How do they compare?

[mikel]

Hi all,



I may be replacing my current truck (see sig) with a '92 that has an automatic.



I like the way that my '01 runs, so my question is how will the 92 run compared to the '01? Can the '92 be BOMBed to run as well as the '01, or is this beyond the ability of the VE pump?



Anyone have any advice or guidance they would share with a newby?





Thanks,

Mike

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

There is no doubt that the '01' has more potential for making HP.

It uses the still relatively new VP injection pump ( I believe), which like the VE has some limitations but far less of them in my opinion.



The 1st Gen trucks have a 'generally accepted' limitation of around 300 RWHP unless you really want to get a bit wild.

You can go with a PDR turbo and 'supertuned' VE pump, injectors etc. and make some nice HP.

Nascar Mark has his 93 tuned up to somewere around 300 RWHP at this time.

In my case I'm somewere around 225 RWHP without too much effort/stress/loss of mileage.

The weak link will be the TC/VB/transmission. Our convertors are just not efficient enough when you start uprating the HP alot.

If your transmission has been well kept/serviced you can put in a shift kit, get a good servicing, and run it till it drops. THEN get Bill K. to build you a real drivetrain for it. :--) :--)



The 1st Gens are much nicer to work on too. Unfortunately our versions do not have 'dynamic' timing and so that can be a little bit of a drawback since you can't run a "box" like the newer trucks can.



All in all though, the 1st Gens are a nice pice of machinery and I'd never sell mine while its running, and I've had LOTS of offers, including being followed to work till I parked so the guy could try to buy it.



Bob.

 

[Power Wagon]

Just ask Muddymess and Vaughn MacKenzie how well 1st gen trucks can roll compared to an ISB with a little warming.



Muddy's slightly BOMB'ed ETH could not outrun me, 50 to 95.



(both of them can, now, but, both have more BOMBs than when we compared performance)



With an auto, your first need will be to service the transmission, make sure it's clean and not eating itself inside, and then update the converter.



Next, if you wanna bomb the darn thing, you're going to need a new converter. Bill K's 89 or 91 will work good, 93 will work better under certain conditions.



I have less than 220 RWHP, and I had to get another 250-300 RPM over stock JUST TO USE IT. I can reach nearly 2500 standing still, without slipping a tire, with teh power I have now. And the transmission ain't slipping. The stock converter just isn't up to the task.



On the other hand, the injection pump has a built in advance, that allows you to run at efficient timing settings on the road, yet idle quietly. Most ISB's sound like threshing machines at idle, compared to the purr mine makes. Installing PW injectors was the key there.



A good, efficient torque converter, 4 inch exhaust from Rip Rook, a set of PW injectors, retimed ahead a bit, more intake airflow, a 12 or 14 CM wastgated turbo housing, and some fiddling here and there, and you can make that little D or W truck flat-out fly.



My truck smokes very little, and gets decent economy, as well.



Of course, the mighty ISB has more potential that our little VE equipped 12V "square" trucks, but more than a few 24V's will have trouble seeing more than the tailights of a good-running 92

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Ya, what PW said...



I had an '02' that couldn't pull away from me just this last weekend, and it wasn't stock either.



bob.

 

[hdm48]

Well now, I guess I had better jump in here. My late 91 4x4 does not have a fancy torque converter, It has a 3 1/2" straight pipe, POD injectors, AW HECK, just look at my sig.

BUT, I must make it known that with 198,000 miles it will do 15. 80 sec @ 84 mph in the quarter. And I still get 18 mpg in town and 21 on the freeway at 70mph.

Of course I have done some mods myself that most people don't have the tools for, but, the basic engine is still stock at this time.

I don't care what you have been told in the past, the 727 is the stongest automatic transmission ever made. The weak link in these 500's and 518's is the overdrive and the converter can get a little sloppy after time.

Even if I were to win the lotto I would keep this truck. I may buy a new one just so I can own a brand new ugly truck. But that would be the only reason.

And I am not done getting power out of mine. this is fun, you get your cake and get to eat it too.



dave

 

[mikel]

Ok, thanks everyone!



So I have been looking around and can't seem to find out what transmission this truck has in it. I had a '99 with the r47e, but I know that transmission didn't exist in '92. Does this truck have maybe the r47h, or is is a non-overdrive piece? Now I'm kinda confused



I should get a chance to go drive it this weekend so is there anything other than the transmission I should pay special attention to?



Thanks again for all the help!



Mike

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Unless I'm mistaken ( its happened before )

It should have the A518 which has the OD.

All you need to do is look on the dash, down low below the speedo and if there is a button inset in the black dash panel its the A518. If no button/OD then its the 727. .

BTW, I agree hdm48 the 727 is a great trans. and is still used/sought after for race applications.



Bob.

 

[XGoldman]

Boy am I confused.

I have the OD button on the dash, therefore according to this thread I have the A518 transmission.

BUT... .

Every time I have asked the dealer they keep insisting that I have the 46RH. According to my data tag the transmission code is: DGB = 4 speed auto, not DGRS= 4 speed automatic(46RH).



I got the code definitions from a summary report printed by the dealer.



Is this just another example of "5-star" wisdom?

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

XGoldman,



I am looking at the printout of my truck as it came from the factory.

It says... ... . "included is. . "



"DGRS... . 4spd Auto Trans A518"



I have a **NOTE** on my sheet that quotes...



"DGS = STD Duty 4spd Auto Trans. "



When I bought the truck the dealer told me it had been ordered with the 'heavier duty' trans because it was to be a "company" work truck.



I don't know if an anacronym for the A518 is '46RH', '47RE', or what. I've always known it as A518 and that is how Bill K. referred to it as well, if I recall correctly.



Does this help at all. ??



Bob.

 

[mblair]

a518 46rh

I have infront of me an ATSG service guide for a500/a518/a618.



the 46rh is another designation for the a518. the 47rh is the a618

.

it shows "a500(40rh,42rh)/a518(46rh)/a618(47RH).



"r" is rear wheel drive, 4 = 4spd (OD) 0,2,6,7 =duty rating, and H=hydraulically controlled E = electronically controlled.

I think in 94 the a518 (46RH) became a618 which is refeerred to as 47RH. It state the a518 (46rh) is a heavy duty, the a618(47RH) is a Super Duty, which I'm guessing was needed to handle the horsepower increases from that time forward. I know the 47RH has a few more clutch plate/discs than a518 (46RH).

M Blair

 

[XGoldman]

Thanks for the info guys.



On the original window sticker it lists the trans as "4 speed HD automatic transmission --$887".



The sticker price was $27,011. 00



BTW the sticker also list this truck as having "electronic fuel injection and ignition" (sure hope that the ignition system doesn't go out and leave me stranded )

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

XGoldman, don't forget to do your regular maintainence on the plugs, points and condenser too. .





Bob.

 

[hdm48]

Dude, I have a dwell/tach I will sell you cheap.