New trans thread - I don't want to hear about companies!

[bluthndr]

That's right - searching for trans info here is a little maddening...



What I want to know/hear, is - has ANYONE *tried* just a torque convertor from one of the suppliers? Has anyone tried just a shift kit or someone's valve body?



I have heard more than enough "Call Bill K, Goerend, BD, ATS, etc" and ask them. that's NOT what I want to hear. No soliciting, advertising, or cheerleading PLEASE. I'm sure all these companies/people are very knowledgable and give good results, and when the time comes, I will most likely buy some or all of my parts from them.



I have successfully rebuilt and modified 4x4, street, and drag transmissions, and I am not ready to just throw a pile of money at a perfectly (so far) good (operational) trans or intimidated by buring it up a few times to get it the way I want it. I just want to know what people's results are that HAVEN'T just had a whole new trans built - if there are any that is.



For instance - how does the trans work if you've just put in a convertor? Did anyone machine any of the pistons to add clutches? Did anyone change or take out springs from inside the trans or valve body & where??? That type of stuff. For what it's worth, my application is more related to the drag race/mud bog guys - my truck may never tow much of anything...



That being said I realize that everything has to work as a system, and one change affects the other. I don't expect a "silver bullet", or an easy fix for these transmissions. I do know that I see a lot of people saying "Just have XXXXXXX build the whole trans & do it right the first time" - but I have yet to find a thread that discusses anyone who has done anything less than a complete transmission or what their results (good or bad) were. What I'm saying is that everyone says "do it all" but no one (other than the vendors & customers thereof) really seems to KNOW that that is what is required.



Thanks for any help.

 

[csutton7]

blu--when I bought my v/b and t/c I installed the v/b first and drove it for a week with no probs and then installed the t/c, but one week really can't tell you to much----not sure if you can buy just a t/c or not--most co. 's will try to sell you the v/b along with it as it's kind of pkg deal--but you might be able to, you'd have to call around and see--good luck--you can see who I've gone with in my sig---chris

 

[curatchko]

I had Goerend build me 'just' a Triple Disk converter and I am very pleased with the results. I contacted other companies and they wanted to sell me a whole new trans basically... . saying that with 58k miles and the towing that I've done, coupled with the box I have, that my current trans is probably worn out.



WRONG ANSWER. I took my trans out myself, pulled the pump, and the entire assembly apart and all the clutchs were like BRAND NEW. Matter of fact, I could say they had ZERO wear on them. All the part number printing and such was still on the clutchs!!!! No wear at all... no need to touch the transmission.



Further, if you speak with Goerend he'll tell you what year transmissions already have updates done to them...



So for now I'm using the converter alone. If the converter proves to be too much for the trans, Dave Goerend said he'd modify a valve body for me for CHEAP and just send him my old one back when I swap em...



Call him... . very straight forward guy who doesn't try to steal your bank account.

 

[David Muench]

I went to Massdiesel (DTT) and told Scott that I didn't have the money for a whole transmission, and just wanted to start out with something basic that will make the transmission shift better and hold some more power. He set me up with a Valve Body and accumulator piston (too low cost not to do), and I wanted the double deep Mag-Hytec pan as well. I'm very happy, and he had the VB set up so that I am all set to go further in the future.



I'm very happy with it. At no point did Scott try to talk me into anything more than just a VB (other than the piston, which was a no-brainer).

 

[HoleshotHolset]

bluthndr: Keep in mind that there are a lot of little tricks that every transmission vendor knows about to keep these things together way better than OEM.



Getting this information and putting it to use in your transmission could be difficult.



Matt - my 47RH transmission rebuild process begins TONIGHT!!

 

[bluthndr]

Info

I agree the info seems tough to come by, and I am also a firm believer in aftermarket parts & suppliers being able to provide excellent solutions to overcome the weaknesses often overlooked by the manufacturer - I actually work at a dealership full time oddly enough.



Putting the info to use wouldn't be tough once you know some of the "tricks". Not to oversimlify, but once you have done a few, trans work is not rocket science. You just have to be careful and understand how & where the fluid has to go to accomplish what you want - in a nutshell. Leave a check ball out here, take a spring out there...



Anyone know if there are any valve body differences between a 98 and 99? I have access to a 99 valve body to "play" with if I want...



This is a great thread so far... Good (unique) info!

 

[SlyBones]

curatchko,



The good thing was you took your trans apart and checked, even thought you only bought a TC.



What if a guy only buys a TC, just swaps the TC, and then 6 mo later finds this new TC is trashed. As something else was causing the problem. Now he/she is on the phone with the vendor and the vendor is more than likely on the hook for a warranty repair. Even though it really may not have been the vendors product at all.



While the answer you got may be the wrong answer for you, each vendor and each consumer has to determine their own level of acceptable risk. -- when you take your truck to the vendors shop the vendor can tear it down and recommend the proper parts as necessary. The customer gets the correct stuff, and the vendors can control problems, IE potential warranty problems. When a person says ship it to me, I am doing it myself, how does a vendor determine what the customer really needs and whether they are just setting themself up for potential warranty problems. How does the consumer know if 6 mo later they are gonna be having more problems. -- In your case you know as you did the right thing and checked it all.





bluthndr,



Since you have done trannys before, to me the things I mention are the kinda of decisions you need to ask yourself. Regarless of what vendor you choose. Can you afford to tear it down and see what you really need and then order parts. What if you only order a TC and then find it really needs other stuff. Can you afford the delay as the extra parts now need shipped.



I would also look at where you are going with power. Not trying to be vendor specific here, but if you stock now and so you only order a stage 1 transmission, then a year later you are a 600HP will your stage 1 transmission hold up?

 

[San Felipe Bob]

I had the Dealer replace the trans at 100k (under warranty. )

They put in a Factory rebuild. :{

I then drove the truck home and dropped the trans to put in a TST shift and seal kit. (the dealer refused to install --I even offered a 100. 00 bribe)

Wow! what an improvement!

I too have built a few transmission's. C4 ,C6, Turbo 350, Power Slide,and a couple of 904's. and almost a rebuild putting in the TST kit. So the TST kit was easy yet time consuming.

I too intend to build my transmission again now that I have 170 k.

I have upped the power and now the TC can't hold and just shudder's when I pour on the coals.



The TST kit worked great for close to stock power.

Much better shifts!

Much better lock up!

Worth the 50. 00 bucks! (for a stock motor)



I'm now getting ready to lay down the dead presidents for the new super trans just as soon as I figure out which one I want.



sfb

 

[flattracker]

trans

Call TCS they build DTT's torque convertors and they won't sell you the exact same convertor but one that is very close only with a milled stator for half the money . turn your valve body pressure up to 70 lbs. on top of your valve body you will find a small platewith a hole in it remove the plate and drill the hole out to . 125 this will lock your torgue convertor up quicker and stronger. call DTT and get one of their billet accumulator pistons throw your spring away and it will strengthen your 1-2 shift 30%.

when you talk to tcs also get one of their second gear band struts

it is the same one DTT sells will cost you $14. 00 . Assuming the rest of your transmission is in good shape at the end of the day you will be out 500. 00 and a days labor and have a transmission that will hold 300 hp shifts great and didn't cost a months wages.

 

[fortunate1]

From flattracker: "Call TCS... "

Did a search; couldn't find them. Who are they? Where are they? How long have they been there?

 

[flattracker]

DO a web search for TCS PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS they are located in LANGLEY B. C. They are the ones that actually build DTT"S torque convertors, billet hubs and shafts, pistons and servos.

 

[Bob Wagner]

Flattracker, what transmission are you running now? Are you going to do a faux dtt transmission?



I noticed in your profile it says "DTT TC and VB" COMING SOON



Thanks

 

[flattracker]

Have the DTT products in my truck have the homebrew in my daughters truck . I hope I didn't give the wrong impression I am extremely happy with my DTT products it is just some of us like the do it yourself route or like my daughter have a load to pull and can't afford 3000. 00 worth of transmission mods. I have the utmost respect for Bill and his family they have put a ton of work into making our transmissions reliable but as I learned when I was in the service business, a good idea is just your idea till someone else see's it, then it is OUR idea.