Which Valve Body or Kit Works Best?

[ctdodgeram]

SSSOOOOOO much stuff out there. I am mildly BOMBED, and I am getting concerned about the transmission. It seems to work okay now, so I want to do something before. I may put some injectors in later, but I think that will be it?(See Sig). No more greenbacks!

What is the best "Bang for Buck"?

I am not pulling any weight 97% of time. Other 3%, 34' 5'er @10K.

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1998. 5 3500, Q/C, ISB, 4x4, Blue Box, 40% Helped, guaged-out, chrome everywhere, 5" BIG Tip, Westin, Autometer, Covercraft, Big Ram

 

[Andy Sebek]

Hi Mark,
I agree with you in saying there is sooooo much stuff out there. There are a few different automatic transmission set-ups out there to choose from.
My suggestion would be to give Bill Kondolay at Diesel Transmission Technology a call. He offers a great torque converter/valve body setup that is not "One Size Fits All". You tell him how you use your truck and he sets up the valve body accordingly. Bill is a great guy, give him a call. www.dieseltrans.com

Best of luck...

 

[csutton7]

ditto on what Andy said---chris

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chris sutton
1999 2500 qcab longbed 4x4 red sport w/ all the options 'cept plow pkg, 4:10 detroit locker in rear & front ARB,
5" skyjacker lift w/ 35" BFG mud terrains on 16. 5x9. 75 Weld rims, black nerf bars, black bug persuader, black lumber rack,
camel leather int. w/ mb quartz spkrs and 8" sub, power edge EZ, DTT vb & tc, mag hy-tec transmission pan, red magview diff covers &
coming soon: 275 injectors, red L&L ladder bars, turbo temp monitor & guages on "A" pillar

 

[BLACKRAM]

DTT

 

[Mopar-muscle]

mark , call bill , if you want later this month i will be getting together with a couple other guys in southern mass near frankiln for a little test drive session before we do a convertor swap in my ram , your welcome to drop by and take a ride in our rams , driving 2 different types of products is a good way to see whats out there .

 

[ctdodgeram]

Mopar muscle,

That would be great. Franklin is about 1 1/4 hours from me. Interestingly enough, I have been thinking about a converter. You said swap? From 1 truck to the other? Or 2 new converters?

My e-mail is steakfamily5@earthlink.net

Let me know, I am very interested.

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1998. 5 3500, Q/C, ISB, 4x4, Blue Box, 40% Helped, guaged-out, chrome everywhere, 5" BIG Tip, Westin, Autometer, Covercraft, Big Ram

 

[Ram_Kowboy]

I am using the BD valve body. I have had it in now for about 60k miles. Love it.

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98 Properly Valved 4x4 SWB QC ISB A/T Metallic Red w/ tan cloth interior, DC nerf bars, DC two piece mud-flaps, 275 h. p. injectors, Monroe Gas Magnums, Armor Tuff spray in bed liner, Goodyear Wrangler ATS 285/75r/16, BD Heavy Duty Valve body. Walker 21468 thru flow muffler,Cobra 29 NWST CB. American Racing Wheels. Power Edge EZ control module.

 

[Moto]

Before you buy talk to Tony at the Trans Shop in El Monte Ca. He also has Dun-rite Torque Converters. He has a link on this sight. From what I understand a lot of the reserch in other valve bodies came from his brain. I have his whole power puller trany $2600 and so far so good.

 

[Guest00]

DTT

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2K, 2500, Laramie, Quad, 4x4, 3:54LSD, A/T, reese 15k 5th slider, EASLEY BULL BAR, WESTIN NERFS, TA's, 9000's, DD2's, Bully Dog Boost & elbow, ISSPRO pyro & boost, Turbo Lifesaver, JARDINE 4", DTT VB,TC,TC SAVER and AUX COOLER, PAC BRAKE, MAG HYTECH TP& DC, onboard.
pullee #1 26' Arctic Fox 5th
#2 22' car hauler w/ 76 Pinto 392cid or 68 Cyclone GT Cobra Jet FB
NRA-LIFE, VFW-LIFE, SOC-LIFE, SASS

 

[John]

I HAD BD transmission components (BD V10/Cummins hybrid TC, BD modified VB, BD modified front transmission pump, BD PressureLoc and BD TorqLoc) before having Bill Kondolay install his DTT components in my Ram last month. What a difference! As it stands now, the only BD transmission component that is a keeper is the modified front transmission pump... and Bill enhanced that too while he was in my transmission. I will be adding the DTT Smart Controller to replace my BD TorqLoc in the near future.

During the week prior to my arrival at DTT (Abbottsford, BC) Bill installed their 93% efficiency TC in his Ram along with tweaking the VB in such a way that I had expressed interest in... now how in the he!! can you beat that kind of customer service? After driving Bill's Ram I test drove a DTT customers Ram equipped with their 91% TC and "livestock" VB. That combination would not be objectionable to anyone! Excellent performance and smooth shifts. Me, I took the Tim Allen approach... I had to have the nastiest of the nasty. #ad
What can I say, I've had this combination in for over a month now and even though the "honeymoon is over" I'm still ecstatic at the decision I made and the performance delivered by the DTT components. Just in case I wasn't completely satisfied with my choice in component selection, Bill offered to replace (in the case of the TC) or modify (in the case of the VB) my DTT components to make sure my satisfaction was maintained. Without going into lengthy details, I have NEVER been treated by a vendor (automotive or otherwise) better than Bill and DTT treated me. Never!

I new friend and fellow NW BOMBer (but not YET a TDR member) just had DTT install their 91% TC and "medium" VB in his '97 modified 12v Ram last week. I met with him on Saturday and I don't think he quit smiling the entire time! He was that ecstatic with his "new" transmission. #ad
How can you top that?

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John Treibel
'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4 Sport, Glasstite Vision II, 285 BFG A/Ts on M/T Challengers, Warn 4X Boards, Mopar fender flares & tow hooks, NW Custom s/s-rubber mud flaps and accs. , Mag-Hytec diff. cover & trans. pan, Edelbrock IAS shocks, Reese Titan V hitch, SPA gauges (3), Dynamat, '00 Sport grille and headlights/PIAA Super White bulbs, PIAA Dual Sport 900 aux. lights, BD exh. brake, Amsoil Dual Remote Bypass, Optima Yellow Tops, DD3s/DD Boost Module, Aeroquip AQP braided s/s fuel hoses, Banks High-Ram intake manifold and 14 cm2 turbine housing w/Big Head wastegate actuator, ATS 3-piece exh. man. , Banks 4" dia. s/s exh. sys. , DTT 93% TC, DTT custom tuned VB, BD modified trans. front pump (enhanced by DTT), Air Bulldog induction hood (with NACA ducts), plus MANY other trick modifications

 

[Bill Kondolay]

I just read the post by "jaybo" to Bill and all he could do was laugh. He will be posting with more detail later. For those of you that want an opinion from somebody else, contact: Lawrence at Diesel Dynamics, as he has had the opportunity to try both our TC, and Dunrite's with the mystery switch.

Stefan Kondolay
Diesel Transmission Technology

 

[Mark@TST Products]

TST tests all major brand performance kits and tranmission kits for Rams. Only one brand works well with all horsepower and torque ranges from stock to fully bombed. The Dunrite converters and Transbutty valve body kits perform perfectly from stock power to 200 hp above stock. The others require matching to power to work. If you are considering variable power kits like the TST PowerMax Ten power level, the Dunrite and Transbutty are the only transmission reworks to consider.

 

[Waterpete]

I second the post by Mark @ TST. I have tried a few TC's and find that Tony's (Dunrite) is the right one for me. I have lots of power and weigh 20,000lbs. Tony gives great service and a great product.

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[John]

..... maybe Bill could elaborate on how many dissatisfied Dunrite owners he has sold DTT TCs and VBs to. I have had email correspondence with several Cummins Rammers that have driven Dunrite equipped Rams that have also driven DTT equipped Rams... they now are DTT customers.

..... bottom line; if you have the ability to experience both (or more) by all means do so, making your selection based on your own findings. Me, I've driven MANY different modified auto equipped Rams and my DTT setup is far and away better than anything else I've experienced.

 

[jaybo]

Hi folks,
I have met and talked extensively with Bill Kondolay, Tony Garcin, and Piers Harry. I also sell a lockup switch kit (see below).
I personally installed a Transgo TFOD within
two weeks of delivery of my 1999 truck. Bill helped me out (he worked for BD then) by sending a couple of checkballs I lost and with tech support on the phone. My line pressures went up and the kit was satisfactory until the truck went over 300 hp when the OD clutches began to slip when towing on a steep grade. I already had installed a suncoast converter (which I like) and started talking to Tony Garcin. Tony has been building TC'c and bodies for 20 years or more and is far more experienced than Bill. I worked with Tony and tried 3 or 4 different valve bodies. Tony's bodies are hydraulically operated. They increase pressure sooner but do not have peak pressures over 130 psi in forward gears. This cured the OD slippage problem. Furthermore Tony's valve bodies require nothing more than a lockup switch to operate. There are no codes under any condition (my truck dynos at 340 hp). The nice part is as soon as the load is rolling at 5-7 mph, lock up and enjoy smooth no intervention shifting through all gears even at full throttle. The body unnoticeably unlocks during all shifts and relocks. The tc can stay locked during a complete decelleration as well, down shifting to 3rd as the shift lever is moved to '2' and then automatically to second at 32 mph, and finally to first whenever you move the lever to 1st. This provides smooth exhaust braking while locked in any gear. Also included is the passing feature: When locked in OD the truck is floored, the truck unlocks, shifts to 3rd, relocks, and when you ease off the process is reversed back to OD. All without touching the lockup switch, which of course remains on. When off the truck behaves as stock. Since this is all done hydraulically no add-on electronic boxes, torq-lock levers, and other gizmos are required, other than my lockup switch kit. There are never any check engine light problems (my truck is a CARB model). I tow 10,000lbs a lot on the highway and having 'tried them all' (I have driven Kondolay's setup too) I will not have anything else than a Dunrite converter setup.
It is the final solution. My suncoast converter is great but probably a bit too massive. Both Bill and Tony make fine tc's but Tony has much more experience. The tc you buy needs to match your hp range. Too close a coupling makes you ride the brakes all the time and overheats the fluid. Too loose every bomber already understands. Enjoy.

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Jay Bennett Jay Bennett's Home Page

 

[Bill Kondolay]

Mr. Bennet or Margarita man as my wife refers to you as.

WOW ! If I didn’t know you were serious I would be sure you are messin with me.

After reading your post I can only assume that this transmission knowledge you are sharing is coming from your customer Tony from Dunrite, i believe you stated that you build tc lock up devices for him.

To say I disagree with your concepts would be the understatement of this millenium.

As you stated in your post Tony has many years of transmission experience, certainly enough to know the difference between constructive and destructive transmission components, so i can assume one of two things from your post.

1. You either did not fully comprehend the consequences of doing as Tony suggests or the destruction that manifests itself using the device you are promoting OR

2. BOTH you and Tony don’t give a **** about the customer once he has purchased these products and use them and his transmission packs it in.

Either way, i don’t intend to get into it with you as you are free to express your opinion on my qualifications or products as you see fit.

They have always spoken for themselves, as do my customers even though the majority of them are bashful and have nothing to say.

What I will say is this, Tony ran away from me in Tulare by refusing to answer some basic questions, he danced all around the issues, so i got disgusted and left, he was singing the same old marketing song and dance. He didn’t want to play that day so maybe he will come out another day.

Please don’t confuse my attempt at humor with not caring about the hell these Ram owners have been put through for so many years with these cheap inferior built converters masquerading as premier products. It still appalls me that the automatic transmissions in these Dodges have been given such a bad rap. I don’t care if I have to personally shame this industry’s tc manufactures into admitting that the cheaply milled stator converters they so proudly have been selling , and are still are , and the lock up devices they require to make them work properly under acceleration is the cause of so many transmission failures.

At May Madness i look forward to speaking with Tony from Dunrite, BD Reps, Suncoast Reps, whoever as i believe we are all scheduled to participate in the forum. I am sure Joe will correct me if i am wrong.

As long as consumers are told the dangers and pit falls they will encounter by using these products and are aware of the consequences, it is a free country and there are many choices out there for them to make.

If Tony has been around as long as you say, he will have heard of ODELL BROWN my mentor. The most important thing he taught me was to think about the cause of a problem, and just fix it.

No excuses just fix it. I may not know where the spark plugs are in the Diesel, but believe me when i say this I know transmissions, however, I did listen to the Dodge ram owners and their frustrations with their tc’s , their experiences were real, and their frustrations understandable , and totally unnecessary.

I just thank god Odel taught me how to really listen because I heard right through their words.

No offence Jay, but after the “too close coupling remark”, I think its best if I take up the technical issues i have with your concepts and products with Tony in May, I feel it will be a more constructive conversation.

Bill Kondolay
Diesel Transmission Technology

 

[Bill Kondolay]

Mark,

Let me personally welcome you to the TDR where the truth is encouraged.

It has been some time since we last corresponded. I was kicked off the TST website for informing consumers that the Jr. Transgo shift kit was dangerous as the kit lowered the line pressures on the Dodge valve body if the kit was used as instructed.

I’m sure glad I wasn’t one of the consumers unfortunate enough to have purchased that tested product.

It is interesting that you appeared on this thread as I am on my way to Texas to do a seminar with an ex TST /Dunrite dealer, James Northum and his customers.

When James found out that at DTT we transferred the power the power in fluid coupling rather than in lockup he was immediately interested in trying our products. Once he tried our tc he asked me to come down here and teach this seminar. He knows from his testing that in fluid coupling that we were generating 100 DEGREES LESS HEAT under load than the Dunrite converter.

I just left Lawrence from Diesel Dynamics and he too is no longer a Dunrite dealer as he found the Dunrite tc could not transfer the Cummins power without lock up devices and as he explains he and his customers found out the hard way the damages these devices cause.

They know that DTT tc’s safely and effectively transfers the power of the Cummins in fluid coupling.

Mark these are very interesting times in the Diesel Industry , it is high time we the manufactures be held accountable.

Mark, I suggest you check your statements.

Consider this, if the standard clutch in the 5 & 6 speed transmission cannot handle the power of the Cummins, do you honestly expect the consumers to believe that their automatic torque converter clutch lining will hold up to the power of the Cummins.

Jaybo, Mark, Tony, why don’t you guys start putting your money where your mouth is?

I have a list of guys that would like to talk to you about getting their money back as they faithfully purchased and used these lock up devices according to your instructions .

I maintain that using lockup devices for hard acceleration and full throttle will destroy your tc and your automatic transmission.

I want to thank Ccpusher (Fred Swanson) for hooking up my laptop so I could see what was going on.


I am so looking forward to May Madness.

Bill Kondolay
Diesel Transmission Technology




[This message has been edited by Bill Kondolay (edited 02-14-2001). ]

 

[jaybo]

Hey Bill, looks like I touched a nerve...
If your going to bad-mouth me at least spell
my name right, that's BENNETT, thank you and
I'll be happy to serve you and your wife
diesel margaritas anytime... .

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Jay Bennett Jay Bennett's Home Page

 

[Bill Kondolay]

Jay,
Im afraid i goofed, Bill is in charge of technical and i'm in charge of spelling. Im probably fired now(lol).
Sorry about the mis-spelled name.

PS,

About the nerve thing,i have dibs on his nerve, you keep your hands to yourself. #ad


Shanti Kondolay

 

[mikel]

My hard-earned cash is going to Bill K. at DTT.

Mike

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'99 QC 2500 SLT Driftwood 2wd SB 24v Auto 3. 55 LSD
ISSPRO boost and pyrometer, Pipe BOMB, 24,000 miles 2-12-00
-- email address removed --
Howdy Agg's!