What is a laminated flexplate made of?

[Allnew2Me]

I am going to upgrade my 47RE and am looking at flexplates. I have seen the billet plates and the laminated plates and wonder what exactly is a laminated plate? How does it compare with the billets as far as strength? Thanks for the info.

 

[Cummins Thunder]

A laminated plate, consists of, a whole flexplate with the center of another flex plate welded to the center of the whole plate.



A billet plate, consists of, a solid plate machined from a piece of stock.



IMHO, the billet plate is stronger. But it is likely WAY more than you will ever need. A laminated plate should hold anything a 24 valve can produce.

 

[CPittman]

As far as I can tell a laminated plate is simply a stocker with another steel 'web' or center portion welded onto it (laminated - another 'layer') to make the drive area thicker.



Go to the SunCoastConverters.com, drag down to "Flex Plates" - they sell a laminated plate.



Here's the link to SunCoast...

 

[Allnew2Me]

I was actually looking at the Suncoast plate and thought it looked a lot like a stock plate. I wonder how much stronger it is than a stock plate. I trying to decide between the billet and the laminated. Do you guys have any idea how much torque they would be able to safely handle? i would like to build my transmission once but also don't wish to spend more than I reasonably will have a need for.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

man, just get a billet one and don't ever think about it again

 

[Cummins Thunder]

man, just get a billet one and don't ever think about it again

I agree. I am goin ATS(flexplate) for my trans rebuild (brought on by a broken input).

 

[Allnew2Me]

I spoke with Suncoast today and they told me that the laminated plate was a stock plate with another center section welded in for twice the strength rating. They build it themselves and it is fully SFI rated. Thanks for all the info.