Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Transmission ??!!

[JoshPeters]

With the power and torque that these trucks are capable of, having a regular transmission company do the work is just like having a stock rebuild. They can add a shift kit, which can help, but they are still using a crappy torque converter. They also don't know the updated pistons and clutch packs that these builders use. The builders we have listed will take the time to basically balance and blue print the transmissions they build. They mill parts to make them fit better. They build custom torque converters.



Want an in-depth conversation, call Dave Goerend. He will be happy to talk with you about what you want and what you are going to get.



JP

 

[BCeccarossi]

This is stuff that transmission guys have benn doing for years, by way of adding to the clutch packs. I can only assume the same concept applys by maching the parts to add clutches. I would also assume that if you were to buy parts from one of top builders and had a local shop bulid your unit it would not be a stock rebuild, I would be supplying all parts including a conveter. Im looking to buy a master overhual kit that aamco would use. The knowledge is out there or these companys wouldnt be offering just there parts. I have checked all mentioned web sites and except for 1 all sell parts and trannys! Questions who has a better product? none of these companys are in my back yard so to speak.

 

[JoshPeters]

This is stuff that transmission guys have benn doing for years, by way of adding to the clutch packs. I can only assume the same concept applys by maching the parts to add clutches. I would also assume that if you were to buy parts from one of top builders and had a local shop bulid your unit it would not be a stock rebuild, I would be supplying all parts including a conveter. Im looking to buy a master overhual kit that aamco would use. The knowledge is out there or these companys wouldnt be offering just there parts. I have checked all mentioned web sites and except for 1 all sell parts and trannys! Questions who has a better product? none of these companys are in my back yard so to speak.

The additional clutch packs that you are talking about is a whole different ballgame than what I'm talking about. AAMCO doesn't take the time to Mill a piston shorter to allow for another clutch. I'd be supprised if they had access to a mill.



Here's a question for you... A friend and local farmer had 6 transmissions built locally. None would stand up. He has had ONE from Dave Goerend. He has had no problems with it since.



Now if ALL these companies are doing the same thing, why are the 4 listed above holding 600-1000hp? Ask your local guy to get you a Billet Input shaft. I'm sure he can find it, but I'd doubt that he has heard of them before. How about a Billet output shaft for a 47RH? I will doubt he could even find that one.



At this point, we can only give you advise. If you take it and use it... Great. If not, don't say We didn't warn you. There are MANY people on this forum who have been burned.



JP

 

[BCeccarossi]

Point taken, but if a local guy was supplied with all the same parts that lets say, Suncoast uses, whos to say you couldnt get transmission that would hold up? Now at this point youd be comparing apples to apples. Dont get me wrong that why im asking questions! I have also put 5 trannys in my 99, 3 from Dealer and 2 from a local shop who swore he could fix it. I should have taken my truck out of there when I approached him with articles on aftermarket converters and valve bodies. So I do hear what you guys are saying

 

[SnoKing]

Point taken, but if a local guy was supplied with all the same parts that lets say, Suncoast uses, whos to say you couldnt get transmission that would hold up? Now at this point youd be comparing apples to apples. Dont get me wrong that why im asking questions! I have also put 5 trannys in my 99, 3 from Dealer and 2 from a local shop who swore he could fix it. I should have taken my truck out of there when I approached him with articles on aftermarket converters and valve bodies. So I do hear what you guys are saying

OK, lets just take DTT as an example. They have installers all over the country. Do they just grab joe blow and send him the parts. NO, they carefully select people and bring them to their shop for training on how to correctly build a transmission to their spec. It is much more than just the parts. They profile your truck and requirements, and build to that requirement. They keep a file on your transmission and truck with every detail.



You can take a horse to water, but they do not always want to drink.



Call Bill, Dave or others and see want you think. BTW, DTT will not sell just parts, as they know that the end result is miss and hit when doing that.



SNOKING

 

[JoshPeters]

Point taken, but if a local guy was supplied with all the same parts that lets say, Suncoast uses, whos to say you couldnt get transmission that would hold up? Now at this point youd be comparing apples to apples. Dont get me wrong that why im asking questions! I have also put 5 trannys in my 99, 3 from Dealer and 2 from a local shop who swore he could fix it. I should have taken my truck out of there when I approached him with articles on aftermarket converters and valve bodies. So I do hear what you guys are saying

I think most of them will sell you the parts, but it's just the standard rebuild kit. I don't think they will sell you the milled pistons, etc.



Those things are "tricks of the trade" for a reason, and those guys like to keep them that way.



I understand what your saying, believe me. I'm an ASE and Mercedes-Benz Certified Tech, I have no problem rebuilding my own transmission. But with all the specialty stuff they do, it's very difficult for a trans builder to touch it.



Just another question to ask your trans builder... . Tell him you want your main line pressures to be up around 170psi at WOT, but you want it to shift smooth. Watch the look on his face. These builders can and will do that for you. Do you know it's shifting, oh definatly. Is it like an old TH400 behind a built 350 where it chirps the tires at each shift... no. Hard shifts break parts. That's the difference between HP and Torque... .



JP

 

[JCutter]

I would bank on that any name brand transmission builder would sell you individual parts but you would hear the old saying " Your, your warranty station" and would not do any warranty like if you had them build the whole thing.



From what ive seen they all use the nice standard rebuild kits except probably the full time racers might use alto reds, which i was advised not to use for daily driving. I havent heard of any other?



I have talked to Dave and he is a GREAT guy to talk to, along with Bill at DTT. There both straight forward and will give you a straight answer. I would advise talking to them.



I haved looked for transmission parts and found some websites that sell anything from individual parts to complete trannys. www.bulkpart.com, www.transmissioncenter.net and WIT (Whatever It Takes) in louisville Ky are among a few that will sell parts or complete ones. WIT is probably the cheapest for stock parts (steels, clutches, cases , ect. . )



Them were for misc. parts. I have never usedtranscenter but have looked. The other two i have bought off of and had good luck.



As for specialty parts (milled drilled and other stuff) almost any HP trans shop should know what it takes to build a dependable transmission for your needs if you have the parts. Thats if you have a high performance shop near you. Granted most of the basic shops are clueless, but i have talked to a few that knew what was going on. Just call and talk first.



Like some of the other guys mentioned before call Bill or Dave there easy to talk to and will help you out in any way.



Good luck and welcome to the site.



Jeremie