transmission Concerns....

[StephenThomas]

Hello cummins freaks... . i'm a new TDR member (this is my first post) and a first time Cummins owner. I can't believe I never visited this site before today! I can't stop reading the forums... there's so much great info... . you guys are awesome!!



Anyways... I've got the BOMBing bug and after making a few mods, I WANT MORE RWHP!! MORE!! MORE!! MORE!!!! The problem is that I have a stock auto transmission (see sig for full details of my Ram). The other problem is that I have champagne taste, but a beer budget. With my K&N, 4" exhaust, and DD's True Torque Power Module (god I love that little box), I'm estimating that I am about 60-65 HP over stock. Can my transmission handle anymore HP increase?? I've not experienced any known problems with the transmission thusfar (47k miles on it now).



If I want to add more power (say with new injectors), what modifications will need to made to my transmission?? I know squat about transmission's, so please talk to me like i'm in grade school. Where do I get the upgrade, who to install, etc... How much should I expect to ask the wife to let me spend? :-{} LOL

 

[rrausch]

Welcome to the TDR! This is a great site. You will learn a lot about your truck here.



Well, it somewhat depends on what your plans are for your truck. Are you going to race? Tow? Tow heavy?



I have a '95 with the 47RH (hydraulic controlled), I believe you have the 47RE, which is electronically controlled. There are several good trans builders out there, although the stock trans seems to be good for about 200+ h. p. and 600+ Ft. Lbs of Torque.



If you only have 47,000 miles on it, you won't need a complete trans rebuild. Just a Torque Converter and Valve Body will make an amazing difference, AND make your trans last a lot longer than stock. Stock, the Torque Converter Clutches will start to slip & degrade under High H. P. , heat and pressure, and that will send little bits of clutch material into the trans making for an expensive headache--(rebuild time)



I went with ATS, out of Denver because of their reputation for building rock-solid transmissions for hot-shotters who tow heavy loads up and across the Rockies.

Their TripleLok Torque Converter will not slip, degrade, burn, peel, crumble etc. It won't slip I don't care how much HP & Torque you put through it. It's been tested to 1700 Ft. Lbs. of Torque. I've put 24,000 miles on my ATS since last year, and I love it.



Wives have been known to appreciate the ATS upgrade when they are told an upgraded TC and VB will actually make the trans last LONGER. And you won't have to replace them in 150,000 miles when you get a rebuild!!



Here is a Thread I posted when I returned from getting my trans.

You should also do a search. A LOT has been written on this site about trans re-builders. ATS, BD, Suncoast, Goerends, and DTT are 5 of the best. Clint Cannon's phone number, at ATS is 800-949-6002



https://www.turbodieselregister.com...?threadid=40441&highlight=Experience+with+ATS

 

[Bob Wagner]

Stephen, knowledge is king do a search of the archive



one size does not fit all

 

[StephenThomas]

Thx for info....

Thanks for the info guys... .



To answer your question Robert, my plans for the truck are for use as a daily driver for work and occasional trailer pulling (my camp trailer is only 5200lbs packed).



After reading and searching the archives, I think my next step is going to be to buy some gauges versus adding more horsepower (for now). I found a good deal on a pillar gauge mount last night, now I need to buy the actual gauges. Any suggestions fellas??

 

[klaybus]

Trans Upgrade

If you've got the bombing bug you'de better upgrade trans soon. From what I've read the stock auto won't hold up to much more upgrades than you've done now... .

I just had DTT replace mine & it works awesome. Like was mentioned in the previous post, there are several good aftermarked upgrades & vendors to chose from. DTT V-bodies run $460 & a new DTT TC run approx. $1000. I believe labor to R&R is about $500 & to install a just the VB coould run around $150 +-... .

With under 50k miles I believe DTT offers an upgrade for the trans, New VB, TC, Clutch upgrade, & a few misc. other things for about $2000. DTT Phone number is 1-866-504-4002. Ask for Bill.

The complete off the shelf price for a complete transmission & TC is $3499 + $500 for the R&R... . I believe that price runs typically the same from vendor to vendor for an after-market trans regardless of which transmission you decide to use.



Good Luck,

Clay

 

[Mtngoat]

I started out like you. I ended up with DTT. They do have a great product, the truck shifts awesome!

And you have a wife involved..... the situation could get ugly!!! Keep a blanket and pillow in the truck, you might need it!







Robin

 

[alaskax]

I ran the stock auto with 100 hp over stock for about 70,000 miles, and toward the end the lockup clutch (THE culprit) had been slipping for, hmmm... maybe 30-40,000 miles. It was getting really bad, and my transmission was starting to have some real troubles. I upgraded with the ATS top of the line everything, which works great, but is not easy on the bank account. You should be able to get by with the triple lock torque converter (less than $2k) and be good for a long time to come, depending on your bombs! Even without the power upgraded, the stock converter is known to typically lose integrity, slip, and the debris takes out the rest of the transmission over time.

 

[StephenThomas]

Good info...

AlaskaX... thanks for sharing your experience -- love your truck btw! How much did that exhaust set you back?? I just put a 4" exhaust on mine and looking at yours makes me feel a bit inadequate. I guess size does matter eh fellas?!! About the ATS transmission you had put in... . did ATS install or did you have one of your local transmission vendors do it? Seems like ATS has a great reputation for their trannys... . I'm going to look into them further.

 

[alaskax]

5" and transmission

I had just recently put on a 4" exhaust system, and liked it, but then got the bug to put on a stack system. I'm 4" out of the turbo, and straight-piped to a 5" elbow under the truck, and 5" the rest of the way. Most guys go with 4" piping to the stacks, but I plan (when money allows! ) on a twin (compound) turbo system which will include a big (5") outlet from the big turbo, and it will be a snap to switch out the 4" pipe with 5" underneath at that time. By the way, I left in my muffler for the 4" system at first, and really liked the sound, but even liked it better with the muffler out Oh, from downpipe back the pieces cost $440.



Drove my truck to Colorado to have them do the work. They do have a network of shops that will also do it, but just to ship the whole transmission was going to be several hundred, so figured it was worth the drive! If you call them, they will tell you which shop near you can do the work. Hope this helps!



John