Just wondering if any of you guys built your Trans yourself. If so what kit, how hard was if, and and tips would help. Thinking about doin mine myself if possible. Looking to hold 800hp in a dd so like to know what kit and converter. Thanks
Allison 6sp: Any of you guys DIY'D your Allison build?
- Thread starter Shieldsinc
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I've personally built mine both times that it was needed. First kit was the old school Suncoast Stg 4 kit. I used the ATSG manual as well. The build was pretty smooth and straight forward. Parts are heavy so I would make an adapter to mount the trans to an engine stand. Only issue I had on my first build was the 3-4 shift liked to flare/double shift. TCM programming fixed it I'm not sure if that was the correct way. Also the trans only lasted about 20k miles, however I blame most of that on my self taught tuning with no defuel.
2nd build was with Suncoast's Gmax 5 kit. Smooth, easy assembly once again and perfect shifts. 2 weeks after building it my transgo converter valve jammed so trans came out and a modified stocker went back in, thanks to a lot of info from Mike L.
If your shooting for 800+hp I would send it to the professionals though. There are small tricks and tips that they know that will be needed for that high of hp. Mike L. has helped me out plenty with my questions.
2nd build was with Suncoast's Gmax 5 kit. Smooth, easy assembly once again and perfect shifts. 2 weeks after building it my transgo converter valve jammed so trans came out and a modified stocker went back in, thanks to a lot of info from Mike L.
If your shooting for 800+hp I would send it to the professionals though. There are small tricks and tips that they know that will be needed for that high of hp. Mike L. has helped me out plenty with my questions.
I have never taken my trucks to a shop to be worked on my entire life and I can say the first the will be for a trans build. That's just not something I would do even though I've rebuilt a stock Allison. Like said above the really good builders know tricks that make it that much better.
I put my dad's trans together with a kit from Mike L. and a Precision ML converter and it has worked well for 4 years now. When it came time to build my trans I thought it would be faster to just buy a trans, but it wasn't. The engine stand adapter is essential, and you have to have a way to compress the clutch packs. It has been done several ways and if you search on here enough you will find some ideas. Buy the ATSG manual first to see what you are dealing with. You will need some help a couple of times during the build. There are a ton of kits out there now, some sellers will help after they have your money and some won't.
Ive built 3 of them with ppe stage 4 and 5 kits. mine is a 5 speed stage 5 holding over 900hp, daily driving, sled pulling and, drag racing. for the cost of the kit vs paying somone to do it, its hard not to consider trying it yourself. I know mine isnt going to last forever, but a pro built one isnt going to last forever either. Its a tough call. As far as doing it, all you really need is a good set of snap ring pliers, screw drivers, a GOOD tranny jack and metric tools. Also get an allison manual, i had to go back and forth between the ppe instructions and the allison manual during assembly, its kind of confusing.
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http://www.duramaxforum.com/forum/h...1000-teardown-rebuild-no-posting-allowed.html
This is of a 5speed, but it gives you an idea...
This is of a 5speed, but it gives you an idea...
I built mine with a PPE 4 clutch kit. Ive rebuilt a couple to stock form, but it was my first with aftermarket parts. Only thing thats a PITA is putting the return springs in the rotating assembly 
Im sure it would help if I had the correct tools :roflmao:
Mine has about 40k street miles and a few drag passes, 3-4 shift is kinda harsh when the trans is cold but thats it. IMO if going for such big power, send it to someone who will cover their work!
Im sure it would help if I had the correct tools :roflmao:Mine has about 40k street miles and a few drag passes, 3-4 shift is kinda harsh when the trans is cold but thats it. IMO if going for such big power, send it to someone who will cover their work!
Yea looks like ill just let my buddy back home do it when I go back. He owns a Trans shop back home.
Just because he owns a trans shop doesn't mean he can build a high HP Allison. Gotta know what tolerances to use for the application.
I built my own PPE stage 5 and it was pretty decent when it was around 550-600hp. When the duel fuelers went on and I started turning it up more, it didn't make it. It did survive 550-600 for a good 35,000 though. But only made it about 5,000 with it turned up
I built my own PPE stage 5 and it was pretty decent when it was around 550-600hp. When the duel fuelers went on and I started turning it up more, it didn't make it. It did survive 550-600 for a good 35,000 though. But only made it about 5,000 with it turned up
If your only going to run 550 600 range building your own isn't a bad idea but imho over that it should be professionally built with the special mods to help it live@ 700 on up
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
I have put several together using old Suncoast stage IV, PPE stage V, Suncoast gmax 6, and several MA 700 kits. I think MA's kit is the most complete. Its not bad take your time and ask your vendor if you have any questions.
Sent from my GT-I9300
Sent from my GT-I9300
I built my own using an alligator stage 5 kit with a precision ml converter. Have had it in for almost a year now with about 10,000 miles on it and it has been flawless. I have never once limped it either. Its just worked great from day one. If you do build it yourself, I would get a mike l pressure spring and a modified converter flow valve to replace the trans go one so there is no line pressure drop when the converter locks. Between the pressure spring and the modified converter flow valve and assembled correctly of course, it will handle a lot for quite a while.
Install isn't hard and I also did mine 100% by myself. Made an engine stand adapter and went to town. Built it in a day and have no regrets. If it ever needs to come out, I will be building it myself again.
Its nice to see there are quite a few DIY'ers over here. You won't get ANY help asking this same question over on DF. All they tell you is how dumb you are for even considering building it yourself and that it just won't work. I think I broke that trend over there.
Install isn't hard and I also did mine 100% by myself. Made an engine stand adapter and went to town. Built it in a day and have no regrets. If it ever needs to come out, I will be building it myself again.
Its nice to see there are quite a few DIY'ers over here. You won't get ANY help asking this same question over on DF. All they tell you is how dumb you are for even considering building it yourself and that it just won't work. I think I broke that trend over there.
I put some videos together when I built mine.
I used a Suncoast Stage IV kit and one of their converter.
http://youtu.be/zWWJSbWczgI
http://youtu.be/vtZ6Mfrqznk
I used a Suncoast Stage IV kit and one of their converter.
http://youtu.be/zWWJSbWczgI
http://youtu.be/vtZ6Mfrqznk
I have built 5, mine and four other friends. I shouldn't say "built" but rather "installed" the PPE Stage V kit. All are 500+hp trucks at least, a few in the mid-600 range. They have all made numerous drag strip passes and been driven hard on the streets and have held up fine. SlimJimm17 and I built his trans and his truck runs high 11s, has dual fuelers, etc. That being said, how would they hold up at 700-800hp or more, I don't know I guess. But I wouldn't hesitate to try it if I were you. Plus the 6 speeds are a much nicer job than the 5 speeds:thumb:.
. But I wouldn't hesitate to try it if I were you. Plus the 6 speeds are a much nicer job than the 5 speeds:thumb:.