Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Sun Coast converter?

[Grinder1]

Well I finally got the 47RH rebuilt along with the TransGo shift kit and MagTech pan being installed. The $500 converter the shop recommended is not quite what I wanted (too loose), and yes they are going to take it back on their dime, including doing the R&R for a replacement. I originally asked for the $1000 Sun Coast single disc but the shop owner thought it might be overkill for my rig. Need input from anyone who's "been there, done that", regarding upgrading to a lower stall converter on a '95 vintage truck. Thanks

 

[DavidGardner]

Grinder
I had DTT (Bill Kondolay rebuild and beef up my 47RH) back in 2000. He used his own built up converter that is 93% efficient what ever that means. I have over 200,000 miles on it now with absoloutly no issues. Dont know if they are still in bussiness or not. Hope suncoast builds what you need.

 

[cerberusiam]

All I can say is it helps, a LOT. How much efficiency that is put into the converter will affect the stall and the turbo spool. You end walking a fine line between what is too much and what is too little. Err on the loose side or it will be a dog off the line.

 

[Grinder1]

Yeah I definitely understand about erring towards the looser converter, especially with the 3:54 gears. I'm at 230 hp now with only the TST plate as a hp upgrade. I may at some future time turn it up to around 300 hp. I believe the single disc Sun Coast is 89% efficient with a 400 rpm less than OEM stall speed. You think that converter will do the trick?

The shop installed a 200 rpm lower stall (supposedly) and it feels pretty much stock to me. It might be just a tad tighter, but since they had the truck for 5 weeks it was hard to remember exactly how the old OEM felt under pedal. Sure wish it was easier to test different converters!

 

[Grinder1]

Grinder
I had DTT (Bill Kondolay rebuild and beef up my 47RH) back in 2000. He used his own built up converter that is 93% efficient what ever that means. I have over 200,000 miles on it now with absoloutly no issues. Dont know if they are still in bussiness or not. Hope suncoast builds what you need.

Thanks David, sounds like you got your rig dialed in nicely many years ago. When you shift from 3rd to 4th does your converter unlock, then lock after trans has gone to 4th? That is much more noticeable with the loose OEM converter, and darn annoying. I'm curious to know if you remember how your truck drove before and after that DTT converter was installed.

 

[cerberusiam]

Yeah, much tighter than an 89% is gonna require some gears and\or tuning if they did it right. A lot depends on how they arrived at that number.

 

[DavidGardner]

All I remember is when Bill Kondolay finished we went for a ride with him, Piers and myself and the only way to tell when the converter locked up in od was to watch the tachometer and you could see a 200 rpm drop. Two hundred thousand miles later my torque converter is so eficient that I still have to watch the tach to see it lock up. When it was stock you could feel it lock up in od, very firm lock up. Not being a transmission expert thats all I can tell you. Hope it helps. Oh and when it locks up there is no slippage at all. It acts like a manual trans would in fourth gear od.

 

[SDalgleish]

TCS in Canada builds that converter And they are still available today in single and multidisc versions. I have one in my '98 and it is flawless.
http://www.tcsproducts.com/contacts/

Scott

 

[JMcCoy]

I would go with any of the name brand 3 disk converters mentioned above. Just make sure the converter has a billet case. stamped steel will warp. I have no personal experience with Suncoast, but they have a great reputation. I have an ATS 5 disk and it is a little tight. It is probably overkill for my hp and what I do. Though it is a little on the tight side, I am happy with it. It got much better when I went to 4.10 gears. Injectors next should further help.

 

[Cosmo]

I put a suncoast converter (and clutches, valve body, tcm, and flexplate) in my 68rfe and couldn't have been happier with it.