performance boost

[mjamgb]

Has anyone been exposed to reliable information on the relative benefits of the TST kit and the various levels of enhancements from Banks?
It seems that they both are doing the same things, except Banks adds some other doo-dads to smooth the air-flow.

Also, has anyone removed the EGR stuff? If there is a REAL difference in the engine or the management system that needs to be addressed I want to know since I can't use an exhaust brake with it in place.

Lastly, there are several means and theories for beefing the auto tranny and I am getting a bit bewildered. I typically travel 100+ miles when I fire up the beast with a fully loaded self-contained camper (and a six member family) and will be towing a 3000 lb trailer as well (I race an old car). I don't want to cook the poor thing and frequent flushes and torque converter changes bother my sence of propriety (not to mention the ol' pocketbook). Has anyone given their tranny a boost? What did you do? Is it performing as expected? What did it cost you? Would you do anything different if you had if to do again?

Thanks for your patience,

Mike!

[dodge_em]

Mike,
Under normal driving, with an unmodified engine, you shouldn't really see many problems with the stock tranny. But if you are worried about it, I would look into getting an oil temp guage to monitor the temps, and maybe a different pan, such as the Mag-Hytec pan/cover to help it run cooler. A good source for parts for the Dodge Diesels is Geno's Garage (http://www.genosgarage.com)

Feel free to ask more questions!!!!

I am going to be upgrading my torque converter and valve body soon, but that is because I want to add more power than I already have, and I am pushing the limits of the stock converter already.

--dodge_em

[Lil' Dog]

If you are truely concerned about your transmission, talk to the guys as Diesel Transmission Technology. They have specialty products just for Dodge transmissions to handle any power you can make.

DTT (http://www.dieseltrans.com)

Have fun...

J-eh

[PSiemens]

TST products are good. Automatics need upgrading upon turning the power up.
A very good business to deal with is WWW.Piersdiesel.com
What year is you truck?
Phil

[mjamgb]

Thanks for the replies.
I am considering some power boosting activities so that is the reason for the tranny questions. I also don't believe that the automatic will give good performance with the exhaust brake without modification of some sort.
Under stock conditions I think the tranny should be just fine and definitely plan to use a different/better pan once the race car gets loaded up.

Mike!

'97 Ram 2500 4x4 (size long!).

[dodge_em]

A good exhaust brake, from what I understand, forces the torque converter to lock up, and some can produce upwards of 200 hp of braking power, which is a bit of a strain on the transmission. I didn't realize that an exhaust brake was one of your considerations. My oversight. I would definitely upgrade an auto trans to allow the exhaust brake, unless you just wanted the noise, and not the braking aspects of it. Give Bill Kondolay a call at DTT, mentioned above. He has given me some great advice so far, and specializes only in the auto transmissions for our Dodge Diesels, so he knows what he is talking about.

[mjamgb]

Thanks DodgeEm. DTT's website featured one of the "less expensive" replacement torque converters (thousand dollars plus labor is a bit of a choker).
No, I have camper and plan on towing at the same time... definitely want to save the brakes for real stopping, not just slowing down.

Mike!

[dodge_em]

Mike,

Glad I could help. DTT not only has very competitive pricing, but some of the best products and customer service available. I am sure there are other great products from other companies that also offer commendable service, but I am just speaking from my point of view, and what I have heard from others. I want to get an exhaust brake for mine as well. Eventually, I would love to pull a fifth wheel or camper trailer on a trip through the mountains, and who needs to fade the brakes, and roast the rotors if the engine will slow things down going downhill.

--dodge_em

[dodgeram]

check out http://www.dodge-diesel.org/yabbse/index.php


start reading the forums, I learned a lot there ......

the tst PM3 and Edge Comp both add about 120hp at the rear wheels .......


couple that with a set of DD2 injectors and you'll run about 380hp and 800 lb/ft of torque .......

but you'll need some serious tranny upgrades first or you'll blow it all out the bottom .......

the guys on that board will show you the way :)

[rogerdodger]

I have heard that a jake brake or engine brake will destroy a stock tranny,the dealers that have put them on are now willing to take them off for free,or at least in and around oklahoma city so my brother tells me.Just my $.02

[mjamgb]

As on other threads and forums "its all in how you use it." I know of less experienced persons who have destroyed over-the-road tractors using the Jake inproperly too (they sweep the shop now)!
The auto-tranny issue is why I have not taken the plunge on any modification beyond a K&N (although that was a bit of a nervous issue due to experience with an engine nearly consuming itself from oil in the air cleaner).
I am soaking up info like a sponge (the confusion will pass after a bit).

Thanks to all.

Mike!