Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Trans, And other Modification suggestions.

[Stangpwr71]

Okay guys try not to get too mad at me. I am a NEWBY and I couldn't really find what I wanted searching.



Okay I just got my truck about three weeks ago it is in my signature.

I plan on adding a 4-5" turbo back exhuast, A BHAF and custom block-off for it, and likely a superchips or Hypertech since i am gonna lift it about 5" to clear the 2 sets of 36-12. 50 tires i already have from my last truck<#@$%!

and i will need to recalibrate the speedo.

i am looking for just a bit more power over stock for fun and towing.

but my problem is i am getting very poor fuel economy right now 14-15mpg empty!!! i was hoping for 20+mpg when i got the truck



So what transmission mods am i gonna need with this setup? i am figurong a nice torque converter atleast. but i am really wondering if there is a way to wire some sort of speed switch up to lock up the TC say from 30mph and higher then unlock again at 20mph.

Thanx for humoring me.



Ron

 

[JJPage]

Call DTT and make an appointment, buy a Smarty. Call it an early Christmas!

 

[BILLVO]

Forget about the superchip and hypertech and get a smarty. Also forget about 20+ mpg, 15-18 is pretty normal for a 24v. 20 is more like it for a 12v.



What you will do with the rig will determine what transmission mods you need to do. A TC and VB upgrade are fine if you are not racing. There are a lot of threads here on installing tc lockup switches I will find a couple and post them for ya to help out the newby .



Click on the links below to another thread that has several other links to TC lockup switch options.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=178608



The link below has a lot of other good info also,scroll down to transmission section there are several torque converter lockup switch options here also.



http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/mods/index.html



Hope some of this helps you out.

 

[Stangpwr71]

Okay thanx BILLVO for the links.

now the only question i have that i didnt see a answer to is some sort of speed sensitive switch?

the wheel speed sensor is a hall effect type switch correct?



is there anyway to get a relay to "pop" once it reaches a certain speed?



also i dont intend to tow more then 8000lbs with my car trailer loaded. but most the time i will be running empty/ or bed loaded.



Ron

 

[PPettit]

Hey there stangpwr71,

How many miles are on your truck? My '01 transmission bit the dust at ~115K miles and I did the full DTT rebuild. Expensive but it works very well. Their TC design has much less slip than the stock one and puts way more power to the ground.

With 36" tires you may want to run some 4. 11 gears if not already set up that way.

Stop by Source Automotive and talk with Rip over there. A world of info. Also the NWBombers have quite a few members in the Portland area. Gives you a chance to try before you by sorta... ... .

Also, if you don't have gauges yet, make that your first mod. EGT, boost, transmission temp and fuel pressure are gotta have it's.



edit: Oops, see you already have the gauges!

Phil

 

[johncameron]

Smarty:d :d :d :d :d :d

 

[fox]

Go with a DTT converter , don't try the locked shifts or you may be braking shafts.

Get the Smarty as it allows you to reprogram the speedo!!

I'd also suggest an injector change. Try the Mach 1. 6 injector. Nice power increase along with mileage improvement.

You are about to get bit by the BOMBING bug!!!!

 

[DCreed]

blitzkreig!!!!! l. o. l.

 

[BTowler]

Don't know of any way to diy a speed controlled switch, but DTT, ATS and Suncoast offer lock-up controllers. Likewise, stay away from the Superchips and Hypertech and go with a Smarty. I would recommend an Edge Juice w/Attitude monitor, but you already have your gauges, you could've saved that money and put it toward the Juice. You can get a TC and valve body from any of the companies, plus Suncoast offers an extreme rebuild kit.



As far as mileage, don't expect a whole lot with 4x4 and 36" tires. I know people that only got 14-15 with stock tires and no lift no matter what they tried.

 

[DCreed]

im gettin 16. 5 mixed city/hiway i dont baby it (just blew trans,lol)and 31" tires

 

[BTowler]

im gettin 16. 5 mixed city/hiway i dont baby it (just blew trans,lol)and 31" tires

Again! Have mine back now, shifts like a rock, fourth and lock-up will bounce things on the dash!:-laf

 

[Stangpwr71]

okay i have a question about a box. has anyone heard of diesel dynamics true torque power module? also i just ordered the lift kit yesterday so the tires will be on soon :O yeah. . also i may just settle for a better tc, and vavlebody when my transmission goes. (I wish i had a pressure guage and such to figure out how good the internals are. then i would upgrade sooner)

also i think i may be looking for some rv275 injectores soon.

 

[BTowler]

It sounds like you are going to be in the range where you will need to look at billet shafts and a flex plate. If you do a hard launch in 4wd you can snap your stock input, output or intermediate shaft, plus you can rip the center out of your stock flex plate. All of which can lead to far more expensive damage, especially the flex plate.

 

[Stangpwr71]

Should i even worry about the shafts or flexplate if i dont plan on draging it? especially in 4wd?

 

[BTowler]

You are putting around 180hp to the wheels, add RV275's that ups to about 240hp, then add a box, lets say an Edge Juice, up to 120hp gain which puts you at 360hp. After all this you will need a better turbo, approximately 25hp more, 385hp. Now figure your torque will be approximately double that, 770lbs! If you don't plan on ever getting on it or towing heavy with it and intend to baby it you might get by. I would suggest at the minimum a billet input and output plus the flexplate. If your flexplate goes it can do damage to the engine and transmission. Bombing these trucks is not a cheap date by any means.