so I finally broke down (didn't have much choice) and am having my transmission rebuilt. I am getting an upgraded valve body. Not sure what other upgrades I need (it will never be a race truck,at most your usual upgrades tuner, breath better, etc). So that would be my first question, what other upgrades would i need on the transmission?
Also I saved a little more than needed, about $400 extra to spend. I have heard the SCT will not do much without other mods first, is this the case? If so that solves my questions and I'll just do a some breathing upgrades to it. Unless there are some other transmission mods I should do. Keep in mind I'll probably never have more 250 or so hp with the typical upgrades such as breathing in and out, timing chain, tuner.

 

Go for a better quality torque converter than just a stock replacement. Extra clutches and steels in the trans? five pinion planetary gearset? (stock I think is three.... maybe four....) Sonnax sure cure. (instead of 'upgraded valve body')

 

thanks for the quick reply HeyYou. I'm a total transmission idiot and don't know much about them. Can you explain why you suggest what you do for the "normal" daily driver like me?

 

Upgrade on planetary set is from 4 to 6 gears.



High temp frictions, and out additional frictions and steels in direct drum, deep tranny pan, and cooler.

 

Makes the trans heavier duty. They were weak for the purposes from the factory. Spend a bit more now, and don't have to worry about it again for 150,000 miles or so.

Sonnax sure cure solves a few of the more esoteric issues these tranny's have. TCC shudder, not charging the torque converter when in park, (yes, you will be able to check trans fluid in PARK!)

Stock torque converters are one of the weakest points on these transmissions. (close race with the O/D unit....) One of the leading causes of necessary trans rebuilds is the torque converter disintegrating internally, and spreading crap thru the rest of the trans. A stock replacement pretty much assures that will happen again. (not to mention knocking the 'useful' life of the trans back down to around 50,000 miles, if you are unlucky.) Going for a better quality unit eliminates that weak point.

Basically, auto tranny's wear out. So, putting in heavy duty components, even if you don't use your truck AS a truck, extends its life dramatically.

My take on it? There is NO kill like OverKill.

 

The good news is I called this morning and asked about the torque converter and the sure cure. He said I was already getting a step up torque converter due to them being weak and I wasn't getting a Sonax sure cure but the same thing different brand.
My brother and uncle have both had work done there and my dad knows the guy, so hopefully I can trust that is truly what I'm getting. Should have truck back Weds or Thurs. Thanks for the help once again guys! I'll let you know how it goes...

 

Another useless thread title. May turn out to be some good info in this thread, but who will ever know? LOL

 

I know that I sometimes do not read threads with topics that appear to be of no interedt to me, but even worse, makes searching even more difficult when someone is looking for information. Wish there was a way to MAKE users put nfo in sig AND go through a tutorial on naming threads and other useful info....imho.....