Torque Converter suggestions

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

What would be a good TC for a ~350hp 12-Valve 2-wheel drive that won't ruin driving manners in the snow (you know, trying to spin the back tires before letting off the brake at a light)? And be able to spool a HX40-based turbo at 8-10,000 feet with a 10K trailer hooked on? I don't know if such a thing exists but it would be nice to be as loose as stock below 1000 RPM then increase efficiency from there (what about the ATS Viskus?). I definitely don't want one of those that really takes the engine down and wants to take off as soon as you shift to Drive.

Secondly what would you suggest for a valve body upgrade . . . what does this do for me? Any way to make the trans not upshift so fast at lighter throttle (how about 3000 RPM WOT shifts? hehehe)

I did some reading/searches before posting but seems most of the time the transmission upgrade talk centers around big HP, not puny-power trucks like mine

Thanks everyone . . .

 

[Fishin Guide]

Vaughn,



most of the trans guys can get or build you a converter. It is possible to get what you want just by getting a unit that is just slightly tighter. If you ever add HP (TQ) you will increase it's stall as well, but all things being equal, a looser aftermarket converter may fit the bill for you.



My dad wants the same thing. He's going to go about the 350HP mark and that will be it. So, he needs that fast spool from the looser converter. I am going to DTT of course, but I am sure you can find a vendor that will work with you.



Dave

 

[BDaugherty]

Better call an expert.

Sun Coast Converters Diesel Transmissions, Fort Walton Beach FL

I've used Suncoast for parts and tech help in the past and I've found them to be very good.

 

[Grumpy John 4x4]

Suncoast trans

Suncoast trans converter and flex plate full billet

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Ok thanks guys. I've had good discussions with DTT, Goerend and Source Automotive, will talk to Suncoast, ATS & Dunrite too. Looks like Suncoast has a nice electronic valve body but don't know how high-tech it is compared to everyone else's. I'm planning to buy a valve body from whatever vendor I get the TC from so they will be set up to compliment each other.

 

[drag racer]

ATI - Diesel Torque Converters for GM, Allison, Dodge and Ford

 

[BILLVO]

I have been really happy with my BD VB and TC. I have abused it as much as can be and the TC is rated for 450 hp and I have over 100 more than that and it has never even started to let me down yet.

 

[gitchesum]

Source Automotive and Dunrite are the same company now.



That being said, I've beat the heck out of my Dunrite single disk convertor without a single problem in the 500+ HP range and many passes down the 1/4 track.

 

[PRohr]

I absolutly love my Goerend converter and recommend them to everyone. The lifetime warranty is just icing on the cake.

 

[Erik@LCD]

Vaughn, if you talk to Dave at Goerend, he will set you up with what you need. Their customer service and willingness to answer and return calls at crazy hours coupled with their attitude to stand behind everything they sell is just too hard to beat. That's why we pretty much use them for everything we build and sell to customers. Not to say that there aren't other solid products out there, but I haven't run in to anything that is necessarily better, and I have never had better service.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

BILLVO did you add the VB and TC to a stock transmission? After talking to Dave at Goerend and Rip at Source I've pretty much decided it would be better to just to get the full trans job. I'm close to rolling 190,000 miles on a totally virgin transmission (which has seen its share of heavy towing). Both Dave and Rip will steer you straight but since I'm only 3 hours from Source Automotive I've pretty much made up my mind to go there. I'm going for a single disk but still on the fence about splurging for the billet input shaft. I'll probably scrape up the extra $$ to get so I can do it once & do it right. Thanks everyone for your suggestions, I'm planning to get this done in about a month.

 

[ctdodgeram]

Hi Vaughn,



Mark from Connecticut who bought your 2003.



How's the house going for you?



I see you have 2 trucks now? Like those 12 valves, don't you?



I too had "monthly payment" issues, so the truck is gone. I do miss the 6 speed, I must say. Being a short bed, my 40' 5th wheel liked to sway the back end. Kind of scary on rough interstate roads at 60.



Be well.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Hey Mark, the guy who bought my (your) '03 is Maverick and he emailed me some pictures recently (I posted them on page 4 of this thread My 2003 Ram is - BOMBER Board )
Truck is doing great and has 122,000 miles except the center carrier bearing and U-joints are going out. Must've been that 40-foot 5th wheel He's hauled pretty heavy with it himself though.

I bought the '96 about a month before you picked the '03 up, and then I bought the '98 3 years ago today. I was going to sell the '96 but decided to keep it. Having two trucks has come in handy many times.

I was going through some pics and stumbled upon this one

 

[ctdodgeram]

Wow, I was was (looked) much younger then in the Tri-cities area!

Now that I see the truck again, I do miss the 2wd 6 speed combo. That was a great trip across country. It was a memory with my son I will never forget.

All the best!

 

[BILLVO]

BILLVO did you add the VB and TC to a stock transmission? .

Yep still the virgin transmission at 106k miles of pure abuse. Had to replace the output shaft with a billet after I broke mine drag racing. Other than that it is still a virgin transmission and still going strong.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Thanks BILLVO. . . I know the 48RE is a stronger trans to begin with but I'd say you're doing pretty well. Now you have me reconsidering as with my limited funds it would take awhile to pay off a full trans job. I'd rather just buy parts and have a friend who knows what they're doing help me install them. That would get me by for awhile, maybe indefinitely. I'd have to make sure it gets done right without hurting anything though, and I've never been in an auto trans. . . they're kind of a black box to me.

Mark S. I love road trips, you might recall I was going to stop by when taking our mega road trip Fall of '04 to pick up the fog lights . . . we were running behind schedule and trying to make New York that night but got caught in a good traffic jam in Providence RI.

Vaughn