Transmission let go, looking at options and need opinions

[BigFish]

Hello all, this is my first time posting here, and I'm relatively new to owning a diesel truck, so please bear with the FNG.
I own a 2006 2500 mega cab, with a 5.9 and a 48re.
Earlier this week I was driving through town and the trans completely let go with very little warning, I'm fairly certain the converter let go on me. I'm looking at options for converters and rebuild kits and need some advice/educated opinions on what I should be looking at to fit my wants and needs.
The truck has a smarty touch, 4" exhaust, fass titanium, 60 hp injectors (so I was told), and rides on 35s. I'd like to be able to take advantage of as much of the power the truck has to offer as I can while retaining a relatively comfortable daily drive.
With that said, can anyone suggest a single disk that will hold with this truck on a 90 or 130hp tune? I'd prefer to avoid the harsh manners of a multi disk of possible.
Second question is regarding the bd rebuild kits. They offer stage 1-4, being relatively ignorant when it comes to the guts of an auto trans, I could use some guidance on which stage I should be looking at as well.
My goal is obviously to stay as budget friendly as I can and not break stuff when I stand on the skinny pedal. I'm not drag racing or sled pulling, just a little smiles per gallon on the street from time to time.
What say you?

 

[DavidC]

You might give a look here, they come highly recommended on the forums
https://goerend.com/dodge/

 

[p-Bar]

Was the blown trans stock? I don't think you can do it with a single disk.

 

[BigFish]

Was the blown trans stock? I don't think you can do it with a single disk.

It is stock, supposedly with a billet single disc converter, but I'm not sure considering it was done before I bought it and I haven't seen the converter they pulled yet.
I was looking at the DPC DRM1 biplet single disc as a possibility. DPC rates them to be able to hold 500hp, but doesn't specify whether that's with increased pressure from an aftermarket VB or if thats with an otherwise stock trans.
If I could get it to hold 550 or so with an aftermarket valve body and avoide the harshness and need for billet shaft that comes with a triple, I think id be fine with it.
I just don't know enough about auto trans yet to know for sure.

 

[p-Bar]

You need the pressure to make that torque converter work correctly. I had my 48RE built with triple disk, valve body, billet input shaft . The shifts are harsh if your foot is into it. I've learned to back of on the pedal when I knew it was going to shift so it's not so harsh. Call Goerend they can help you spec what you will need. may want to replace the cooler if that torque converter let go.

 

[BigFish]

Thanks p-Bar. The guy that's rebuilding the trans for me (the mechanic I bought it from), is rebuilding it for me at very little cost to me since it went out so soon after I bought it. He has already ordered the parts, so I'm going to go with his choice of parts for now. I'll swap an appropriate aftermarket VB in once I get it back, and see how long it lasts. He is going to use a billet low stall single disk, and upgraded clutch packs and bands, along with upgrading the governor pressure solenoid and a few other things.
If it'll hold up to 500ish hp at that point, I'll be happy...for now lol

 

[Tuesdak]

'd prefer to avoid the harsh manners of a multi disk of possible

After owning a high stall triple disk behind a hot rod diesel ... have you ever used a triple disk converter? The one I used wasn't any harsher than the OEM lockup and that's with a high stall converter. By the time it locks one is generally out of the throttle. High stall was specific to the engine and turbo setup and doesn't apply to most Cummins builds.

The OEM single disk I used wouldn't let me lug it at 35 MPH locked up - it slipped and the TCM would start unlocking it and re-locking it. With a Yank Triple disk I could lug it as low as I wanted. Lots of 35 MPH in town and GM likes to lock at 45 MPH on everything. So for MPG I would override it to lock up in town at 35 MPH. The first thing to go was the OEM TC clutch on my transmissions.

Just saying you may have better luck and longer life with a high quality triple disk. Beware of the cheap junk out there: they are no end of vibration, overheating, and other debris generating problems that can make one rebuild their transmission again, again...

For fun the big turbo doesn't light till 2000 RPM. No HP to back up the TQ at low RPM out of this 6.2. No Smoke fuel setting.

 

[AEdelheit]

I would do the TC and VB from the same company to ensure it all plays well together, I have a Goerend VB and triple disc converter, shifts great, not harsh nor is lockup harsh but when I put the throttle to the floor even towing 10k it will smoke the tires if Im not careful from a dead stop, has no problem putting the power to the ground and it stays pretty cool too which a mismatched combination of parts will not do.

 

[cerberusiam]

35" tires and a stock transmission is recipe for disaster. Even a moderately built one if it is not done correctly can be less than adequate.

Triple disk are fine if you want to swap them out every 200k or so and your are running hot and heavy all the time. The dirty little secret about triple disks is the rattle some exhibit and th einherent wear issues and tendency to destroy a trans at some point. They are a necessary evil at times so so low dollar budget stuff there, you buy the best and pay the $$ at that means a Goerend.

This kit has everyhting for a HP build sans some parts I do not like: https://goerend.com/goerend-48re-gt3-high-horsepower-master-overhaul-kit/

Highly recommend billet apply pistons on both front and rear drums, TCS servos rather than Sonnax, Sonnax OD piston support, an A-1 bolt in sprag, OD case saver, and GPZ clutches in direct forward and OD brake.

TC doesn't rely on pressure to work correctly, it relies on design. Hence the problems with buying generic stuff. Goerned has patented parts in there t address the biggest issues.

 

[Tuesdak]

it will smoke the tires if Im not careful from a dead stop

Roger that! Backing up a driveway with a loaded moving trailer and the front tires hang on the curb. Add more throttle, little more, and Turbo lights off followed immediately by the rear wheels lighting up. Next time I used 4x4 to back up that driveway. Lighting off the rear wheels in reverse with a trailer will wake you up!

 

[AEdelheit]

Roger that! Backing up a driveway with a loaded moving trailer and the front tires hang on the curb. Add more throttle, little more, and Turbo lights off followed immediately by the rear wheels lighting up. Next time I used 4x4 to back up that driveway. Lighting off the rear wheels in reverse with a trailer will wake you up!

Yes it will, I have 4.56 gears too so even with 37" tires the transmission put power through so smoothly its really hard not to spin the tires.