon the DDIIs, thank you!



Snow man, DTT recommended the TC VB and UK, and mentioned that the Servo would be a good addition as well. I would not put the future mods on without the complete trans upgrade. Eating the labor does not bother me too much, rolling the dice usually bites me in the a$$ though.



Bill G. ,

I don't believe you will develope the power to hurt a stock input shaft.

Now that wouldn't be a challenge would it??? I can hear myself now... . "but honey, they challenged me!" Good thing I have an expandable excuse book!

 

[BillGotthelf]

What I should have said was with what you plan on adding I don't believe you will develop enough power to hurt your input shaft.

 

[R-N-R]

BillGotthelf,



Thank you, I do appreciate the clarification. But I will still use the new bombing excuse.



Thanks again,

Bill

 

[Stefan Kondolay]

From our point of view when considering a billet input shaft and hub we look at a couple of things, are you drag racing and power braking and the most important thing is are you using an exhaust brake or a lockup device. It is not a question of hp, we have seen trucks pushing over 700 hp that have not broken the input shaft. In most cases the input shaft can handle the hp, occasionally you will get a bad casting from the factory. We have seen these things break on trucks with less than 275 hp. It was caused by their lockup up devices, all lock up devices ours included is generally the cause of the input shaft breakage. If you can afford it, obviously it is good insurance but not mandatory unless you are running a lock up device or exhaust break with a lock up device or planning on drag racing.

 

[BFC]

Go Billet, it's only money. Mine WASN'T a drag truck either... ... ...

 

[Magnum Express]

Go with the billet servo and accumulater and hold back on the billet input shaft. The whole idea is to control internal leakage and Bill has done his homework and made this possible using the billet components and seals.

 

[DBCooper]

I had a stock input break on me because of a bad casting. I'm at a much lower HP than you plan to be at. The sound of that shaft breaking is horrible (and by the way I wasn't floggin' it) and I didn't want to hear it again, so now have the billet shaft. I was amazed at how poorly the stock input was cast, but do realize that not all of them are that way.

Dan

 

[John]

Thanks a lot Stefan! As you know, I had my DTT upgrades well before you ever offered the billet input shaft (or other higher performance pieces) and now you are scarin' the he11 out of me with your exhaust brake warning.



<--- was like this



<--- now like this



:{ <--- hopefully never like this!

 

[tcourse]

JOHN

From what I hear, they aren't to worried about your Trans.



Something about your truck only being idled around the block a few times a year:--) Tell me this isn't so:--)



TC

 

[Stefan Kondolay]

John as you well know Bill took your solem oath to heart, you will never hook up your pump wire, and besides which we all know you drive like an old lady, ( no offense to to old ladies) .



So your tc and valve body upgrade should be fine for a good long time. Besides every one tells us you don't drive your truck in the rain so as you live in the North West , how much do you drive it?

 

[John]

Man...you guys ARE cold!

Hook up my pump wire? Are you serious? I ran 448. 2 BHP/1,018 lb. ft. torque at Diesel Thunder II (backed up by a virtually identical run). Pierced pump wire? Ya think? ( )



No offense to old ladies? Come on! Where's Vinnie and Shanti when I need them for support?



Just because I've spent most of the winter working on upgrades on my Ram...



with more planned...



give me a break.



Or better yet, give me a screamin' deal on a next generation DTT transmission enhancement.

 

[JR2]

I will second that... .



I got my upgrades before there were billet shafts, or billet piston thinggies... Now I am going to have to go back and add all the good stuff so I can run my super mentals. .



I remember fondly the day I ordered my DTT stuff. Told Bill I was going to have 275 injectors and maybe a box of some kind..... now look at my signature. .



Do it once, do it right and forget about it... ...







JR2

 

[John]

Re: Man...you guys ARE cold!

Originally posted by John

Or better yet, give me a screamin' deal on a next generation DTT transmission enhancement.

... guess that shut Stefan up! :-laf :-laf :-laf :-laf