Sonnax Sure Cure kit + upgraded solenoid/pressure sensor for 48RE?

[Freebore]

I recently located and bought a used 07 Ram 2500 with a 5. 9 and 48RE trans and starting to change all the fluids. I'm at 54k miles since buying it with 52k miles and it has not seen any heavy towing, but the transmission needs the fluid/filter changed. I've noticed a few quirks in how my truck shifts now - doesn't upshift all the time under light throttle until I back off slightly or it may not want to downshift unless I get agressive with the pedal. Also noticing a little difficulty getting the parking P to light up when shifting to park (parking pawl appears to engage but may have some adjustment to do with the linkage/cable).

I've reviewed several posts about the updated governor solenoid and pressure transducer and plan to upgrade those as well as adjust the bands when the pan is off. It appears the big question I have here comes down to this - what is the latest regarding the solenoid - is there really a big difference in the newer Borg Warner 50185 vs the GM upgrade which includes the machined block?

I've used used Transgo kits in past transmissions from Ford, GM and Mopar to improve some of the shortcomings and always had good results. Looking at other improvements available for the 48RE, I saw that Sonnax has a Sure Cure kit #SC-46/47RHE which appears to address some of weaknesses of the 48RE - I'm primarily interested in improved lube and cooling and preventing premature failure. There also appears to be other fixes that Sonnax has such as improved servos, accumulator piston improvements, etc.

At a minimum, I'm planning to do the oil (complete flush), filter, solenoid and sensor, band adjustments and drain plug for the pan (focusing on what I can improve but no plans to remove transmission). Has anyone used the Sonnax Sure Cure kit or any of their improvements? Thanks.

 

[cerberusiam]

I have used some of them, the manual valve and TV repair kit, but not the rest. Haven't really needed them.

Most of the pieces in that kit are for worn or out of spec pieces in the VB. You have some pretty specific problems that they are intended to cure, sloopy forward and reverse engagement, sloppy lockup, buzz in the transmission. Some of them do not apply to the 48RE as those have been addressed and fixed.

If all you are having problems with is the slight shifting issues you noted its doubtful the kit will address it. Won't hurt but probably won't help.

Park not lighting all the time is probably a shift cable adjustment. The adjuster is under the steering column behind the knee bolster. Its just a clip that hols the houisng in a bracket. Easy to adjust and get alignment again.

I think there is a significant difference in the OE style upgraded solenoid and the GM style, especially if you are doing a shift kit. The OE style part has not proven to be that much better for the cost. The GM style just about never fails. Any problem I have heard of with it have been traced to install issues or other trans problems.

Basically, if you do a shift kit you should do billet front servo, billet accumulator, billet band strut and anchor. Sealing rings on the direct drum support and the billet rear servo are other things that need addressed at some point but not as critical as the others. They require trans disassembly also where the previous pieces only require dropping the pan and the VB.

If you like and are familiar with the TransGo kits then by all means use it. Mine works great but if I had it to do again I would use the Superior shift kit. Easier and less intrusive to install and from all accounts as good of results as the TransGo.

To improve lube and cooling internally will require trans disassembly. About the best thing you can do without tear down is a shift kit, manual valve, and get rid of the check ball in the cooler line.

 

[Freebore]

I have used some of them, the manual valve and TV repair kit, but not the rest. Haven't really needed them.



Most of the pieces in that kit are for worn or out of spec pieces in the VB. You have some pretty specific problems that they are intended to cure, sloopy forward and reverse engagement, sloppy lockup, buzz in the transmission. Some of them do not apply to the 48RE as those have been addressed and fixed.



If all you are having problems with is the slight shifting issues you noted its doubtful the kit will address it. Won't hurt but probably won't help.



Park not lighting all the time is probably a shift cable adjustment. The adjuster is under the steering column behind the knee bolster. Its just a clip that hols the houisng in a bracket. Easy to adjust and get alignment again.



I think there is a significant difference in the OE style upgraded solenoid and the GM style, especially if you are doing a shift kit. The OE style part has not proven to be that much better for the cost. The GM style just about never fails. Any problem I have heard of with it have been traced to install issues or other trans problems.



Basically, if you do a shift kit you should do billet front servo, billet accumulator, billet band strut and anchor. Sealing rings on the direct drum support and the billet rear servo are other things that need addressed at some point but not as critical as the others. They require trans disassembly also where the previous pieces only require dropping the pan and the VB.



If you like and are familiar with the TransGo kits then by all means use it. Mine works great but if I had it to do again I would use the Superior shift kit. Easier and less intrusive to install and from all accounts as good of results as the TransGo.



To improve lube and cooling internally will require trans disassembly. About the best thing you can do without tear down is a shift kit, manual valve, and get rid of the check ball in the cooler line.

Thanks for the response Cerberusiam,



You answered my question on the Sonnax kit - looks like a good kit but am focused on tying up loose ends while mileage is low and transmission is still working reasonably well.



I'm not partial to TransGo and am open to other kits if there are advantages, but nothing that requires more than pulling the pan and possibly the VB.



I understand the cooler check valve plugs so removing it makes sense, and the billet improvements with a shift kit make sense.



You mention the GM style solenoid in place of the BW upgrade - is GM unit made by more than one supplier? If so, are there differences?

 

[cerberusiam]

For all intents and purposes, every shift that raises pressures requires more than just dropping the VB. The problem is the reaction rings that route fluid to the forward and direct clutch packs have a tendency to lock out and cause wear issues. The steel OE ones get replaced with teflon ones that don't lock under higher pressures. It is one of the mods that needs done at some point, like better seals, but can be run for a time without issue. Once you raise pressures the stock seals and sealing rings become problematic. iIs just a fact of building these units like needing better seals and better material on the accumulator and front servo.

The GM style solenoid is named such as it is used in the GM transmisisons. It is mabe by BW also, but, is larger, heavier duty, and less susceptible to sticking and pressure variances from shift kits. Easily sourced if it ever has problems, it also has some adjustment that can be used to fine tune if desired. AFAIK, the actual governor plate that holds the transducer and solenoid is made by one company. Just about all the suppliers carry the same item. It is simply a new machining that will allow the use of the larger solenoid. Internally it does have some larger ports and changes that are supposed to help keep the solenoid and transdcuer functioning longer and better.