Goerend Torque Converters and Transmission Mods

[D. Showan]

I've been driving my truck for a couple of days now with a converter and various valve body modifications from Dave Goerend. I have to say that it works real nice. When you step on the throttle the truck goes instead of the tach. Fluid coupling is much better than stock, now when it goes into lockup it seems like just another gear not the 700rpm drop I got before. Dave designed the TC and Valve body mods for my application (I told him I may up the HP to the 230-250 HP range)

I had to have the transmission rebuilt at the local stealership so my extended warranty would cover most of the repairs (I had a whole list other than the trans) I payed for the modifications. Dave sent various valves, springs, levers, seals and diagrams etc. for the dealership tech to use in the install. He also spent several hours on the phone walking the tech through the modifications. The dealership charged me for every minute the tech was on the phone learning from Dave and making the mods. Dave made nothing for all his extra help. In hind sight I could have had him send me a modified valve body for much less money.



I teach Automotive Technology but I'm not a Automatic transmission expert. There is no doubt in my mind that I now have a strong reliable transmission.



I am making these comments to thank Dave and to tell people that there are other good choices when it comes to modifications of our automatics.



His products and customer service are second to none and his prices???( just call him yourself) 1-563-778-2719



For anyone out there that reads this and has any kind of desire to cut down Dave or his products or thinks they may put in a plug for their favorite company------- I am asking you very specifically-------- DON'T DO IT. If you want to do that, start your own thread. Other comments are welcome of course . Thanks for reading, D. Showan

 

[pwr2tow]

D. ,

Thanks for the update and I wish you well.



I have been going to call goerend and talk to them and make a post of what I felt about their company, you beat me to it and a good post also.



I'am glad to see you finally made up your mind on which product you choose to use, I think you are the kind of man that will keep everyone informed, good or bad.



Thanks,

Ron

 

[Koa Man]

Dave Goerend also spent 2. 5 hours with me on the phone giving me a college education on how a TC transmits power and how fluid coupling and a whole bunch of other stuff works. I admit most of it went over my head, but I did learn a lot. This happened on a Sat. evening at his home and I could hear his family in the background. He was even going to send me some modified valves and stuff to try in my VB for free, but I declined since I did not want to try messing with the VB, transmissions scare me. He spent all this time sharing information with a complete stranger, knowing I wasn't going to buy anything. I did send him some Kona coffee in appreciation, but that was nothing in comparision with what I got in return. Think of what 2. 5 hours on a phone with an attorney would cost.

 

[thepitts]

Site

I think this is their web site, I will e-mail them for more info.



http://www.gbtransmissions.com/default.htm



Always looking for more info, on the fence

 

[Dieselnerd]

I have not posted during the last several months since I was on my annual southern trek to Arizona. I use my cell phone for email but it's too slow to use on the TDR website. I'm in Shreveport now, at my son's house so I'm able to plug my PC into a real phone line. Just a short report on how well my Goerend mods performed during my winter trip. I'm towing a 13,500# fifth wheel and for the first time I made the entire trip in overdrive. That's towing up some pretty steep grades! I did use my TC unlock switch on some of the grades where I normally had to shift out of OD. This allowed me to hold my speed at a slightly higher rpm without the slowdown of the lower gear. The transmission did not overheat either. I take my temp at the hot line going to the cooler and when unlocked on a long grade the temp never went above 190. Normal towing it stays at around 150. With about 5000 miles of towing heavy with Dave's mods, it works just like I expected it to. I'm just as happy as I was last year when I first reported on it and got flamed so bad I was somewhat upset. I have contacted Dave and told him how pleased I was with the towing performance. I'll be home in Minnesota on April 10th or 11th and expect to be posting again.

 

[Sky]

I remeber that post dieselnerd and it was ugly. I really think that MOST aftermarket transmission upgrades are a lot better than stock for sure. And the average "Joe" Isnt really going to see a huge difference if you use Goernd, DTT, AST etc..... As long as you got good service and your happy then who cares. I know I probly personaly woudnt know the differance If I bought one or the other. Everybody reports the same good results. It seems like what ever you buy first then thats the best to a lot of people.



Good to hear postitive results!

 

[LSMITH]

Thanks for the info on Goerends guys. I have heard nothing but good about Dave from the guys that have done business with him.

 

[tmacc]

Bodine, are you out there? Why don't you tell us about your new Goerend triple lock up TC that has the same internals as ATS?Oo. I'm sure others wouls like to hear about it too.

 

[D. Showan]

On my screen this thread disappeared so I am posting to see if it comes back and also to thank those who made comments. I will keep everyone informed on how my trans is performing (good or bad)

 

[BigYellowIron]

Dave has to be one of the most inteligent guys that I talk to and the most willing to take the time to explain a concept to you.



I have ran two of Daves converters, the first one that I ran was just the properly milled stator with the stock lockup. I changed that converter, not because it was failing but I could slip the clutch with my power. It also held 410hp and 907tq before it sliped.



I was talking to Dave one day and he told me about this triple disk that he was trying. He also said that he found a modification that really improved the efficiency of the fluid coupling. I decided to try one of those. When Lacy (Bodine) went up there to have one installed into his truck. Dave already had me one built and sent it home with Lacy to save me the shipping cost (thanks alot Lacy!!!)



Dave refused my payment for about a full month untill I ran this converter at my HP and was sure that I was happy with it, then I payed for it. I was willing to send him a check the day that I got the converter in my hands but my being happy was more importiant than Dave getting my money, that says alot for a bussiness and alot for a Man.



Let me just say that this stuff performs just as well and anything else out there.



If anyone has any questions about any of Daves stuff that I run please ask me here or send me an E-mail.



Adam Harman

 

[KatDiesel]

Dave is a very nice guy and always willing to explain things.



He is upfront and honest... ..... hes not one of the more "talked" about transmission guys but if anyone is wondering whether or not to do business with him..... don't (worry that is), hes a heckuva smart transmission guy.



He installed my shift way back when all I had was a PowerEdge.....



I just happen to run the DTT stuff now... . just my choice of poison.

 

[Fireman Dave]

Originally posted by KatDiesel

Dave is a very nice guy and always willing to explain things.



He is upfront and honest... ..... hes not one of the more "talked" about transmission guys but if anyone is wondering whether or not to do business with him..... don't (worry that is), hes a heckuva smart transmission guy.

Oh... I don't know - I've seen Bill K. talk about him before. :-laf



Hey Dieselnerd - come on down to Dave's in May for our dyno day!

See more info on it here: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=38608

 

[Steve Roseman]

Adam,

Tell me more about this triple disc lockup clutch, I couldn't find anything about it on his website.

I've been watching the ATS threads with interest, actually all the auto transmission threads.

 

[StakeMan]

Ya just to love a non-slipping lock up. No matter who's it is.

 

[BigYellowIron]

Originally posted by Steve Roseman

Adam,

Tell me more about this triple disc lockup clutch, I couldn't find anything about it on his website.

I've been watching the ATS threads with interest, actually all the auto transmission threads.

What do you want to know about them? I think it is pretty well the same setup as the other 3 disk converters.



The SOP feel of the fluid coupling is quite the same as some of the leading competitors.



If you decide agenst the 3 disk it is alot cheeper. the 3 disk requires a billet front cover an it is quite expensive.



When the truck locks up it is tight and holds all of my power.



At full throttle going up a 5 percent grade, when the pcm tells it to lock-up you cannot feel it from the fluid coupling.



Adam

 

[bodine]

Just a note about Daves 3 disc converter. It works well for me and I pull 10,000 or so 5 th wheel. I am not going to say how it works as others know a lot more, I have pulled about 5000 miles so far with it and it is everything I thought it would be. But the main reason I bought it from Dave is because I know him and he has always been their to answer any questions for me. Is it better than any body elses? I don't know , I would think that anybody making the same product would have the same performance. The thing about Dave is he makes his living rebuilding automatic transmissions. And that means all of them not just one of them. As far as I know I think Adam {big yellow Iron } has it covered. I personally think all products are fine if you like them. And just for your information I also have a DTT valve body that I had before the converter. I have also sent my friends up to Daves and had their transmissions done. Yeah I would go back , But not until it warms up in May. Lacy

 

[Steve Roseman]

I'm sure anyone's triple disc would hold my power output. I'm just educating myself for the future. My stock transmission and BD converter work fine, but I know they probably won't outlast the Cummins.

The thing that caught my attention on the ATS thread was going through the gears in lockup. They say there is a dampener to control the shock. To me this is a very attractive function.

I'm not trying to compare the different converters to stir things up, just trying to educate myself on all options.

 

[D. Showan]

Steve Roseman,

I'm sorry no one made a reply to your question I think everyone who posted including me is afraid this thread will turn sour and nobody, (especially me) wants that. Give Dave a call and ask him about the dampener in his TC. I don't have an answer for you.



I would also like to thank ALL the members of the TDR for keeping this thread on the high plain it was. D. Showan

 

[Steve Roseman]

D. Showan, thanks for responding. I will give Dave a call so I can get the story straight from the horse's mouth so to speak.

Bodine, I got your PM and thank you. Goerend's is about 3 to 4 hours from here, I'm in the South central part of the state.

I would like to second Showan's thanks to those who have posted like adults and prevented this thread from becoming a three-ring circus like some of the other transmission threads.

 

[Pull'nOld Iron]

heading that way

This is a comforting thread. I've been researching the various makers of upgrades. Most are frequently "discussed" here.



Regardless my conversations with Dave have been informative and reassuring. I feel his solutions are exactly the combination of performance and $$ I'm looking for.



So Dave if your listening, see ya soon. I hope I can add my 2cts with the others.