Sonnax Sure Cure time?
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From: Falling Waters, WV
Sonnax Sure Cure time?
Sonnax Sure Cure time or TC? I have Been reading through a lot of trans threads on this one. The 99 1500 I just bought cheap, the PO had the trans rebuilt just under 10k ago. The transmission shifts fine, runs down the road fine, tows fine, gets decent mileage on the hwy, ~16mpg calculating accross a few tanks now. It was put back in with ATF+4. What I do get is the TCC shudder/noise/vibration on light throttle in OD, ~65-70 MPH. Push past it into passing gear and it's fine, let off it's fine and if your only barely hitting the throttle its fine. No MIL yet. I have not popped the MT2500 on it yet to confirm no trans codes. I'm sure this wasnt the highest quality bench job in the world, but it does still shift ok. There is a little bit of shudder on takeoff, but I'm inclined to believe that is more in the 205k LS rear end that was probably never serviced properly by the oil change shop she went to.
Everything I have read leads to the Sonnax kit as the next logical step, especially considering the recent "rebuild". The check valve also appears to be intact, thats the next project, along with the intake repair, and probably a front axle refresh as a seal is just starting to seep. Overall the truck is very clean and in great shape. Motor is great with the excecption of the oil sucking intake plate. It has been maintained well as far as I can tell.
So what say the Mopar gurus here? I'm more of a Ford guy by birth, but not unfamiliar with the Pentastar.
Everything I have read leads to the Sonnax kit as the next logical step, especially considering the recent "rebuild". The check valve also appears to be intact, thats the next project, along with the intake repair, and probably a front axle refresh as a seal is just starting to seep. Overall the truck is very clean and in great shape. Motor is great with the excecption of the oil sucking intake plate. It has been maintained well as far as I can tell.
So what say the Mopar gurus here? I'm more of a Ford guy by birth, but not unfamiliar with the Pentastar.
Last edited by Archion; Oct 12, 2011 at 04:21 PM. Reason: Spelling and content
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From: NH
I'd do the other stuff first. Plenum, o2, check cat for clogging, full tune up with wires routed according to TSB. http://dodgeram.info/tsb/1998/18-48-98/18-48-98-v8.htm
If that doesn't correct the problem, I'd say the TC is more than likely the culprit.
If that doesn't correct the problem, I'd say the TC is more than likely the culprit.
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From: Falling Waters, WV
The Cats, well entire exhaust system, and O2's(NTK) were replaced ~2500 miles ago. Wires and plugs aren't new but not horribly old, and definatley are not routed correctly, they are most definately on the list, ran into that on a friends 5.2L Jeep GC a while back. Spark knocking is minimal.
I'm thinking this is definately in the transmission.undercar area, it occurs when the TC comes out of lockup(~200rpm raise) You can hear the noise from the trans when it occurs with the rear windows popped open and the front closed going down the road. At first I thought it was the rear bearing in the transfer case. Checked that, all was good. I had a thought the TC could be a possibility. The fluid is not burned, smells ok, but I would like it to be brighter for my tastes. The slightly metallic noise I get when it occurs was a bit worrying. A new TC was installed with the build, not sure of the quality used, probably the cheapest available now that I know who did the rebuild. I forgot to mention above, I also adjusted the TV cable a couple clicks firmer and shift points feel a lot better and it is a little harder to make it slip.
I'm thinking this is definately in the transmission.undercar area, it occurs when the TC comes out of lockup(~200rpm raise) You can hear the noise from the trans when it occurs with the rear windows popped open and the front closed going down the road. At first I thought it was the rear bearing in the transfer case. Checked that, all was good. I had a thought the TC could be a possibility. The fluid is not burned, smells ok, but I would like it to be brighter for my tastes. The slightly metallic noise I get when it occurs was a bit worrying. A new TC was installed with the build, not sure of the quality used, probably the cheapest available now that I know who did the rebuild. I forgot to mention above, I also adjusted the TV cable a couple clicks firmer and shift points feel a lot better and it is a little harder to make it slip.
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Joined: May 2008
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From: NH
The Cats, well entire exhaust system, and O2's(NTK) were replaced ~2500 miles ago. Wires and plugs aren't new but not horribly old, and definatley are not routed correctly, they are most definately on the list, ran into that on a friends 5.2L Jeep GC a while back. Spark knocking is minimal.
I'm thinking this is definately in the transmission.undercar area, it occurs when the TC comes out of lockup(~200rpm raise) You can hear the noise from the trans when it occurs with the rear windows popped open and the front closed going down the road. At first I thought it was the rear bearing in the transfer case. Checked that, all was good. I had a thought the TC could be a possibility. The fluid is not burned, smells ok, but I would like it to be brighter for my tastes. The slightly metallic noise I get when it occurs was a bit worrying. A new TC was installed with the build, not sure of the quality used, probably the cheapest available now that I know who did the rebuild. I forgot to mention above, I also adjusted the TV cable a couple clicks firmer and shift points feel a lot better and it is a little harder to make it slip.
I'm thinking this is definately in the transmission.undercar area, it occurs when the TC comes out of lockup(~200rpm raise) You can hear the noise from the trans when it occurs with the rear windows popped open and the front closed going down the road. At first I thought it was the rear bearing in the transfer case. Checked that, all was good. I had a thought the TC could be a possibility. The fluid is not burned, smells ok, but I would like it to be brighter for my tastes. The slightly metallic noise I get when it occurs was a bit worrying. A new TC was installed with the build, not sure of the quality used, probably the cheapest available now that I know who did the rebuild. I forgot to mention above, I also adjusted the TV cable a couple clicks firmer and shift points feel a lot better and it is a little harder to make it slip.
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From: Falling Waters, WV
It's not leaking too badly thankfully, not much oil usage, maybe half a quart over 3000 miles from what I'm told. I've known the PO and the truck for a couple of years. The motor pulls strong, even below 3000 rpm. It was repaired twice at the local dealer, but they only put the gasket in from checking the service history. The Plenum is already ordered, I ordered that first thing when after I got the truck tagged. That will probably be the project 2 weekends from now along with the new t-stat, full tune up and rewire. Luckily the truck is not a daily driver. As an EFI Ford owner, Seafoam is my bestest friend, I keep a few cans in stock and it will be getting a nice dose once the intake is done, Mostly a tinker thing until snow gets here.
Last edited by Archion; Oct 12, 2011 at 04:22 PM.
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Joined: May 2008
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From: NH
It's not leaking too badly thankfully, not much oil usage, maybe half a quart over 3000 miles from what I'm told. I've know the PO for a couple of years. The motor pulls strong, even below 3000 rpm. It was repaired twice at the local dealer, but they only put the gasket in from checking the service history. The Plenum is already ordered, I ordered that first thing when after I got the truck tagged. That will probably be the project 2 weekends from now along with the ful tune up and rewire. Luckily the truck is not a daily driver. As an EFI Ford owner, Seafoam is my bestest friend, I keep a few cans in stock and it will be getting a nice dose once the intake is done, Mostly a tinker thing until snow gets here.
Yea, the Seafoam will help a lot. I'd do it before you change the plenum. This way, the plugs and o2 for instance don't get mucked up after.
