Edge EZ and stock torque converter slippage

[Challenger-II]

Hi All,



I believe I may be getting torque converter slippage with just an EZ?? If I am lugging up a hill doing around 45mpg (converter in lock-up) and I moderately press the pedal to accelerate, I hear the moan of the truck come alive (rpm's increase) and , Yes... I do increase some speed but feel maybe the converter is slipping. If I mash the pedal harder it will kick down out of lock up and drop down a gear which is normal. This only happens on acceleration light enough not to kick it down out of lock-up. Is there any real way to determine if it is slipping? If it is, how do I deal with it without changing the converter and valve body? I thought the EZ was fine with a stock auto?:{



Appreciate help on determining if it is slipping?

 

[Mactruck]

Sounds like it's lugging, Not slipping.

If you are going 45 MPH, are you in Overdrive? If you have a 3. 54 ratio and if all of the above is correct. you are at about 1400-1500 RPM. That is not in the optimal torque area of the Cummins (You know, the SWEET SPOT )

This might explain why the RPMs go up a little. However it's working against the engine itself because it's not reving high enough.

 

[Challenger-II]

Originally posted by Mactruck

Sounds like it's lugging, Not slipping.

If you are going 45 MPH, are you in Overdrive? If you have a 3. 54 ratio and if all of the above is correct. you are at about 1400-1500 RPM. That is not in the optimal torque area of the Cummins (You know, the SWEET SPOT )

YES... . I am in OD and have the 3. 54. I hear the engine moan louder as I accelerate and depending on the grade of the hill, I dont see the speed increase equally. I would figute that if the engine soung increases, so should the speed.

 

[Big White Beast]

Turn up the pressure.......

If you can't afford the DTT stuff yet turn up your pressure. There is a section on the DTT site that tells you how to do it. It helped my beast a bit till I upgraded. Call Bill and let him know what your driving conditions are, towing hauling etc. and he will advise you on how many turns it takes to raise the pressure adequately. If I rember it 3# of pressure per turn. Stock will only hold an extra 9# or so. Remeber theres only so much you can do stock. But bill's the one to call, don't take my word for it.



Plus that would be a good time to put some nice clean fluid & filter in. Change out the line while your at it and install a transmission temp gauge. Very useful for the abuse we put these trucks through.



Garrett

 

[Mactruck]

If your RPM's are too low at around 1400 - 1500 RPM's. The line pressures of your Valve body are low as well. Valve bodies are dependent on RPMs for fluid pressure. If you are lugging the motor you will slip the transmission. If you downshift from OD to Direct (3rd) you will (probably) eliminate the problem.

I've run an EZ for about 6 months with no problems. However I am getting the DTT treatment this saturday because of my newest addition, DDII's

 

[chuck3]

You can slip the trans with just the EZ. Mine held up for about 6 months and then started doing what you described when towing. Then it started doing it running empty. So I went for the DTT upgrades, best money I've spent on truck so far. Oo.

chuck.

 

[Terry]

It might be sliping at that low of speed in overdrive.



If it is and you continue to drive it that way the lockup clutch will be toast almost as fast as you could make toast.



I don't turn on my overdrive untill 60 mph.

 

[Snow man]

I know it is slipping,with the EZ you now have more power at same RPMwith less throttle pedal. Without throttle pushed as fat not enough line pressure. 45 is to slow for OD,keep it off until 55mph,especially on hills. If you like to lug the engine ,with it bombed,than you will be replacing trannys regularly. Now that you turned up the power it is no longer idiot proof. My 2000 slipped with an EZ,4. 10's at 50 mph in OD,which is a lot more RPM;s than your slipped at. Bill K can help you,either with a new VB,or by turning up pressures of yours until you can afford the proper upgrades.

 

[jweir]

My lockup clutch lasted about 1/2 day before it began slipping. With the Comp in #1, I can be cruising down the highway at 55, EMPTY, and roll into the throttle and the lockup clutch will slip. . :{ Oh well, if your gonna play, your gonna pay... I am setting up an appointment with the DTT gang tomorrow Oo.



Jim

 

[Challenger-II]

Guys...



What am I looking at to help this? I know a converter and valve body are the way to go, but can I get away with just a valve body? Roughly what is the cost for this upgrade? I tried what several people suggested and drove today with the OD button off until I reached 55mpg. I usually never touched that button. It was strange... . sounded like the rpm's were too high. I wasnt use to it.

 

[Mactruck]

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You may not be used to it, but the Might Cummins is!!

These graphs show where you get the most horses as well as torque. You don't have to worry until about maybe 2800 rpm's if your over-reving.



On the Auto transmission, it states the peak torque is 420 lb-ft (from 1600 to 2700 rpm) on a 1998 - 2000. Here is the web address that lists the information.

http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/Facts/98ISBspecs.html

 

[Snow man]

Challenger 11,get used to using OD off,if your going to run with it bombed,no auto transmission will hold up and work well at real low RPM'sin OD for long especially with 3. 55's. s soon as you try to acclerate it wil slip,and the more power you add,the worse it will get. Get a valve body for now,do it now,before you toast your TC,you know who to call to get it,just do it.

 

[Big White Beast]

My OD defaults to off......

A little realy hooked to the ignition swicth to send a ground to the button and its off right as the truck starts. Most people say I'm lazy, I just forget. Once I'm rolling I always seem to remeber to shift it as necessary. Go figure,



Garrett

 

[Dr.Kayak]

It looks like the general consensus is the EZ will eventually, no matter what, destroy a stock transmission. Has ANYONE ran an EZ with a stock transmission for a year or more with no problems? I find myself driving totally different with the EZ, trying to protect the transmission. I’m certainly not enjoying the EZ as much I should be.

 

[Mactruck]

Dr. Kayak...

As I said before, I've run my EZ for the last 6 months and had no problems. It wasn't till I added the DDII's did I start to worry. My honest opinion is that if I didn't add the injectors, the transmission would have lasted. (as long as you expect any DC transmission to last. Bombed or not ) I'm not having problems running the DDII's w/ the EZ right now, I just don't want to push my luck.

PS: Nice pics on your website. I wish I was there. :{

 

[chuck3]

Dr. Kayak, Yes a friend of mine has an 01 and has had his EZ a year and couple of weeks. But he babys his truck and very seldom even kicks in the EZ if you know what I mean.

 

[Dr.Kayak]

Mactruck --- Sounds good. The way I baby it. I hope it will be OK. I knew I would get the DTT setup even before I bought the truck. Just hat to spend the money. The wife would kill me.



P. S. the picture on the web site are Norther California. Moved here 15 years ago from West Virginia. Love the Sierra!