Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) TST #5 Plate in 94 Auto

[Howard Durand]

I just purchased a TST #5 plate through the classifieds and am wondering what can I expect and what should I do when I put it in my 94 auto.

It currently has the plate that was included in the Banks Power Pak.

Is it going to be too hot for my poor little old 160 pump?

Any good advice will be appreciated.

 

[jeff95]

I run the #4 plate and it works just fine. See below for mods.

 

[Howard Durand]

Not much response on the question but I did get the plate in and am fairly pleased with the results.

It is in stock position with the cover fully forward and the AFC wheel back in stock position.

Nice response from dead stop to wide open and very little smoke.

Haven't pulled the trailer yet. Trailer season is about over here so may have to wait till spring to find out about that.

 

[Blackcloud]

Good luck with your torque converter.....

 

[Howard Durand]

That sounds ominous...

I have heard that some of BD's early TC's have had problems but, so far, mine has worked fine.

Probably because my trailer is only about 7,000# and the valve body does shift very positively.

 

[Joe G.]

If you tow with your TCC locked up watch your EGT and your tach. You have enuff power to slip the TCC pretty easy. I keep it unlocked to pull steep grades on mine.

 

[Howard Durand]

Joe,



Thanks for the response.



Most of the steep grades I have encountered are on Interstate 90 between Spokane and eastern Wyoming.

Namely, 4th of July pass in Idaho, Lookout pass going into Montana and crossing the divide east of Butte.

I start into most of those hills with everything normal, both OD and TC allowed to do what the truck wants. If the hill is steep it will shift down then I'll lock out the OD and still let it control the TC.

If rpm is falling off and egt is getting high, I unlock the TC which leaves me in 3rd and no lockup. At the top of the hill I'll lock the TC and engage the exhaust brake for the downhill run.



Now, with the #5 plate in, this may change. It will be interesting towing that road next Spring.



I see you have the DTT TC and valve body combination. Which configuration do you have and how does it perform for you?

I have heard nothing but good about them.



Howard

 

[Joe G.]

My combination works very well. I recently added 370 injectors. That changed things a bit. If I have it locked up in OD using cruise control I have noticed that on steep grades the RPM will go up so I know that the TCC was slipping. I unlock it when I see that. EGT is ok unless the grade is really steep. I went north from Boise on US95 a couple of weeks ago towing my 7500 lb (probably 8000 with all the stuff we had) travel trailer. Things got out of hand quick on White Bird Grade. I pulled it in 3rd with the TCC unlocked. EGT got up to 1300 and I had to lift a little. Engine temp was close to 230 also. Most grades are not nearly that bad.

 

[Howard Durand]

Thanks Joe,



Sometimes I get a sort of death wish for this transmission but it has done so well for me that I can't justify replacing it.

I really would like to upgrade it with one of the newer TCs but I don't think the bank account could stand that.

I have heard of White Bird Grade but never been there. About 60 years ago, my Mother and a Cousin traveled out to this country from Nebraska and, as I recall, White Bird Hill was one of their more memorable peices of road.



I am not sure what I would have to do with my 160 pump to get enough fueling to slip the TC. It would probably need different delivery valves to get much more than I am getting now.

The 215 injectors are probably optimum for the way it is.