On transmissions..............

[Got HO?]

Well, having read the thread/policy on transmission discussions, I have no intention of starting any flame war between aftermarket performance shops. :-{} Just a few questions & need feedback. PM me if you want to. With my TST & Banks exhaust installed, its become quite obvious that a pusher pump & upgraded transmission is on the cards for my truck. Trans is holding up fine so far, BUT, is just wasn't designed for the kind of torque & TST makes. That said, what I want is an upgraded transmission that I can simply install in my shop on an exchange basis (can't afford the downtime of removing mine, sending it off for repair etc etc) & will live with the TST. Have looked in the TDR magazine at a few of the Performance ads & would like some real life feedback from y'all. Again, PM me if you want to, unless you guys think we can keep it civil on this thread.



Thanks

 

[rrausch]

I know of guys who have done that. Mechanically doing the installation doesn't seem to be a big problem. A hydraulic spreader helps to get the crossmember out, but guys have also used a big rubber mallet to whack it out and back in with. However some guys have experienced problems with getting the electricals right after the install. And the electricals mean all the difference between a smooth running and smooth shifting trans, and something that drives you nuts!



My experience is with ATS, which has sold a lot of Performance Transmissions and certainly sold more than a few to guys who have done it themselves. They make, I believe, the best Performance trans available today. I think the ATS is more thoroughly engineered than any other. But if I were going to do it myself, and if I didn't have a buddy who regularly installed transmissions, I'd take it to a shop afterwards to have the electricals checked. The good thing about ATS is that they will work with you, and they have hundreds of affiliate shops around the country.



But I would also call all the Performance Trans builders, and go with whoever I was the most comfortable with.

 

[Stefan Kondolay]

On the trucks equipped with the TST boxes it is crucial that you due the job properly, because if you don't that TST box will make you pay. By proper I mean doing the right parts in the trans.



We/DTT did 3 trucks(with 03-04 trucks that run TST boxes) that are normally on the site that I can think of off the top of my head, I'm sure you could ask about there trans and they could tell how there's is holding. They post as Floor It, BCarmichael, and IdahoCTD. I know that they all did transmission with Billet Input, Intermediate, and output Shafts, actually BCarmichael is putting his output in now. They all also have the Billet 3rd gear Drums in them as well.



I think most shops offer exchange transmission, I know DTT does, just make sure that you have a pressure gauge so that you can get the set-up perfect, then you have the peace of mind of knowing that you have a perfect set-up at the completion of the install. On these transmission's pressure are crucial, the trans is only half the equation, a proper install is the other half.

 

[DGFoster]

Originally posted by Stefan Kondolay

On the trucks equipped with the TST boxes it is crucial that you due the job properly, because if you don't that TST box will make you pay. By proper I mean doing the right parts in the trans.



We/DTT did 3 trucks(with 03-04 trucks that run TST boxes) that are normally on the site that I can think of off the top of my head, I'm sure you could ask about there trans and they could tell how there's is holding. They post as Floor It, BCarmichael, and IdahoCTD. I know that they all did transmission with Billet Input, Intermediate, and output Shafts, actually BCarmichael is putting his output in now. They all also have the Billet 3rd gear Drums in them as well.



I think most shops offer exchange transmission, I know DTT does, just make sure that you have a pressure gauge so that you can get the set-up perfect, then you have the peace of mind of knowing that you have a perfect set-up at the completion of the install. On these transmission's pressure are crucial, the trans is only half the equation, a proper install is the other half.

Stefan,



So it wont be as simple as doing the 47RE,when I had mine done in my 2000,I had DTT 91% TC and valve body,and had a trans shop that DTT recommended here in michigan do the install and all was fine,worked great.

But the 48RE has to be done differently?

Can I just do it the same way this time?

or is there more that has to be done with the 48RE??





Thanks

 

[TCDiesel]

It will depend on how far you go on the upgrade, Stefan is right if you go over 400 hp and 800 ft lbs torque you will need more than a VB/TC with a commander. Any thing beyond these numbers and you will need a complete upgrade from overdrive unit to TC. Keep in mind the numbers here are max not minimums. TST easily makes numbers above this. I would not recommend a self install unless you had a shop hoist and equipment.

 

[DGFoster]

I just want the power I had in my 2000,it had DD1s and a Van Aakens box,on the new one I was just planning on the Edge EZ and maybe an air filter mod/Exhaust.

 

[ThomasLawrence]

That said, what I want is an upgraded transmission that I can simply install in my shop on an exchange basis

Sure - you can do this with either transmission (DTT or ATS). Both companies will ship you a complete unit, ready to bolt in, and you ship them back your old unit when you're finished. This is exactly what I did a couple of months ago:



http://home.earthlink.net/~tlawrence5/trans/trans1.html



I spread the work out a few hours at a time over three days, since I was working alone and wasn't in that big of a hurry. If you have a helper, you could easily complete the job in a weekend - probably even the same day.



Even with a complete trans swap, you should still hook up a pressure gauge just to make sure the pressures are where they're supposed to be. ATS dyno-tests their trannys before shipping them out, so in my case, the pressure check was just a simple, "Yup - that's right where it's supposed to be". If you do a VB swap on your existing transmission, then it's an absolute requirement to check the various pressures so you can get it dialed in properly.



-Tom