Flexplate billet or laminated? Opinions!

[Bandit1]

have been doing some research on both, talked to people done searches. no i would like some more input from users. the people i have talked to that run the laminated flexplate beat the $*** out of it and i havent heard of one failing yet. so is a billet one really worth it, it is more $$ to say the least and it has to weigh quite a bit more. I know common sense says solid piece of machined billet is stronger than a laminated one but is the cheaper (price) of the 2 will suit my needs just fine that is the way i am going to go. I just dont want to drop the trans more than once. So who uses what and what is everyones opinions? I am only looking to stay in the 600 range, and it is my daily driver and occasional sled puller, and snow plowing machine. Also how has high hp that it is still running a stocker or sled pulls with a stocker? thanks to all josh

 

[WadePatton]

Well Josh, I haven't run either, BUT I've heaped a huge pile of abuse on my stocker with a Suncoast behind it, and I'd feel quite secure using a laminated plate. Metalurgically speaking (and I don't play a metalurgist, even on TV) my guess is that the molecular grain structure (being slightly varied between the two plates) of the laminated style would enhance the durability of the product.



Now let the experienced users speak.

 

[AFarmer]

ATS Billet - I am very happy with mine.

 

[lmills]

I know a guy that knows a guy that knows a guy that has some nice flexplates. :-laf

 

[Bandit1]

can the guy that knows a guy who knows a guy do any pump tuning?

haha i was waiting for you to post on this thread, talk to you later

 

[RobertP]

i have seen a guy go through a few trannies with one laminated flexplate and those trannies have been through hell. one even bent an intermedate shaft on a hard 25 psi launch. still holding strong.



sorry it was a laminated plate.

 

[Luken]

I beat the snot out of my suncoast laminated. 15,000 miles so far

 

[JVolpe]

I have beat pretty hard on my Suncoast Laminated flexplate also. It seems to be holding anything I can throw at it. Hope the rest holds up as well.

 

[Timbeaux38]

I know of several trucks from down this way that have grenaded most transmission parts other than the SC flexplate. but then again, they only run 9's and 10's

 

[Stefan Kondolay]

I personally haven't looked at the laminated plates, but if they are built the way that I would assume, then one thing to be careful of is that they run true. If they are welded you run a big risk of distortions the plates are very thin. That's why I would look more into a thicker one piece, from which ever company. If the flexplate isn't running true then neither is the Torque Converter, obviously the owners of the plates or the makers would better know whether the are welded together or not.

 

[Graphic man]

I broke my stocker and went with the DTT flexplate... works great !!!!!!

 

[paulb]

I put in a DTT billet before I broke my stoker. The name of the game in racing is the one that wins the most rounds wins. You can't win rounds with a broken truck. For me it's not a matter if it will do, but what is better. My $. 02 worth...



Paul

 

[Allnew2Me]

I just installed a Suncoast laminated flexplate in my truck two weeks ago. They take a stock plate and add the center section out of another and weld it together. There is no distortion or out of balance or out of round condition at all. All the holes line up perfectly. It is exactly twice the thickness of a stock plate, and many guys out there with power are running stock plates. I don't see the need to spend any more on a billet. I'm sure the billet plates are much more lovely to look at but I can't see mine when it is installed. The Suncoast plate is fully SFI certified if that means anything. I think that the term billet is over used. They call them billet input shafts also, but the stock shafts are billet shafts also, the real difference is in the metallurgy but the term billet sells parts. Do billet battery holdowns perform better than stock, or do they just look nicer to some? I suppose to some it is a matter of insurance, or how good you feel about the parts in your truck, but function and purpose is what we all really want. If it takes a billet whatever to get that warm feeling then I guess it is worth it but in the matter of flexplates I don't think there is any advantage.

 

[DennisPerry]

I run a SFI certified Laminated flexplate from SunCoast and have never broke it. The link below is a video of some of Joe Webb's work.



http://www.dieselperformancemotorsports.com/media/TSRockingham1024.wmv



Dennis

 

[torkin]

laminated flexplates

I personally haven't looked at the laminated plates, but if they are built the way that I would assume, then one thing to be careful of is that they run true. If they are welded you run a big risk of distortions the plates are very thin. That's why I would look more into a thicker one piece, from which ever company. If the flexplate isn't running true then neither is the Torque Converter, obviously the owners of the plates or the makers would better know whether the are welded together or not.

Well, looks like the innuendos are crawling out again. Yes, if you think you can just weld 2 pieces of metal together for a flexplate, you are breathing too much black smoke. The fixturing, welding, stress relieving, straitning, and balancing, involves considerable time and labor. The Sun Coast plate runs true within . 004 TIR and is balanced within (2) grams. All plates are SFI certified, this certification involves rotation in excess of 12,000 RPMS. We currently have in excess of 400 in service. I have replaced 2 that developed small cracks, that is . 5 %, I'll take that anyday. We have numerous Sun Coast plates behind BIG power.

Garmon, Stucky,Morrison,Perry,Prince,Fletcher,Harris,Hellman,Carter,Wheeler,

All of these trucks run between 600 to 900 RWHP and in excess of !800# torque on some of them. I will not get into a p---ing match about billet vs lamineted. It is my belief that some FLEX needs to be allowed for alignment.

If a billet works for some, great. I am glad that there is more than one way to skin a cat.

Smoop

 

[Bandit1]

thanks for all the replys, i am not made of money and price comes down in the end. if one product will perform as well as another for less $ then that sounds like a good deal to me. I am often wondered about needing some flex, it is called a flexplate and something has to give somewhere in the drivetrain. if there is no flex anywhere (cushion) then something is going to break. thanks again. josh

 

[smokinrod]

well ,you guys know that I am by far not a Suncoast supporter. But I have been putting 809hp and 1498tq (sled pulling) threw my suncoast laminated flexplate for a hole season and it is in perfect shape.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

WHY would any thinking person seriously attempt to imply that those making/selling billet plates are smart enough to know how - but guys doing the laminated DON'T



Working with flexplates, either billet OR laminated isn't exactly rocket science, or filled with vast unknown mysteries - and I'm pretty sure BOTH groups put their pants on one leg at a time like the rest of us ignorant mortals...



So why would anyone pretend there's lots of deep difficulty and technical mystery in placing 2 pieces of metal together properly to deliver accurate runout and strength? :-{} :-laf :-laf



Happy Holidays to all - Oo. Oo.

 

[jwilliams3]

For the extra $150 I would get the billet and not worry.



IMO.