Questions about Goerend transmission, the Banks and Edge systems

[JEstes]

Guys, I'm pretty new here, but I have been lurking for a while and reading all I can. First off, this site is awesome! I've learned alot, but I've still got a long way to go. Let me tell you my plans, so hopefully I can get some good advice.



I've got an '03 2500 4-door, short bed, 48RE, 4X4. Other than the fuel tank vent, it's bone stock. I do a fair amount of towing, but most of that will be kept below 10,000 pounds. There's some mountain towing in there though. I'd also like to get some more power for street use. I'm usually pretty easy on my vehicles, but I do like to put my foot in it every now and then, especially if there's a little rice burner with a Folgers muffler and TONS of vinyl. .



1. I've been looking towards a Goerend transmission. What's everyone's opinion on these? I'd like something that can take the added power and still be reliable, since this is my only vehicle.



2. I'd also like to know some of the pros/cons with the Banks 6-gun/PDA and the Edge Juice with Attitude. I know alot of guys like the Smarty system, but I like the on-the-fly adjustability and the guages the Banks/Edge provides. I just can't find a whole lot of info on how adjustable the two are.





Regardless of what I do, I need to keep this thing reliable. I'm too in love with this truck to go tearing it up... .





Thanks in advance!

 

[RDyson]

First off a Goerend transmission is the way to go. I just put one in my 03 SO. I can actually feel it shift now. Dave is great to work with, and the warranty is top notch. You can call Dave and ask him the questions you have and he will set you up with what you need. He doesn't try to over sell his trannys. He will tell you what he thinks and then you can go from there. Also, he has the best deal for the money.



As for the Banks, you won't get a lot of recommendations for it. It is a well designed system. It is just way overpriced. You can get as good or better systems for less money. The J/A is popular with all it's extra functions. Most are happy with it.



You just need to know what you are expecting out of your truck. And what kind of power level you want. If you are going to want bigger HP someday, the TST is also adjustable on the fly and is the mac daddy of boxes for high HP. You just have to have some self control because it will break parts if you turn it up too high. You also have to have other mods to really use it.



You will get a lot of advise. Good luck!



Randy

 

[KennethS]

The transmission is the first thing you better do

All transmission are set up for so much horse power and when you increase it the transmission will sure go and does. It does not make any difference if it a Ford ,Chevy or Dodge. If you don't beleave me ask Dave Goerend. He works on all the transmission and they all will only stand so much power stock.

 

[DPelzl]

call Dave and unless you like spending alot of money stay way from Banks. Good products but not much bang for the buck.

 

[osiris]

well i have the power PDA and while its not the biggest hp increase out there i feel it does pretty well... also if you go with just the PDA and not the entire system its pretty reasonably priced with everything else.

 

[JEstes]

Thanks for the help guys! Out of curiosity, how much HP will the stock transmission take before it begins to die?

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

My transmission wouldn't slip when I had my Powerpup on the 90hp setting but would on the extreme setting. I think the general consensus is around 100 hp, but that's pushing it. I put in my GB torque convertor and valve body when the truck only had 20000 miles on it, and it's held everything I've thrown at it, so far. I also tow with this truck, occasionally.

 

[TCDiesel]

The PowerPDA has Programing that allows the Driver or owner to tune fueling in each gear and shift, it has more features than band-with will allow.

 

[Sled Dog]

If there's a chance that you'll want service before and AFTER the sale.

Better check with a Dave Goerand VB TC etc, and

Bob Wagner/Marco SMARTY.

You'll never regret it, Oo.

 

[Diesel Dummie]

Well mine is not an 03 but i do have the dge juice and i love it, you get 5 levels of adjustment plus 5 more sub-levels in each level, also get a ton of gauge paeameters built in to monitor everything. Its all adjustable on the fly, i would recommend it to anyone looking for towing power and wanting a seat of the pants ride now and then!

 

[Cory]

I have ATS Compounds, Smarty, and I hounded the stock transmission everyday for 20,000 miles and it held it until I lifted the truck, then I broke the input shaft. Have a FULL BILLET transmission on the way from Dave Goerend!

 

[Diesel Nut]

Personally, with all the trouble Banks has been making for its distributer network, I have a hard time selling anything of theirs. They are expensive, hard to get ahold of, impossible to get tech support out of, and really not worth the money. Their Intercooler kits are nice, but are getting close to the same price as the BD and the Spearco units, which are much easier to get.



I think you will be much better off with the Juice and attitude combo or the new TST R49.



Typically I say anything over 100hp over stock and all bets are off. You can make it longer, but it will depend on how you abuse it.

 

[JHoppis]

For a performance module I would go with the Edge Juice With Attitude. You will get all of your gauges and still have you saftey features that the Banks has and still get a really good price. The Banks W/PDA is way over priced for what you get. We have been using the AFE stage 2 kit, MBRP system , and Juice with Attitude and the transmissions on them have been holding up great.

 

[JEstes]

Thanks guys! As it turns out, a friend of mine is an Edge dealer, so your suggestions and his affiliations pretty much sealed the deal!

 

[ohnoitsyu]

Personally, with all the trouble Banks has been making for its distributer network, I have a hard time selling anything of theirs. They are expensive, hard to get ahold of, impossible to get tech support out of, and really not worth the money.

I gave up with Banks trying to get information before buying their products. I like my J/A, and I look forward to getting the Goerend upgrades.

 

[Gibbs]

Its been awhile since I've been on here. I love my Big Hoss Bundle. You really need to look at what the Banks is designed for, which is constant usable power. I tow heavy loads sometimes (10k to 12K lbs) and I can tow with the Banks turned up all the way if need be. Of course, I want usable everyday power, not a dyno queen. How many of you have actually tried to call Banks and how many are just repeating what you "heard?" I talked to tech dept. twice today, and once last week, simply picking their brains on how their stuff works, and the longest hold time was 2 min. I can't blame anybody for having a lot of "stupid power," and I'm not bashing anybody's setup. Just saying look at what the product is actually designed for. {End of hijack}

 

[johncameron]

I can't blame anybody for having a lot of "stupid power," and I'm not bashing anybody's setup. Just saying look at what the product is actually designed for. {End of hijack}

I've got quite a bit of "stupid power" and banks is in my setup It has never caused a problem or acted funny in the 4 years I've had it. How many comp boxes have been replaced :-{} under warrenty? That seems to be OK. It's a good thing Edge has a good warrenty or half the owners wouldn't have theirs any more.



Different strokes for different folks I guess, I'm not trying to start a fight here but this is what I've noticed for quite a while.

 

[WBarker]

I have a friend running the goerend transmission and its done really well so far and hes been sled pulling and drag racing it for over a year now. I would go with the J/A because of the features and I think you'll like the seat of the pants fill

 

[KWold]

I have an Edge Juice and I am leaning toward selling it for a Smarty. Banks seems good, but I think my money will go further with other products. Also, I don't need the little banks logo on my truck.



It seems right now the smarty is the best thing going. don't believe me? Well just do a search on "smarty" on this and other Dodge centric diesel forums. Noitce how Bob Wagner actually responds to his customers in forums. I kinda doubt you get the service with Banks.



But to each his own.

 

[TCDiesel]

Kwold, T&C has answer every Question brought to our attention on this forum for over Three years. again we are available 24/7 to try and help/answer all BANKS questions.