Sun Coast (Pro-Loc) Torque Converter

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I am looking for any information that anyone may have pertaining to the Sun Coast (Pro-Loc) CH-2313-SD1 torque converter in their Ram as I am considering this brand of TC (and Trans-Go TFOD-DIESEL shift kit) for my Ram. The Pro-Loc TC looks like an extremely high quality, bulletproof unit. How well does it work? Any regrets? Plan B at this point is the BD TC with their modified valve body. Thank you in advance, John

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'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4, (black) SLT Sport, ISB, LWB, 3. 54 LSD, auto. , 275 hp. injectors, Glasstite Vision II "canopy", 285 BFG A/Ts on 16x8 M/T Challengers, Warn 4X Boards, Mopar fender flares, front and rear NW Custom stainless steel/rubber mud flaps, Mag-Hytec diff. cover and trans. pan, Edelbrock IAS shocks, VDO Vision gauges, BD exhaust brake and TorqLoc.

 

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John,

A friend of mine has just installed the Sun Coast ProTorque Converter in his truck with a BD Valve Body. This is his 4th converter and 1st ProTorque. The converter is very "tight"(not near as much slip as my stock unit) and really shifts firm. When the converter locks in overdrive, you know it!! He hasn't had this setup very long so I don't know how it will hold up.

He tows a large 5th wheel that he and his wife live in full time. The trailer weighs over 13,000 lbs. Also he has a TST 280HP torque plate in his pump. (Probably could be a factor why he is on his 4th torque converter)

If my stock unit fails, that's what I'm going to do to mine.

Bill

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97,3500,CC,4x2, Auto, 4. 10, All Options incl Leather, PacBrake, 3 Pos Lockup Switch, PrimeLoc,80% Towing 12,000+LB 5th Wheel, Mag-Hytec Covers on the way!!

 

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Thanks for the info. Bill. You stated your friend has the Sun Coast Pro-Torque TC. Sun Coast produces the Pro-Loc TC. The Pro-Torque TC is manufactured by Pro-Torque. Just to make sure I understand you correctly; I'm assuming that your friend has the Sun Coast Pro-Loc TC, not the Pro-Torque (brand) TC. Correct? I don't know whether I have confused you, but I have successfully confused myself. heh,heh,heh

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'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4, (black) SLT Sport, ISB, LWB, 3. 54 LSD, auto. , 275 hp. injectors, Glasstite Vision II "canopy", 285 BFG A/Ts on 16x8 M/T Challengers, Warn 4X Boards, Mopar fender flares, front and rear NW Custom stainless steel/rubber mud flaps, Mag-Hytec diff. cover and trans. pan, Edelbrock IAS shocks, VDO Vision gauges, BD exhaust brake and TorqLoc.

 

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John,

I don't know if you participated in Rob's other forum, but we had several discussions about torque converters and the TFOD-Diesel kit. Craig Scholl (who has since fallen off the face of the earth) provided some very credible technical info that indicated the quality of aftermarket torque converters was often based on the material of their innards.
While it would seem to be otherwise, Craig indicated that Kevlar was NOT a good material and would not tolerate diesel torque for an extended period. He seemed to like ceramic materials better. Unfortunately, many of the aftermarket brands use Kevlar. I believe Craig's converters were built by TCS and in some cases (if not all) are the same as the converters sold by TST. I bought a converter from Craig that was shipped directly from TCS and have tried everything I can to destroy it (uh, I mean test it!). After 8k miles it seems to be up to the task.

As for the TFOD-Diesel kit. The kit was supposedly only available to certain TransGo jobbers and generally not for sale to backyard mechanics. I don't know if that's changed now, but the kit does require transmission removal. I was originally going to install both the regular TransGo kit AND the diesel kit, but TransGo said that was unnecessary and recommended just the diesel kit for the Cummins application.

So far, I've been happy with both the converter and the TFOD-Diesel kit. I have decent acceleration when pulling an 8000# trailer and there's no slipping whatsoever when the converter is locked up.

Bottom line is, find out what materials are used in your aftermarket converter and see what experience others have had with it. There were several folks on the previous board who reported serious slippage with kevlar... ...

Mike B.



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'98 RAM 2500 4x4 CC LWB Auto 12v 4. 10s Intense Blue, Sport, TST Power Kit, TCS Converter, TransGo
Diesel Shift Kit, M/T 16x8 Classics, BFG AT LT295/75R16, PIAA 90 Pro, ISSPRO Boost,Pyro,Trans Temp
'98 Texas Bragg 20' 12,000# GVW Tandem Axle Utility Trailer
'97 Jeep Wrangler Sahara

 

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Mike, I was on Rob's board (CDW) from day 1 (January 14th, 1999), posting by my first name only, John. The Sun Coast Pro-Loc TC does not use Kevlar or a ceramic compound for the TCC face. They don't state the material composition used in their TCC. I will have to give them a call in the morning. I read and copied all of the posts pertaining to the auto. trans. and TCs posted by Craig and others. I remember what Craig said regarding Kevlar as used as a TCC material; I also know that the performance Diesel shop in my area has installed hundreds without slippage problems in relatively stock to "full blown" PowerPacked Rams. The owner of this shop told me he used to install the ceramic faced TCs (I don't know what brand or brands), but switched to The BD TCs (Kevlar) due to constant battles with chattering in the ceramic TCs. Who do I believe? I don't know but, I sure as heck don't want to go through this more than once!

 

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Hey John,

Sorry not to recognize you from the previous board! Sounds like lots of different experiences out there with all the different converter materials. I wonder if any of the materials are really superior. I also remember Craig mentioning the importance of the manufacturing process. Something about the vanes inside looking like they'd been beaten with a hammer... ... ... .

And a warning to my torque converter... ...
I looked at a very nice 2000 Ram 3500 4x4 5-speed (Dark Garnet Red) yesterday. If you slip just once, you'll be trade bait!

Mike B.


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'98 RAM 2500 4x4 CC LWB Auto 12v 4. 10s Intense Blue, Sport, TST Power Kit, TCS Converter, TransGo
Diesel Shift Kit, M/T 16x8 Classics, BFG AT LT295/75R16, PIAA 90 Pro, ISSPRO Boost,Pyro,Trans Temp
'98 Texas Bragg 20' 12,000# GVW Tandem Axle Utility Trailer
'97 Jeep Wrangler Sahara

 

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We have a BD TC. Haven't had any problems with it. Another thing you might want to investigate is the warranty they all offer. I know BD offers a 2 year UNLIMITED MILEAGE warranty. That was a big plus for us for the miles we travel. They are a great company to deal with. Always willing to help the do-it-yourselfer with anything you need. Hubby has even called them with problems with the transmission that are in no way related to their products. And they still helped him figure out what's wrong or out of adjustment or whatever. They are just a great group of people.

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1998 3500 12V. Over 300,000 miles. Too many add-ons to even think about.

 

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John,

Too many "Pro" Lok's & Torq's for this old man!! I was confused. Old age must be settling in!!!

He used the high dollar torque converter from Sun Coast in Florida along with a BD valve body. He had it installed by a transmission shop reccommended by Mark Chappell in Seymour, Indiana, just down the road from Columbus.

I talked to him the other day and everything is fine so far.
Bill

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97,3500,CC,4x2, Auto, 4. 10, All Options incl Leather, PacBrake, 3 Pos Lockup Switch, PrimeLoc,80% Towing 12,000+LB 5th Wheel, Mag-Hytec Covers on the way!!