The time has come. New trans time.

How they work, how they don't work, and how to fix them

Moderators: Greenleaf, BC847, Richie O

The time has come. New trans time.

Postby cmann250 » Wed May 08, 2013 4:14 pm

Now that I hooked you with a snazzy title...

My faithful 260k+ mile 727 put in its 2 weeks' notice sometime in July of 2012. Fast forward a few months to now and now I have time and money to deal with it. It has towed goosenecks and has been farmer-owned since October of '88, for better or worse. Fast forward to 2010 and I poured 110 +/- horse power into it.

The plan: Find a used 518 and rebuild it to my specs. And then is where I'm not sure where to go from there.

As I sit, I'm at 274hp and 503 lb-ft of torque. My fuel equation is set in stone and my air equation is set in mahogany.

What I know: Power isn't going to change much. I tow frequently and drag (too much) weight.

What I think: I think I like to drag race, although I've yet to go down the track. I think I'll do a shift kit and some valve body tuning.

I already have a Suncoast converter. It's advertised as "stock stall". WTH does that mean? What I think is the stall now is way up there in rpm, far beyond what I see on a regular basis. Would a lower stall make it pull harder sooner?
I refuse to think that I need a billet input. I don't have 300 hp and what are the chances I get a 2wd truck at 5300# to hook up that hard? I'm not committed enough to racing to change apply levers (unless they can help with towing) and I have no clue on extra clutches or different bands.

My priorities, in order, are: 1.) make the trans feel tighter 2.) make it tow better 3.) gain fuel economy and 57.) be faster on the strip

This is a daily driver and trailer hauler first and a toy second, so durability is important. This is the middle ground between stock and high power that nobody seems to talk about. Like every other project of mine, it's on the back burner. I haven't found a 518 yet, but I'm willing to follow leads.

Thoughts?
Caleb, Certified Shade Tree Mechanic Extraordinaire :mrgreen:
The 1stgen.org black sheep

"Whatever!" - Coach Jerry Smith
cmann250
14mm rotor
 
Posts: 4059
Joined: Fri May 20, 2011 5:25 pm
Location: Lafayette, IN

Re: The time has come. New trans time.

Postby dazedandconfused » Wed May 08, 2013 4:21 pm

My thoughts are the 518 sucks lol. Mine could use a rebuild but I'll put that money into my 47RH.
Big Andy
1983 Dodge D150 that has been repowered with a 93 Cummins/518 running gear AKA The Ugly Duck! I would much rather build them then buy them.[
User avatar
dazedandconfused
14mm rotor
 
Posts: 6119
Joined: Thu Apr 05, 2007 6:25 pm
Location: Walton, Kentucky

Re: The time has come. New trans time.

Postby PToombs » Wed May 08, 2013 4:27 pm

Shift kit, have your converter tightened or get a tighter one, and those 2 will help with #3 and 4.
pete

Just enough power to break everything behind the crankshaft.
User avatar
PToombs
14mm rotor
 
Posts: 11367
Joined: Sun Jan 07, 2007 6:13 pm
Location: Syracuse NY. Snow central!
Top

Re: The time has come. New trans time.

Postby cmann250 » Wed May 08, 2013 5:08 pm

dazedandconfused wrote:My thoughts are the 518 sucks lol. Mine could use a rebuild but I'll put that money into my 47RH.

One man's trash...

I've held my tongue for a while, but if you get around to swapping in that 47RH this summer, I would be very interested in your worn out (cheap :mrgreen) 518.

Anyone have an idea how much it costs to tighten up a converter? If that's even what I want...
Caleb, Certified Shade Tree Mechanic Extraordinaire :mrgreen:
The 1stgen.org black sheep

"Whatever!" - Coach Jerry Smith
cmann250
14mm rotor
 
Posts: 4059
Joined: Fri May 20, 2011 5:25 pm
Location: Lafayette, IN
Top

Re: The time has come. New trans time.

Postby dazedandconfused » Wed May 08, 2013 5:15 pm

I'm working on getting ready to order parts. My 518 shifts great and never slips but that loose ass stock converter sucks. It would probably be a night and day difference with a shift kit and good converter. I'll let you know when I swap out.
Big Andy
1983 Dodge D150 that has been repowered with a 93 Cummins/518 running gear AKA The Ugly Duck! I would much rather build them then buy them.[
User avatar
dazedandconfused
14mm rotor
 
Posts: 6119
Joined: Thu Apr 05, 2007 6:25 pm
Location: Walton, Kentucky
Top

Re: The time has come. New trans time.

Postby ellis93 » Wed May 08, 2013 6:52 pm

dazedandconfused wrote:My thoughts are the 518 sucks lol. Mine could use a rebuild but I'll put that money into my 47RH.

THIS ^^^

With the exception of the converter,the rebuild is gonna cost you the same thing....almost the same if not the same parts.
I know,I know.....block plate,starter bla bla bla......you've already did it once why not do it again and have zero regrets. Only this time you could use the pressure switch thing(like I am 8) ) to actuate the lockup and od with toggle switches wired in between. Just food for thought.

On your converter.....google up ptc and check their prices on reworking your core,I've heard lots of good things from folks using them and have ran one I had done for a 700R4.....no complaints and way cheaper than most.
93 D250 ,5 speed,4.11s,k&n autometer tach pyro trans boost guages,GDS 60mm h1c 14cm,honed 5x10,hplp/reg,1/8 timing,M+H M2 fuel pin, tims cooler tubz
User avatar
ellis93
14mm rotor
 
Posts: 7761
Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2010 3:16 pm
Location: lucedale,mississippi
Top

Re: The time has come. New trans time.

Postby BC847 » Wed May 08, 2013 7:04 pm

I have an A518 in my mess . . . . . sorta. :roll:

It does OK.


You say you might drag-race. It's been my experience that, my races are won in the 1st 100' or so. With that, I'm coming off the line hard (build boost to 25psig, and then launch. - That's what busts chit.

I've busted all three shafts with a tighter than the off-the-shelf tight Suncoast NON lock-up converter (W/billet back-plate, billet stator, etc).

Ya gotta pay to play,

- How quick do you want to go? $$$
David

1993 12mm VE Fueled W250 CC, Green
12.67 @ 103.35
Your basic farm truck ;)
BC847
Administrator
 
Posts: 2203
Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2007 5:22 pm
Top

Re: The time has come. New trans time.

Postby Remps » Wed May 08, 2013 7:27 pm

Iirc, it said 200 bucks for tightening a 47rh converter on my trans build reciept.
'90 D250 R/C,727,IC,6x.009's,1/8" bump,fuel psi,straight pipe w/5" stack.
'90 W250 R/C,47rh,K@N,HX35,1/8" bump,2nd gen IC,boost,egt,trans temp.3.07's.
'96 2500 S/C L/B,2wd,NV5600,3.54 L/S,cai,egt,pacbrake,mbrp exhaust,10 plate.
Bring back the Bank of Canada, PRE- 1974.
User avatar
Remps
14mm rotor
 
Posts: 1128
Joined: Sun May 03, 2009 12:57 am
Location: Saskatchewan
Top

Re: The time has come. New trans time.

Postby cmann250 » Thu May 09, 2013 5:38 am

ellis93 wrote:With the exception of the converter,the rebuild is gonna cost you the same thing....almost the same if not the same parts.
I know,I know.....block plate,starter bla bla bla......you've already did it once why not do it again and have zero regrets. Only this time you could use the pressure switch thing(like I am 8) ) to actuate the lockup and od with toggle switches wired in between. Just food for thought.

I knew this would happen :lol: The 47RH is all but out for me. BTDT. I would have to really consider a re-gear if I went that route, considering what I use this truck for. However, the only time I recall putting a real load on the engine was with the 47RH 8) :lol: If I find as good of a deal as my 1st 47RH, I'd have to consider it, but that was one heck of a deal and I don't foresee finding another one.

BC847 wrote:Ya gotta pay to play,

- How quick do you want to go? $$$

However quick 274 hp will take me :lol: If I left the line at 25 pounds of boost, my PS rear tire would boil :lol:
Caleb, Certified Shade Tree Mechanic Extraordinaire :mrgreen:
The 1stgen.org black sheep

"Whatever!" - Coach Jerry Smith
cmann250
14mm rotor
 
Posts: 4059
Joined: Fri May 20, 2011 5:25 pm
Location: Lafayette, IN
Top

Re: The time has come. New trans time.

Postby ellis93 » Thu May 09, 2013 5:53 am

Well Caleb,don't discount the ptc converter thing......1-256-383-6868
93 D250 ,5 speed,4.11s,k&n autometer tach pyro trans boost guages,GDS 60mm h1c 14cm,honed 5x10,hplp/reg,1/8 timing,M+H M2 fuel pin, tims cooler tubz
User avatar
ellis93
14mm rotor
 
Posts: 7761
Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2010 3:16 pm
Location: lucedale,mississippi
Top

Re: The time has come. New trans time.

Postby txs » Thu May 09, 2013 5:54 am

If you need assistance when you go through whatever you decide to put in, let me know, neighbor. If you go with a 518 and make it a lockup do get an alloy input, i've seen a couple stock motors break one and its ugly, takes out the whole pump assembly. Are you 2x or 4x4, cant remember. Ive got a 2 wheel drive 518 in a 92 6bt donor truck you can have for help pulling the motor and tranny.
93 w250 6 speed 4" exhaust, caution, work truck, she's no beauty. building 1 ton dually 4x4, dana 80, 48rh, 205 Scratch the one ton, bought frt. dually 4x4 98 12 valve with the tiny rear doors. rides so much better than the 93.
txs
14mm rotor
 
Posts: 556
Joined: Sat Sep 29, 2007 7:48 am
Location: south cumberland plateau, tenn
Top

Re: The time has come. New trans time.

Postby cmann250 » Thu May 09, 2013 6:23 am

txs wrote:If you need assistance when you go through whatever you decide to put in, let me know, neighbor. If you go with a 518 and make it a lockup do get an alloy input, i've seen a couple stock motors break one and its ugly, takes out the whole pump assembly. Are you 2x or 4x4, cant remember. Ive got a 2 wheel drive 518 in a 92 6bt donor truck you can have for help pulling the motor and tranny.

Just the man I was looking to hear from! I thought there was talk of you moving south at SOP? My truck is 2wd.

I'll pm you here in a minute.
Caleb, Certified Shade Tree Mechanic Extraordinaire :mrgreen:
The 1stgen.org black sheep

"Whatever!" - Coach Jerry Smith
cmann250
14mm rotor
 
Posts: 4059
Joined: Fri May 20, 2011 5:25 pm
Location: Lafayette, IN
Top

Re: The time has come. New trans time.

Postby cmann250 » Fri May 10, 2013 12:54 pm

I did some more research on converters and now I more or less understand how they work. I was also told that the converter that I have is tighter and lower stall than stock, so I'm in good shape there.

A shift kit of some sort will be in order, as will a new cooler up front. I'm sure it's a good idea to pick up a deep pan, but this truck does a lot of off-roading. Not stuff like the Baja 1000, but pulling stuff in and out of fields and through ditches. I may have to do some measuring.
Caleb, Certified Shade Tree Mechanic Extraordinaire :mrgreen:
The 1stgen.org black sheep

"Whatever!" - Coach Jerry Smith
cmann250
14mm rotor
 
Posts: 4059
Joined: Fri May 20, 2011 5:25 pm
Location: Lafayette, IN
Top

Re: The time has come. New trans time.

Postby RCCUMMINS89 » Fri May 10, 2013 1:22 pm

Especially being a puddle sniffer as it is.
89 RC on shortened 92 diesel frame - NV4500 w/dual disc/4.10s on 37s. - Self built pump, "hot screw", lots of timing, True high volume low pressure lift pump, 62fmw/68/.7gated, 77lpm SAC Inj., Studs/O-rings,- 423/1220 Mustang - 11/16/2013 http://www.TheHungryDiesel.com full line dealer, if you don't see it please ask.
RCCUMMINS89
14mm rotor
 
Posts: 4826
Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2011 4:19 pm
Location: Spirit Lake, ID
Top

Re: The time has come. New trans time.

Postby ellis93 » Fri May 10, 2013 2:06 pm

RCCUMMINS89 wrote:Especially being a puddle sniffer as it is.


:lol: that's funny





You suck! :cry:
93 D250 ,5 speed,4.11s,k&n autometer tach pyro trans boost guages,GDS 60mm h1c 14cm,honed 5x10,hplp/reg,1/8 timing,M+H M2 fuel pin, tims cooler tubz
User avatar
ellis93
14mm rotor
 
Posts: 7761
Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2010 3:16 pm
Location: lucedale,mississippi
Top

Next

Return to Transmission

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 11 guests

cron