Any one running an ats trans do a lot of pulling? Trying to help out another dodge guy near me. he toasted his stocker 01 2500 pulling a trailer. He is thinking of ats. What are you gettin for mileage ect.

 

another option is the suncoastconverters.com tranny's...

 

Just looking for feedback, any info on anything will help. He just happened to mention ats.

 

I put an ATS Stage 5 Transmission, with billet input shaft, and an ATS 5 Star Torque Converter in my 98 12 Valve Quad Cab 3500 Dualie about the first of July. I already had the "Commander" Lockup Controller. I now have 12,000 miles on it, 90% pulling 6,000-8,000 LB. trailers. I researched the transmission/TQ question as I knew I had problems with the TQ and Trans in the truck when I bought it, and wanted to get a bullet proof setup. The only down side to ATS is the cost. The ATS transmissions and TQ's are expensive, but if you plan on keeping the truck, and are going to tow a lot, they are worth the cost IMHO. If you have the transmission serviced every 15,000 miles at a shop, ATS will warranty the TQ for 150,000 Miles, and the Transmission for 100,000 miles. AST will provide a form, and you must fill out the form, and have the shop sign off on the form and send a copy to ATX, to keep the warranty in force. To me it's worth it.

Ralph

 

How about gear hunting? Does it down shift with a the exhaust brake, or do you have to pull it down with the selector? Does it keep the engine in its torque band. If I remeber right, the stock auto's let 'er rev up to 3000 before shifting.

 

I have the TQ Lockup set at about 35 MPH. I have the #10 Fuel Plate with the Banks Intake and Exhaust, so as long as I keep the power in the 1,400-2,200 range, no problems with shifting. I believe the Truck's computer is set up for about 2,600 RPM, anything over that the torque dropps off fast.

Basicly I need to manually shift out of OD when the RPM drops below 1,300. If I have the Gear Vendor Overdrive enguaged, I need to push the OD button on the end of the shifter to keep things from shuddering when coming to a stop. I really like the ATS setup I have. The milage with an 8,000 lb. trailer on flat ground @ 60 MPH is about 15.0. When I have no load and use the Gear Vendor I get 20.0 @ 65 MPH and 18-19 @ 70-75. Anything over 75, and the mileage really drops off due to the large wetted frontal area of the dualie.

Ralph

 

I hear ya on the mileage, mine gets crap after 65. So with that trans it keeps it in the power band? I've ridden with him before, when he floors it, it gets up to 3000 it quites pulling after the power band (2200), yet it doesn't grab the next gear until it hits 3000.

 

I don't really floor it, because with the setup I have, the Turbo Boost will go over 30 PSI and my guage stops at 30 PSI. I don't want to blow a head gasket or the TC to intake plumbing. I need to get another boost guage, Banks has a new one, that matches mine, that goes to 60 PSI. If the Turbo has the Banks "Big Hat" it relieves at 35 PSI, but I don't want to rusk it until I know what the actual pressure is, as the Turbo pressure relief never engages. My exhaust guage never goes much above 900 Deg. when towing up a grade with an 8,000 Lb. trailer @ 25-30 PSI boost @ 1,500-1,700 RPM. I believe the highest EGT I have ever seen is 1,000 Deg. The pickup is in the Exhaust Manafold ahead of the TC.

As I mentioned in my first post, the ATS Trans and TQ are great but pricy. So far I believe it is worth it. I plan on keeping the truck until the body fall off from old age.

Ralph

 

Fall = falls

 

We'll see what he goes with. He's leaning towards the ats setup. As for blowing headgasket, I don't think thats a problem till you hit 45 psi. Mines boosting to 35 right now.