Upgrading the 48RE!

[ChrisKringle]

Well I've talked to all the big names.



Money hungries want me to 'rebuild' and invest (if you can call it that) in HD parts--billet shafts, more frictions, flex plates, billet servo, billet piston, solid 2nd gear strap, accumulator, etc.



I've been told straight up there isn't anything wrong with the 48RE. With only 30K miles it would be a waste to do a 'rebuild' with 2nd gear band, new/more direct and overdrive clutches, servo, piston, etc.



Suncoast told me: torque converter, valve body, laminated flex plate, and billet input shaft for the intended horse power. Sounds reasonable.



Other info I've 'heard', flexplate and input probably won't fail unless your gettin' crazy.









I'm convinced (unless YOU tell me otherwise), for this SIMPLE transmission, I'll live a happy life with a $500 TCS (same design as DTT--89, 91%, etc. ) converter, $450 valve body (raise line pressure to around 175 psi for holding power), a 3. 8 ratio shift lever (to lower apply pressure to 2nd band), and that's about it.



Toss in around $500 to remove and install at a local shop and I save about $3-4000 depending on what 'Top End' company you go with. That's enough dough to remove and install the transmission 6-8 times IF you ever had probs.



Well needless to say, with the small fortune I'm saving, I just ordered a HTB2 Turbo from HTT and STILL have change to put toward an SRT-10 hood!



By the way, talked to Dave at Goerend Bros. transmission and he is a very informative/nice guy. He offers a LIFETIME! warrantied triple disk configuration converter with billet cover for $1200! You can upgrade to a '1020' sled puller stator for $400 which GETS THE POWER TO THE GROUND! It's a tight converter very efficient from what I gather. Says it will start the truck moving in a power brake at about 1750 rpm's.



I would love to run this converter more that anything, but at three times the cost of a TCS-DTT it's not a viable option for me at this time. Hell, I work for my money and I still have gauges, wheels, tires flares, subs, bed liner, FASS, injectors, hood, lift, etc. to worry about.











Morale of the story: Just say no to Performance Chips of Utah, err, I mean transmission upgrades aren't the end of the world and you don't have to take out a second mortage to cover the job. Hell I'd do the job myself, but hate crawling around under a vehicle without a truck lift.

 

[DRAG DIESEL]

Are you ok? Feel better getting all of that out concidering you just bashed almost every trans vendor out there. :-{} Glad you got it out of you system though :{

 

[DRAG DIESEL]

also... NEWSFLASH... . if you tell a trans builder that you throw ungodly amount of power at the unit, they will want you to buy the products that it takes to make it hold up. After all the VENDORS name is on it, not yours. I don't know why your post struck me sideways, probly just cause you sound pretty tuff (behind that keyboard). Why don't you tell the lovely readers what you said word for word to each of the vendors?

 

[RAndrae]

NO guages??

Did I read right???? No guages yet crazy

 

[GFrance]

To each his own. I'm very happy with the $$$ I spent at DTT & would do it again in a heart beat. Hope all works out for you with your inexpensive upgrade.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

who lists gauges in their sig?

 

[Fred Swanson]

Make your choice, but please don't bash the vendors for advising you with the parts necessary to allow your transmission to perform as expected for a long time. The trend for most people, once they start adding power, they keep going. So build the transmission once, and do it right.

Most people would rather not have to pull their transmission out multiple times for issues/breakage. But, to each his own.



Good luck with your choice, and hope it works for you.

 

[ChrisKringle]

also... NEWSFLASH... . if you tell a trans builder that you throw ungodly amount of power at the unit, they will want you to buy the products that it takes to make it hold up. After all the VENDORS name is on it, not yours. I don't know why your post struck me sideways, probly just cause you sound pretty tuff (behind that keyboard). Why don't you tell the lovely readers what you said word for word to each of the vendors?

What are you talking about? I'm just trying to get some info. on what's going to work. No need to resort to the primitive intrinsic (look that up if ya have to) neanderthal who resides in every strand of our DNA, With intellegent decisions, thoughfulness, and education, he can be subdued to eradicate many of modern mans woeful and deplorable behavioral shortcomings.



Anyhow ya'll, yeeeehhaaawww! Get 'er done!!!!!!!



On a serious note, didn't mean to get ya all 'riled' up on a friday night, guess I should have concocted my essay with an interrogatory undertone, opposed to the current format.

also... NEWSFLASH... . if you tell a trans builder that you throw ungodly amount of power at the unit, they will want you to buy the products that it takes to make it hold up. After all the VENDORS name is on it, not yours. I don't know why your post struck me sideways, probly just cause you sound pretty tuff (behind that keyboard). Why don't you tell the lovely readers what you said word for word to each of the vendors?

Yeah, this keyboard does make me tough, wish I could say the same for you. What did I say to the vendors????????????????????????????????



I've called a few places to humble my inquisition, but that's the extent. I've been nothing but courtious and respectful.



I appologize if I offended anyone, guess brand loyalty is nothin' to mess with. I will see if I can remove any brand name right now. So does anybody have anything constructive, maybe some neighborly advice on rebuilding the 48RE?

 

[Beast2B]

I got me a stick shift, so I can't help with the rebuild part. I'm a control freak!

My only comment would be along the lines of most vendor's CYA attitude. I've read too many posts and heard too many stories where someone underbuilds a trans (or engine or axle or ???) and breaks something only to bad-mouth the vendor. I think the vendors have the right to suggest what they think will work, and the responsibility to make us aware of repercussions of our decisions. No one wants you to build your trans twice or spend more $ than necessary, even the vendors. EVERYONE would rather see you build the trans for more than you need now, and hopefully it's stout enough for any future considerations.

 

[ChrisKringle]

That's a good point. Bad mouthing has it's place for bad companies. All the companies I've talked to are reputable. If one does a TC and VB and the second gear band goes, or you burn up some clutch pack, or the servo goes, well then yeah, that's my fault. I wouldn't even call the TC or VB company.



Anybody running just a TC and VB out there and have zero problems?

 

[Beast2B]

Do you have any issues stacking all of those boxes? Amazing how easy it is to get HP from the 3rd gen trucks! How far are you gonna take it, 500hp? Seems like the TC/VB is stout and common up to the low-400's unless you're seriously abusing the equipment - drag racing, sled pulling, etc.

 

[DRAG DIESEL]

Yeah, this keyboard does make me tough, wish I could say the same for you. What did I say to the vendors????????????????????????????????

Morale of the story: Just say no to Performance Chips of Utah

Bash me all you want, I am not the one who has to edit my posts after the fact, to make them say what I want.

 

[ChrisKringle]

Do you have any issues stacking all of those boxes? Amazing how easy it is to get HP from the 3rd gen trucks! How far are you gonna take it, 500hp? Seems like the TC/VB is stout and common up to the low-400's unless you're seriously abusing the equipment - drag racing, sled pulling, etc.

No issues whatsoever stacking the boxes! Runs soooo good, seriously! Bullydog downloader on 130 hp setting, TST on 2 x 2, and a 85 hp Dr. P fuel pressure box on runs smoooth! I just upgraded the downloader to the new 230 hp program (just sent it back, took only a few days). It runs really stong, but doesn't seem stackable with anything. When I bring in the TST it makes a sound like an old rattley 12V (at least what I would imagine) at high throttle. Sounds like it's missing from fuel starvation??



I dynoed my '03 duelly at 413 hp with only injectors and bullydog 110 hp box. On my 04. 5' with the above stack, feels alot stronger. 500 hp? People don't believe, but with a few boxes stacked on a d-max you get 500 hp. It's the high pressure thing... . j



Anyhow, think I'm going to make a decision on transmission by monday. TC, VB, and billet input for now. Looking for a low to moderately low stall converter, so when I up the horsepower it still stalls within reason. Goerend 1020 stator 'pulling' converter is looking really enticing.

 

[ChrisKringle]

Yeah, this keyboard does make me tough, wish I could say the same for you. What did I say to the vendors????????????????????????????????

Morale of the story: Just say no to Performance Chips of Utah

Bash me all you want, I am not the one who has to edit my posts after the fact, to make them say what I want.

I edited my initial post as a courtious gesture for all aftermarket transmission companies. I removed their names.



Hey, no hard feeling. It's all in fun, I'm sure your a cool guy and I'm decent as well so lets just get along OK?

 

[ChrisKringle]

Oh yeah, I did bash Performance Chips of Utah 'cause they installed injectors in my '03 which left me stranded on the road 3 times with 2 gallons of diesel on the oil pan. One time I was 300 miles from home and had to pay like $500 to get it towed home. They did not stand behind their product, and installed it improperly. I paid Cummins like over 2 grand to put all new O. E. M. injector in. Still have the Performance Chips injectors if anyone want to buy them! Drag Diesel you want them?





I will picket the pricks soon as it warms up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



'THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAY RIGHT!' That's the slogan for a diesel shop I would like to open, called none other than 'KICK ***** Diesel! Just so I can provide the level of service I would expect out of any right minded honest MAN! It's an ivestment to do whatever it takes in order to satisfy the customer because the return business you'll receive in the LONG run will be exponential!!!!!!!!! His friend will tell his friend will tell his friend will tell his friend... . simple mathematics says SIR Isaac Newton! Statistical analysis will break it down for ya, ever wonder why you can return anything and everthing to Wal Mart? Keep 'em coming back, and I would dare to say Waly World knows a thing or two about money.

 

[ChrisKringle]

One last afterthough... ... ... ... . Robert at Performance Chips Of Utah is not a good man.





Last thing he said to me was come pick up your truck, don't come in, I don't want to talk to you, keys are in it. Left me white smokin' the whole way home. Oh yeah, his truck has no taste either.



I was a polite concerned consumer the whole time, just told him he needed to get me stock injectors back in and get his money back from the injector honer. That's it.

 

[KKlingbeil]

Chris Kringle,

I dont think i would buy a TCS converter, i put a full rebuild DTT with billet input on jan 10 or 11th i think, with 89% converter. As soon as i got my comp hooked up the converter started slipping. I have been working with bill and jon isaacs(Floor it Diesel) on this problem, and right now i have the third converter and third valve body in the transmission, and i still have the same problem. The TCS converter is having some trouble as all three of the converters in my truck were from the TCS machine shop. Bill has cut open many of their converters to find bad things inside making them cause problems, which is why the split came about. I am not ruling out the that my transmission case could have a crack internaly causing the pressure lose and slippage, but unless tcs is doing something different now, i would be very cautious of buying from them. For a sidenote, Bill is standing behind his product in every possible way, and i have had zero cost other then fuel for the trip to lawerence ks twice. Would i buy from DTT again, without a dout yes, and i would recommend them to anyone as well. The converters that DTT has now are better then the TCS as im pretty sure they changed them somewhat. Also, the 500 dollars sounds pretty good, but you have to pay about 400 to get it to your door as they do not have a warehouse in the US so you have to pay customs charges and shipping, which will add up very quick. Just to clarify, im not telling you who to buy from, and im not trying to bash any other company you are talking with, but i just thought some facts on the TCS converters should be posted. Take it how you want, and good luck in your choices.

 

[ChrisKringle]

Hey thanks for your post, I will definately keep that in mind.

 

[steve marshall]

Chris Kringle,

I dont think i would buy a TCS converter, i put a full rebuild DTT with billet input on jan 10 or 11th i think, with 89% converter. As soon as i got my comp hooked up the converter started slipping. I have been working with bill and jon isaacs(Floor it Diesel) on this problem, and right now i have the third converter and third valve body in the transmission, and i still have the same problem. The TCS converter is having some trouble as all three of the converters in my truck were from the TCS machine shop. Bill has cut open many of their converters to find bad things inside making them cause problems, which is why the split came about. I am not ruling out the that my transmission case could have a crack internaly causing the pressure lose and slippage, but unless tcs is doing something different now, i would be very cautious of buying from them. For a sidenote, Bill is standing behind his product in every possible way, and i have had zero cost other then fuel for the trip to lawerence ks twice. Would i buy from DTT again, without a dout yes, and i would recommend them to anyone as well. The converters that DTT has now are better then the TCS as im pretty sure they changed them somewhat. Also, the 500 dollars sounds pretty good, but you have to pay about 400 to get it to your door as they do not have a warehouse in the US so you have to pay customs charges and shipping, which will add up very quick. Just to clarify, im not telling you who to buy from, and im not trying to bash any other company you are talking with, but i just thought some facts on the TCS converters should be posted. Take it how you want, and good luck in your choices.

Hi Kevin, sorry to hear about your trouble's!

We have not built t/c's for D. T. T. since Dec-15-2004.



hmmm! i wonder if there even our t/c's?????



As for 3 different V. B. and t/c's and the problem is still present, i would really change direction in finding the root cause.

steve marshall

 

[Stefan Kondolay]

Steve right on cue, warranty denied , no issues , install problem, look somewhere else. As I said before you guys can believe what you want, buy what you want, we really, really dont care. We have paid and paid dearly but our customers did not. Bottom line when we trust a company to do a job and they cannot do it properly and deny when they do not, they dont get to do it anymore. Thats all , end of story.