Trans Slip/ Upgrades

flippincgfighter · Feb 29, 2012

Driving my 2008 F350 with the spartan 310 tonight and did a WOT run in OD from about 55-75 and saw almost 350rpm of slip in the tq converter.

My question is, can i throw a good converter in there and have it last a while?
What other parts would be smart to do to the trans to make it last, besides having a full transmission build done.

I just uploaded the 310 to see what kind of mileage i would get with it, but i baby the pickup and dont plan on racing it around. Its getting studs/egr delete this summer but for now its just tune/exhaust and intake with 162k miles

O2ShootTheJ · Feb 29, 2012

was the torque converter locked when you saw 350?

the RCD torque converter seems to be pretty promising from what I've read on here. No personal experience.

flippincgfighter · Feb 29, 2012

Yeah the tq converter was locked in OD. I rolled into it so it wouldnt downshift but when i saw 350 rpms i was at full throttle.

The RCD torque converter looks great, but would that be enough? I want to daily the 310 at some point and not worry about the trans, but i never plan on going bigger than that, so i dont really want a billet built trans.

WoodBoy · Feb 29, 2012

TC should be enough

Danbonzo · Feb 29, 2012

WoodBoy said:
TC should be enough

Whs. suncoast ftw.

O2ShootTheJ · Feb 29, 2012

you will have to rebuild your trans eventually, but the TC should be enough for now I would think

Ipkyss · Feb 29, 2012

So when did this new theory come about that you can daily drive the 310 and be good with a stock trans and a converter? Everyone told me don't waste your money on a converter in the stock trans if your going to run big tunes. When the trans finally goes, so will your new converter.

madman1234509 · Feb 29, 2012

I will be acquiring my rcd converter tomorrow and will be running it in my stock tranny with the mods listed below. My stock converter has less than 20 rpm of slip but I wanted atleast a converter before I go any further. My tranny seems to be holding up well and shifts are nice and crisp. Haven't had any hard slamming since about 2 revisions ago of the Spartan tuning.

MINK · Feb 29, 2012

Ipkyss said:
So when did this new theory come about that you can daily drive the 310 and be good with a stock trans and a converter? Everyone told me don't waste your money on a converter in the stock trans if your going to run big tunes. When the trans finally goes, so will your new converter.

Bingo - I've beat the phuck out of my stock converter/trans for a year now waiting for it to not move anymore, its held great so far IMO but its time to upgrade and I am doing it all right the first time. It never pays to shortcut in the diesel world which I have had to learn myself even.

flippincgfighter · Feb 29, 2012

Ok. Good Info guys.

So i dont want to buy a good converter, and have it go when the trans does. So im going to run the stock trans till it goes out completely. When it does go out completely, whats the best rebuild option BESIDES a fully built billet suncoast or elite? I want upgraded parts that will last in the sub600hp range but i have no reason to need to pay for the fully built trans.

O2ShootTheJ · Feb 29, 2012

buy the rebuild kit and have a local place rebuild your trans.

EvilTwins · Feb 29, 2012

Ipkyss said:
So when did this new theory come about that you can daily drive the 310 and be good with a stock trans and a converter? Everyone told me don't waste your money on a converter in the stock trans if your going to run big tunes. When the trans finally goes, so will your new converter.

Ive been running the stock trans for a daily driver for years now with nothing but the 310,350,345, x-street,x-race. Thats not to say i wont go out tomorrow and crack the throttle and drop the tranny. I would rather have the solid torque converter than the mush box that was in there before.

Besides the tuner, the converter was the best upgrade i have done. .......next to my truck balls!!!!!

Not really. Lol

Corb@CorbinShipping · Feb 29, 2012

just an FYI....

my plans for the 450 trans, is just a TC, and deep pan. I dont really beat on it, as it is my DD for now, and my hauler as well. I am doing the 71 mm atmo, and studs, gaskets, valvetrain upgrade, and not too much else for power, just more stuff for reliability. I run the H&S Hot Damn tune, most of the time, with low boost fuel set to 0. I dont exactly baby it now, but I dont abuse it excessively.

The TC is the weak link in the stock trans, from what I have discovered, so, simply upgrading that, SHOULD be sufficient to a point. Now, since yours is already showing slippage, it might be too late, I am not the expert on transmissions.... But, I was afraid of doing just a TC, and the trans taking a dump, and crapping out the TC as well. until...... I found out that if the TC is trashed, and you send it back to suncoast, a TC rebuild is only $300.00......not a full $1300 replacement, just a 300 bone rebuild, and then the rebuild of your trans, which is what was a possibility anyhow... Now, I have not done this yet, so I am not talking form experience, yet... So, my theory, is to save money by using a good TC, and knowing that if it does sheet the bed, then i am only out $300 extra, plus a few extra dollars labor.

Derek@Vision Diesel · Feb 29, 2012

I would not buy a new converter if i had a suspicious feeling the rest was weak. At 162k miles and being tuned 90% of it, you should freshen it up with a suncoast rebuild kit and install a converter at the same time.

Your transmission has limited time left if you put a really tight efficient converter in it

Corb@CorbinShipping · Feb 29, 2012

Strokeorcroak said:
I would not buy a new converter if i had a suspicious feeling the rest was weak. At 162k miles and being tuned 90% of it, you should freshen it up with a suncoast rebuild kit and install a converter at the same time.

Your transmission has limited time left if you put a really tight efficient converter in it

That is a lot of miles.... And, if you are already slipping, might be too late. Bottom line, if you have the funds, get the rebuild kit, and like was said above, get a local shop to do the rebuild. The suncoast parts, are just upgraded replacements, and if a shop can rebuild a stock trans, this should be no problem for them. And do the TC as well. You should have a long lasting trans.

4tonGT40 · Feb 29, 2012

flippincgfighter said:
Driving my 2008 F350 with the spartan 310 tonight and did a WOT run in OD from about 55-75 and saw almost 350rpm of slip in the tq converter.

My question is, can i throw a good converter in there and have it last a while?
What other parts would be smart to do to the trans to make it last, besides having a full transmission build done.

I just uploaded the 310 to see what kind of mileage i would get with it, but i baby the pickup and dont plan on racing it around. Its getting studs/egr delete this summer but for now its just tune/exhaust and intake with 162k miles

Suncoast quality TC,GOgo 3/5 Direct Sol,mag-hytec deep trans fluid pan and call it a day.

Derek@Vision Diesel · Feb 29, 2012

4tonGT40 said:
Suncoast quality TC,GOgo 3/5 Direct Sol,mag-hytec deep trans fluid pan and call it a day.

You think with 160k miles and potentially already showing signs of a problem, he could get away with a TC and a solenoid and just run with it?
That would be nice, but if it were me id throw a rebuild kit in it too.

08KingRanchF250 · Feb 29, 2012

Up untill now I've had the stock tranny in mine running 300hd and kem 310 daily and beating on it at the track.. it'd held just fine with my single and i made 660 and 1166..