Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Suncoast transmission installed.

[BTowler]

I recently had a Suncoast transmission installed and had some questions about the way it shifts. The shifts for 1-2,2-3,3-4 are all very firm, and the OD and lockup are downright hard, so much so that when they hit one right after the other the whole truck will jump. I have had people tell me they can see the truck lurch when the shift occurs and once it was so hard it bounced stuff on the dash. According to Suncoast this is normal, anybody out there with Suncoast trannies have any comment on this? I have ridden in a lot of vehicles with high performance trannies, including diesel trucks and never had one shift that hard.

 

[SnoKing]

I hope you got billet shafts. SNOKING

 

[BTowler]

Laminated flexplate and billet input shaft.

 

[Allnew2Me]

My Suncoast trans is only about 3 months old and I had a similar problem as follows. I have a 47RE but I bought the 48RE VB that they sell just to try it. It has better pressure curves and it is new, not rebuilt. the first one I got was almost perfect but it wouldn't manually downshift into second unless I was under 30 MPH. I called them and they sent me a new one to replace it, which I installed. Again almost perfect, second downshift problem solved but the 3-4 shift would almost take my head off, very harsh. I called again and talked to Ernie, the guy that builds the VBs and he told me that they were trying to figure out why the OD shift was so hard with these VBs. So I sent the original VB back and he just fixed the downshift problem which they knew about after selling a few of the new 48re VBs. What was happening is that the trans was going into TC lockup in third and then shifting into OD locked. I could feel each shift and the lockup. Now it is perfect, all shifts firm and as they should be.

Call Ernie and tell him the problem, they are nice guys and I had no problem dealing with them.

 

[BWagnaar]

I can vouch for that

 

[DCreed]

my trans shifted that way ,it was followed by a bang and lots of crunching. its now being replaced AGAIN. did u get a strip vb or towing vb?

 

[BTowler]

DCreed, Suncoast builds each transmission based on the information you provide, mods, intended mods, usage, etc. I told them I don't race, I tow occassionaly, but up to 12k lbs when I do, I would hope it is set up for that.

 

[Popiol]

Same problem installed TranSynd Synthetic trany fluid problem gone.

 

[DZ]

If your VB is tuned for more hp than you are running, the shifts will be too harsh and slam into gear. Driveline wear and damage is likely. If it is tuned for too low for the hp, soft slipping shifts will result.



If you have a programmer with transmission mods, that could be the problem. None are necessary with the Suncoast.