Triple lock vs. single??

[TxDieselKid]

When I was doing research to get my transmission built, I did several things. First I called ATS, and I called my local DTT installer James Northem. I talked with them about all the pros and cons of their system, and what they might know about the others system. Then I went out and drove some trucks from other members who had ATS and DTT. Then I took a paper tablet and wrote out an essay giving reasons why each is better then the other. When all was said and done I went with DTT, and choose James Northem to do the instal. I trusted him before, and trust him even more now that the process is over. If I ever need anything I know the DTT installers, and DTT themselves will be there for me should the need arise.



Do your own homework, and go with the company that you think is best, not that we/I/anyone else thinks is best.



Wolf Pack member,

Andrew

 

[Matt400]

Originally posted by TxDieselKid

Then I took a paper tablet and wrote out an essay giving reasons why each is better then the other.

Dude! That is really doing your homework.

 

[Matt400]

Originally posted by LaserBob

If I think before I apply the throttle, I run with most of the traffic and only make a haze.

LaserBob. . Would that be towing or empty? Any mods to your intake or exhaust and I suppose EGT's are higher with less air flow?

 

[LaserBob]

Matt400... Both. Most of the time I am slightly faster than most of the traffic. As most 12 valvers will tell you, smoke is easy.



As far as mods to things... ... ..... PDR, DTT stuff. Runs OK.



Last time on the dyno in Ft Collins 473hp and 991 tq,

 

[StakeMan]

I can't comment on any other brand but ATS. First the stats for my truck... .



127,000 miles

497 hp and 1064 ftlbs on a dyno

13. 9x at 5700' elevation

18+ mpg in town with 4. 10 gears.

Truck smokes very little. Others can back me on that.



I may have been one of the first to have and post about the ATS transmission. It has now been been at least 75,000 miles of abuse since the upgrade and I have not had a single problem.



Some said the TC is to heavy and that the rear mains won't hold it. (Still going)

Some said it would slip. (Not even once)

Some said it would break shafts and flexplates. (Still OEM on mine)



Seems like some were wrong.



I think I made the right decision for me. You need to research, test drive, and decide what is best for you. The transmission can be set to do just about anything you want it to, buy any of the vendors.

 

[justinp20012500]

Originally posted by StakeMan

I can't comment on any other brand but ATS. First the stats for my truck... .



127,000 miles

497 hp and 1064 ftlbs on a dyno

13. 9x at 5700' elevation

18+ mpg in town with 4. 10 gears.

Truck smokes very little. Others can back me on that.



I may have been one of the first to have and post about the ATS transmission. It has now been been at least 75,000 miles of abuse since the upgrade and I have not had a single problem.



Some said the TC is to heavy and that the rear mains won't hold it. (Still going)

Some said it would slip. (Not even once)

Some said it would break shafts and flexplates. (Still OEM on mine)



Seems like some were wrong.



I think I made the right decision for me. You need to research, test drive, and decide what is best for you. The transmission can be set to do just about anything you want it to, buy any of the vendors.

I broke my input shaft... . But I was out screwing around with a lock up device... I have put about 10 k on mine. Not one issue.



I think I still will play around with some different stator combinations.

 

[Idaho CTD]

I also run a DTT trans in both of my auto trucks. I've run/towed with all the race converters that DTT offers also. I would say up to 500hp (or twin turbo equipped) a 89% converter is the best driving/towing converter DTT offers. Granted my two auto trucks are pushed to the limit in hp but are turned down for towing.



I got the chance to ride in a high hp (around 600hp) truck in Muncie this year with a triple disk converter and it was a whole different world. The truck didn't do well outside of lockup (compared to my two trucks). Once in lockup it seemed to pull well but the shift points were close in rpm which indicates the converter was slipping. The lockup shifts also seemed more violent then the shifting in my truck even during locked 3-4 shifts. This is only one example of a triple disk converter by one manufacturer but it's the only comparison I can offer.

 

[Edward]

I know the question was about transmissions and the Blue Thunder is seeking advise on which brand. I think what I am about to say will benefit also. Who do you listen to for example? When we seek information we want it accurate dependable and straight forward. When someone is referred to as an expert it is implied that when that person speaks you can take it to the bank because they are right. When an engine expert says that engine X will throw a rod at around 34,000 miles that engine better pitch a rod out the side of the block at around 34,000 miles or that “expert” be demoted. When I get expert advise I want it the same as work done on my truck, right the first time. I can comment on the expert advise of all the major transmission manufactures out there because I have personally spoken to each as a consumer of their advise. Some of the things said by so-called experts may be biased so beware. For instance a highly recommended “expert” told me that the disks in his competitions in multi disk torque converters would eat through the front cover. That turned out to be wrong. There is not one instance of this happening. I would also recommend caution when you see a list posted by any transmission vendor of high horsepower trucks using their product. A good question to ask that vendor is how many of those high horsepower trucks have trashed your product and had to come back for repair? It is one thing to imply that a product will hold 700+ horsepower and then find out that the same 700+ horsepower trashed the transmission. If you spend time reading the competition forums on the diesel sights you will find trucks mentioned in those lists that have trashed their automatics and had to be trailed back for a rebuild. Is the list misleading? You decide.

When you talk to the vendors tell them exactly what you want because the first thing any business wants is a happy customer and they know they will only get that if you get what you want. So how do you decide? Read carefully, qualify who you consider an expert and communicate what you want from the rebuilders you speak to. If you do that I believe you will find that the vendors you speak with will tell you honestly if they can give you what you want. I don’t know of any business that wants a dissatisfied customer.



Edward

 

[JoshPeters]

Originally posted by smoop

Josh,

Yes you purchased a Sun Coast single disc approx 2 years ago.

When you seemed to think you had a problem I offered to warranty the converter if you would return it. You would not give the supplier the opportunity to remedy a problem or even determine what the problem is. It seems you would rather keep it in your box, this way the real answer will never arrive and you have something to post and ***** about. People who wake up each day looking for a reason to be offended are never disappointed.

smoop

Suncoasts offer to me was to Rebuild the bad unit. I asked for a new one to be sent, so Suncoast could recieve the bad unit. . rebuild it. . and go from there. Suncoast would not. I'd have to pay for ANOTHER new one till you could tell me what I already knew. OK, I asked for more information. Pressures, why were they low, What is making them low? Rebuild the transmission was Suncoasts only answer. Down time would not allow for a converter to be sent across the country... and back... in the time it would take for me to remove, rebuild and reinstall the transmission. I talked to a few people about issues. Another Gentleman from Florida has had some problems... . similar to mine. Customer service is key.



Josh

 

[Matt400]

Originally posted by Edward

I know the question was about transmissions and the Blue Thunder is seeking advise on which brand.

Actually it was converters and it was not which one is best but:

What are the different characteristics of each??

How do they drive?



But all the reading so far has been interesting and I have enjoyed everyones input.

 

[Jetpilot]

originally posted by Edward

[I would also recommend caution when you see a list posted by any transmission vendor of high horsepower trucks using their product. A good question to ask that vendor is how many of those high horsepower trucks have trashed your product and had to come back for repair?

Well I can say that I have never had a trashed DTT transmission! This says a lot considering the HP my trucks make and the way I drive.



Doug

 

[propuller]

I am one of those DTT customers on that 700 horse list & my transmission has NOT been touched since the install. The only thing that has been done is fluid & filters. I abuse this thing also & i thought that if anybody could tear one up it would be me but i cant even make this measly little single disc converter slip at all no matter what i do. I completely trashed my stock trans within 5,000 miles treating it alot nicer than my dtt trans. How many DTT trany owners have had problems?Maybe somebody should take a poll.



Kurt

 

[Idaho CTD]

The only reason either of my transmission's have been out of my trucks have been for hard parts(Billet shafts) or torque converter changes. Never for any internal damage. My '02 has had over 600hp (and closer to 700) for around 20k miles (with around 80 passes down the 1/4). My 04. 5 has been over 500hp for about 9k miles (bought new in April) and around 20 1/4 mile passes.



I have trailered a friend home twice with a broken DTT transmission. Once was a broken intermediate shaft (if it didn't happen we wouldn't have a billet option today) and the second time the sled operator locked the brakes on him in Muncie. The second time he burnt the first gear clutches without any other damage. Not too bad for a 700hp truck trying to pull a sled with the brakes on. He also has a air locker in the front so all 4 of his tires were spinning. How many auto transmission's from any maker have lived through that?



From what I have gathered and experienced between my trucks and the one triple disk converter truck I have been in, the triple disk converter companies rely on lockup for proper function. The DTT single disk converters rely more on fluid coupling for proper function. Sure DTT's uses lockup but it is done by the stock computer in 3rd and OD only in the 2nd gen's and 2nd, 3rd, and OD in the 3rd gens. Can anyone tell us if any of the triple disk companies sell a transmission without a controller for a high hp truck (500hp+) or at all?



Nathan

 

[jimk]

information

Originally posted by propuller

I am one of those DTT customers on that 700 horse list & my transmission has NOT been touched since the install. The only thing that has been done is fluid & filters. I abuse this thing also & i thought that if anybody could tear one up it would be me but i cant even make this measly little single disc converter slip at all no matter what i do. I completely trashed my stock trans within 5,000 miles treating it alot nicer than my dtt trans. How many DTT trany owners have had problems?Maybe somebody should take a poll.



Kurt

Kirk can you take the converter to 1500 or 1500 in lockup , or say that you are slowing down with a trailer in tow from 70 to what ever the speed is with 4. 10 gears to 1550 an stand on the throttle in lockup . Or do you shift to a different gear, or unlock before that happens? I wont a convertor that can do that and hold if I wont to. With 4. 10 gears that would be different that the 3. 54 that I have. That is one way to test it that I know of. Would your warranty cover that type of use if it was new? I have read that you have never had a problem, What is the least warranty that you would go for in time or do you fell that the products is so good that you don't need much warranty? Which is harder on a transmission drag racing( full throttle or pressure) or towing a heavy load? Which is harder on a transmission, light throttle or heavy throttle? Which is harder on fuel economy, light throttle or heavy throttle? I like to make my dollar go as far as It can, so I may need to change my ideas if there is a better way to to use my truck. Good mileage and not using up the power train. Thanks for any insight jimk

 

[JoshPeters]

Jim... . Give Goerends a call. IMHO they have the best warranty out there for converters.





Josh

 

[propuller]

Re: information

Originally posted by jimk

Kirk can you take the converter to 1500 or 1500 in lockup , or say that you are slowing down with a trailer in tow from 70 to what ever the speed is with 4. 10 gears to 1550 an stand on the throttle in lockup . Or do you shift to a different gear, or unlock before that happens? I wont a convertor that can do that and hold if I wont to. With 4. 10 gears that would be different that the 3. 54 that I have. That is one way to test it that I know of. Would your warranty cover that type of use if it was new? I have read that you have never had a problem, What is the least warranty that you would go for in time or do you fell that the products is so good that you don't need much warranty? Which is harder on a transmission drag racing( full throttle or pressure) or towing a heavy load? Which is harder on a transmission, light throttle or heavy throttle? Which is harder on fuel economy, light throttle or heavy throttle? I like to make my dollar go as far as It can, so I may need to change my ideas if there is a better way to to use my truck. Good mileage and not using up the power train. Thanks for any insight jimk

I have been very aggressive during accelaration on more than one ocassion while towing 12,000 lbs. Two weeks ago we were coming on to the interstate & the traffic was very heavy & nobody was letting me in i had to either pull off the shoulder & wait or i had to go for a small opening that was closing fast. By now im getting a little pi***d off so i stood on it & went for the opening & made it with no problem this was in 3rd gear locked. Keep in mind my truck makes 530 horse with my box off & i am very alert while driving my truck & i listen & feel for anything unusual & i have never noticed any signs of the trans slipping or excessive heat or anything wrong at all. I have also towed for miles & miles at 1500 rpm still no problems. This trans has approx 20 trips down a pulling track & still no problems. Maybe im just lucky but i think that good luck is also made with alot of hard work & the building of a quality product. As far as warranty goes i cant comment on warranty cause i have had no problems. As far as im concerned if you buy a quality product it doesnt need a warranty because you wont need it anyway. I wish you lived closer to me because i would let you drive my truck loaded & unloaded & i think you would make up your mind real quick. That is what i did with my dad & needless to say his 97 12 valve has a DTT trans also & its hooked to a 36 ft Holiday Rambler all the time. You cant go wrong with DTT. Sorry so long.



Kurt

 

[tractorface]

M two cents

I am still on my stock trans because I like to wait on all the new goodies these guys are developing all the time. Anyway I think the original question is somewhat misleading and a lot of follow up posts failed to address the missing part so... ... ... ..... unless I am mistaken DTT will not just sell a TC, they insist on addressing the whole system. With that important piece of information the question becomes what are the differences in the different setups. I think Goerand Bros. builts both single disc and triple disk units. I would like to know more about how each drives or are they similar? From what I gather on this site DTT has a unique transmission, unlike anyone else's while most of the rest are very similar at least in design. My future choice keeps flipping between Goerands and DTT, so I very much would like to hear more about each one's driving ability. I doubt I will ever make enough power to break either. I eliminated ATS after talking to the local installer Talking to Goerand's or DTT is quite impressive

 

[JoshPeters]

Alot depends on what you are looking for. DTT has a great trans... I won't argue that.



I went bang for buck. Goerends shifts smooth, but crisp. I honestly think the best bet is to go for a ride in trucks with each if you can.





Josh

 

[banshee]

An ATS triple lok equipped truck won the Muncie street class SLED pull.

And they finished 2nd & 3rd at Stanford behind a stick. It seems they must be doing something right.

 

[ZR600]

I have one of Gorenend's, new triple disk converters. It has a brand new stator, not a milled stator and a trip disk lock up. This coverter is very tight on a stock 12 valver. I wanted it this way as I plan on adding power very soon. This is a very nice converter and Dave and his guys are very helpfull. I had mine installed and it took around 3 hours and I was on my way back home. The converter starts to get tight around 1250 and is very tight by 1700 RPM. A lifetime warentee to boot. I just wish I would have had them do it the first time I did it. You won't regret this coverter as I did my first so called "heavy duty" converter... ... ... ..... Brian