transmission Is Done!!!!

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Am I to understand that a valve body and torque convertor upgrade will produce these harsh shifts and that is just the way it is? Is there a vendor that can take the mush out of the convertor without resorting to NHRA style shifts? My wife drives this truck and I would get a real chewin if I brought it home and the transmission slammed gears. This notion of learning to drive around the harsh shifting wouldn't fly with me, not for the kind of $$ these vendors get.



Is there a VB/TC upgrade for those of us wanting something mild? Something that puts the power down more efficiently without the race trans mentality?

BHolm I heard a triple-lock torque converter tends to make for harsher shifts because of the higher mass (weight) of the TC compared to a single disk TC (can't say from personal experience if that's true though). With the single the need for an upgraded flex plate and cryo'd shafts isn't as great. I'm planning on a single when I do my '98's transmission.

 

[Fred Swanson]

BHolm, yes, there vendors that can make the trucks shift smooth, and take out the mush of OEM.



Vaughn, I'd tend to agree that the multi disk TC's engage harsher, plus most I have driven do not have a very tight fluid coupling which compunds the harshness of engaging lockup.

 

[BHolm]

Not to hi-jack the thread but if these products exist, what are they? I would be fine with a single disc. I mostly would like the stall speed lowered. It is obnoxious how the engine revs from a stop with a big load on. The most I will ever bomb this truck would be something along the lines of an EZ or VA box and a 60hp boost. I sure do not want to end up with a truck I need to learn to drive, it should simply work.



This thread is a reminder of how scary it can get modding an expensive machine. I hope they fix Smokin Joes truck with a different valve body. I guess I would have to accept the stock set up if a slam bangin transmission is the alternative.

 

[JoshPeters]

OK... being the word Suncoast has been said in this thread I can't recommend any other vendor, or anything of that nature.



What it sounds like to me... . When the TC locks up and is THAT violent, the converter is too loose at that RPM.



The Shifts being to hard again, that can be set up differently, and is by another vendor... but I can't say due to Transmission thread guidelines.



If you want more info... shoot me a PM.



Josh

 

[Big P]

It's not the lock-up that is so harsh, it's the 3-4 shift. That's how my valvebody was set-up, I wanted firm/hard shifts. and I got it alright! :-laf In tow/haul mode it's worse because the ecm tells the tc to lock-up almost instantly. It almost feels like it shifts locked to locked. Like I said, once you drive it for a while, you learn how to avoid the 3-4 hard shift.

 

[Smokin Joes 2500]

This thread is a reminder of how scary it can get modding an expensive machine. I hope they fix Smokin Joes truck with a different valve body. I guess I would have to accept the stock set up if a slam bangin transmission is the alternative. [/QUOTE]



Yes I must say if I had my $3400 dollars back I might not have done this!! Thats the Gods honest truth!! I'm convinced Enterprise will try and take care of me, I'm just missing the heck out of my big red baby I think that when it shifts, being that the converter no longer slips AT ALL, it just bangs hard. The thing I dont like is the shaking drive train. Any amount of common sense tells you its only a matter of time before somthing lets go. LET THIS BE A LESSON TO ME AND ALL WHO WILL "BOMB" THER IS A PRICE TO PAY FOR EVERY MOD WE MAKE! Im still glad Im Dodge/Cummins and will be till they dig a six foot deep hole and haul my carcass ou to the lot in the bed of a Dodge Cummins and toss me in. Lord only knows I'm glad I'm not Allisoning or TorqueShifting :-laf I appreciate all the kind words and responses, I'm sure this will work itself out but am anxios to get my rig back. Even if I have to LEARN how to drive again Ill drive her till she has the death rattle, I LOVE HER :-laf See ya tomorrow guys as I hope to have her back. Doug said Thurs. night or Fri. morn. Well see what the easter bunny brings me this year!

 

[JoshPeters]

I just think it's unfortunate you weren't warned of such issues prior to purchasing such a spendy unit.



The only complaint I have is under light to moderate throttle mine MIGHT bark the turbo.



A pounding shift like that sounds like a good way to break parts to me... .



I hope everyone is happy with the outcome, especially you Joe!



Josh

 

[Smokin Joes 2500]

Thanks pal, I guess this year it really will be Good Friday as I'm supposed to get her back tomorrow. The tech told me on the phone today that they cant go home until my truck is done. They are being real cool about it so I dont want any bad thoughts toward Enterprise Engines it just so happens I'm the one that complained about it and that, to some degree, got the ball rollin' Well I'll post tomorrow and let you know!!!

 

[ROCKJEEP]

So now I am really worried. I just lost my trans and going to upgrade some parts. I am going with a single disk from Dunrite and there VB shift kit with lock up switch. Can't afford billet anything right now. We are also going to do some mods to the clutch circuits. I have no clue about it but dunrite has it all planned out.

Kory

 

[AKAMAC]

ROCKJEEP, You will like the shift feel of the DR VB. You may need to get a noise filter for the OD lock-up sequence if it hesitates during lock-up at @45MPH. Of course I have a 47re transmission so YMMV. Good luck, Mike

 

[ROCKJEEP]

I also have the 47re so its good to hear you input. I also liked that if I forgot to turn off the switch it won't kill the motor when I stop, is that right.

Kory

 

[Smokin Joes 2500]

got truck back

Well I got my truck back today, and I must say Im fairly pleased. The truck still bangs gears pretty hard but lock up doesnt shake the truck as hard as it used to. It still whacks em with athourity just not as bad. The guys at Enterprise were real good, they answered all my questions and didnt seem impatient. All in all Im satisfied, the tech told me "your not going to get it to shift much softer so get used to it, you do have an agressive converter and valvebody" So there you have it if you go with the three disk plan on no-slippie :-laf Just think I got the "medium" shift firmness not the "hard" cant imagine the hard one

 

[CLAYTON]

Can't afford billet anything right now.

I did the same thing and it I paid big time for it later. Do what ever you can to at least do the billet input shaft when they have the transmission open. You can do the output and flexplate later for less.

 

[Stefan Kondolay]

If they told you that it's to do with lock-up the only shift that should be harsh should 3-4. 1-2 and 2-3 should be fine. If that's the only issue then they might be right.

 

[Smokin Joes 2500]

If they told you that it's to do with lock-up the only shift that should be harsh should 3-4. 1-2 and 2-3 should be fine. If that's the only issue then they might be right.

Thank you, its good to hear that, especially coming from one of the most respected names in transmissions on these hear pages. Just refreshing to have people and this resource available to us. Thanks Stephan I only wish you guys were closer to me as it only takes about 10 hours from here and im standing in the Atlantic ocean :-laf

 

[Donn]

Just got back from Enterprise Engines, transmission is done!!!!! Suncoast torque converter, valve body and SFI flexplate. Also had them put on the BD transmission pan I boght a long time ago. Truck shifts HARD. Seems a bit quicker when locked up is that me or the converter?? Guess I would notice more had I towed with it. Now its time to buy a trailer.









My only question is this when it goes into high gear lock-up it shifts real hard shakes the whole drivetrain It did it when stock too just more pronounced now. Also what is the reason for the RPM drop when it changes gears? I know its supposed to do that just dont know why.





P. S. Im now an advocate for changing the flexplate too. Ive seen my mom bake pies in those disposable aluminum pie pans that were thicker than the stock flexplate

might be the panny

 

[Diesel Nut]

If you can't aford billet anything then leave it alone and drive it nice till you can. Go big or go home. Its twice the expense to pay me to install a VB/tq converter then pull the trans again cause you broke the input and wrecked the clutches. Build it right the first time. You will thank yourself without even knowing it!



Joe - You should have the "meduim" shift. If you went up to the 93% converter you may well need to drive with a neck brace. I hear they hit HARD!!!! I opted for the 91% for the shop truck. Plenty tight enough but not enough to have to pay for the doctor bills!

 

[Smokin Joes 2500]

might be the panny

Whats a panny???