Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) TST Torque Plate #8 vs. #6

[justinemmons]

my 1997 automatic with no real upgrades needs a little more pep. tst recomends the #8 at 230hp and 605torque. There is also the #6 at 250hp and 635torque and doesnt specify that it will hurt the transmission. Camping season is coming and i would like to cut some time off my travel by being able to get up to speed faster. What do you think?



-Justin

 

[Cosmo]

When I bought my 12-valve I pitched what I was planning on getting, and was told that the #5 would run too hot (but no advice was given as to a better choice). I wound up with a #100 plate and towed a ~14-15k pound trailer without melting anything down.

Before adding any power, slap some gauges on your truck to monitor what's going on. Then start saving for transmission upgrades...

 

[Cosmo]

When I bought my 12-valve I pitched what I was planning on getting, and was told that the #5 would run too hot (but no advice was given as to a better choice). I wound up with a #100 plate and towed a ~14-15k pound trailer without melting anything down.



Before adding any power, slap some gauges on your truck to monitor what's going on. Then start saving for transmission upgrades...

 

[Bob4x4]

600lbft torque is plenty enough to shorten the life of a stock trans if you use it all. stock trans keep it sane

 

[KBurgoyne]

with your air upgrades it will actually have more power than that and your trans would hate you. better just to leave a bit earlier.

 

[NIsaacs]

with your air upgrades it will actually have more power than that

I wouldn't call the K&N filter and prefilter a power upgrade.



Nick

 

[justinemmons]

i was leaning towards the #6 at 250hp. i rarely drive with hp since i hardly push it over 2000rpm in daily driving. is it torque or horsepower that tears up a trans?

 

[toms73novass]

i was leaning towards the #6 at 250hp. i rarely drive with hp since i hardly push it over 2000rpm in daily driving. is it torque or horsepower that tears up a trans?

Torque !!!!

 

[champspa]

unless your gentle with your transmission the torque convertor won't hold up under a #8 never mind a #6 . I had to go to a different convertor

 

[SRay]

Justinemmons: my 1997 used to be auto, I went straight for the #100 plate, adjusted everything for as much fuel as possible. The transmission hated me. It overheated pulling loads, causing engine temp to go up to red as well.

The factory torque converter is terrible. I hated it. My truck was slow, barely can pass a slow moving car in busy traffic.
It was better with more power but will not pull loads well.

My friend's 1998 12v had the #8 plate. It was good. He didn't pull anything. Then he wanted more. Told me to go all fuel, so now he has a #0. Killed the torque converter.

Rebuilt transmission, with upgraded TC, it holds, but not the low end 12v torque. This transmission will blow too if it pulled heavy.

Chrysler didn't do a very good job matching engine to transmission for the 12v trucks. The 1999 and newer have better TC's and do much better to a point.

All that can be done is babying the throttle with at least a #8 plate. It won't hold that power either but it's not as nasty as the #100 or 0.

 

[Cosmo]

I would, at the very least, get a billet torque converter, if you start adding more fuel to it. Eventually you'll need to upgrade clutches, replace seals, and bump the line pressure up a little.

 

[GrantP]

As others have said, #8 or #6 probably isn't going to matter since either is more than a stock trans can handle for any length of time. I installed a #6 in my 97 with roughly 60k on it, before I got to 80k the trans failed and was replaced with a DTT. I don't hot rod much, don't tow anything really heavy either, truth is I'm pretty nice to this truck but the stock trans just can't handle much more power than stock. The DTT rebuild is now 100k+ with the #6 plate in there the whole time and running great (thanks Fred Swanson).

 

[Rich M-37]

I bought a #8 torque plate from TST. I have not installed it yet. My trans was rebuilt at 50,000 miles by Dodge. My truck is a regular cab 4x4 with an automatic trans and 4. 10 gears. I am looking for a little more power towing. I started towing 10,000lbs at 267,000 miles. When I tow I try to tow in OD at 1500 rpm I lock out OD the rpm goes to 2200-2400 rpm. When I crest the hill I go back into OD my speed is 48 mph, my trans temp is 140 degrees, EGT 1100 degrees. I got 14 mpg on my last trip to SC 11mpg on the return, less time in OD due to slow traffic. When I install the plate will the clock start ticking on my transmission?

 

[Bob4x4]

I bought a #8 torque plate from TST. I have not installed it yet. My trans was rebuilt at 50,000 miles by Dodge. My truck is a regular cab 4x4 with an automatic trans and 4. 10 gears. I am looking for a little more power towing. I started towing 10,000lbs at 267,000 miles. When I tow I try to tow in OD at 1500 rpm I lock out OD the rpm goes to 2200-2400 rpm. When I crest the hill I go back into OD my speed is 48 mph, my trans temp is 140 degrees, EGT 1100 degrees. I got 14 mpg on my last trip to SC 11mpg on the return, less time in OD due to slow traffic. When I install the plate will the clock start ticking on my transmission?

Simple answer yes,upgrading t/c and valve body will help prolong it's life

 

[bigtoy]

Get your torque converter upgraded before your add power. I don't care if you your trans is brand new if it is stock it is inadequate. If your going to try to be easy on the trans. Then don't even think about a #6. If you get a real torque converter then I would recommend a #6. That's what I did after my trans upgrade. I love it. It gave me better than I expected results. You won't be sorry!

 

[shoalsgary]

I tried a #100 and ran too hot EGT's. Switched to a #10 and it's about perfect. makes my 96 feel like my previous 03.

 

[shoalsgary]

Clock's already ticking on your transmission. The plate won't make it tick faster, but your foot definitely will!

 

[madmac74]

Ummm nobody run a stick anymore? 5/6 speed?? just sayin....

MAC

 

[SRay]

Madmac74: (raises hand) I do, 5 speed! :-laf

 

[JMcCoy]

Oops error....