PPE Stage 4 kit help.

Bustedknuckles

Honey Badger
Sep 25, 2010
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Hagerstown MD
I have a guy dropping off a 05 trans and a PPE stage 4 kit for me to build tonight. I'm not impressed at all but he had already bought it and said he's using it even though I recommended he return it and get a better kit.... Anyway, what I'm wondering is what I can do to improve it? I'm going to install ratiotek pump and shift springs and and mod the converter flow valve. Anything else I can do to improve shifting?

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IOWA LLY

Yes, its really me
Feb 23, 2007
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What does it have for clutches?


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PureHybrid

Isuzu Shakes IT
Feb 15, 2012
3,492
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Central OH
Stage 4 kits are just Alto power packs c1-c4.

I'd keep the stock steels and run 7 frictions in the c2 pack, might have to mix in a kolene to get clearances correct. Don't do the modifications to the drum that the Transgo kit suggests.

I have the Transgo c2 return springs in mine still, but I haven't had it back apart to see if it helps / hurts. Seems to shift good though.
 

onebaddmaxxx

Active member
Feb 22, 2009
1,212
1
38
Cecil County Md
They sell them in raybestos versions now with the slotted gpz. Just installed a kit 2 months ago another shop brought me. I will turn away the next one because it wasnt even worth the hassle.
 

A. Stock Lbz

New member
Aug 13, 2013
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spokane wa
My first built trans was a ppe stage 4 kit, 4094vvt and stock fuel. Trans made it 9k miles before limping, don't know if it was the builder or the kit but it did not last long. I talked to a big name allison builder and he said he wouldn't push that kit over 500whp.
 

Mike L.

Got Sheep?
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Aug 12, 2006
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The Alto power pack was not designed for the 6 speed. Joe Webb at Suncoast designed this kit as an entry level kit for the 5 speed in '02/'03. I tested the first kit back then.
The power pack is very outdated. You will need a lot of extra parts to make this kit work in a 6 speed. There are more things wrong with this kit that I will not talk about.
 

Bustedknuckles

Honey Badger
Sep 25, 2010
1,308
2
38
33
Hagerstown MD
The Alto power pack was not designed for the 6 speed. Joe Webb at Suncoast designed this kit as an entry level kit for the 5 speed in '02/'03. I tested the first kit back then.
The power pack is very outdated. You will need a lot of extra parts to make this kit work in a 6 speed. There are more things wrong with this kit that I will not talk about.
Perfect I don't have any choice but to put it in or turn down the job, guess I'll put it in!

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TheBac

Why do I keep doing this?
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Apr 19, 2008
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....and yet Ive got 10 years and 100,000 miles on my Altos/Kolenes and that good ole Precision ML and I wasnt exactly nice to that trans for a lot of those years, yet it keeps clicking along. Go figure.

(Yeah, I know....it'd be fun to tear it down and see just how bad it is inside, but what I dont see, I dont worry about.)
 

PureHybrid

Isuzu Shakes IT
Feb 15, 2012
3,492
472
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Central OH
....and yet Ive got 10 years and 100,000 miles on my Altos/Kolenes and that good ole Precision ML and I wasnt exactly nice to that trans for a lot of those years, yet it keeps clicking along. Go figure.

(Yeah, I know....it'd be fun to tear it down and see just how bad it is inside, but what I dont see, I dont worry about.)

Didn't merchant auto build your trans? Eric probably stacked 7 frictions in the c3 pack, 2 more than the std power pack. Not ideal for hot lapping with using thin steels, but it'll still hold decent power.

I had originally built mine with a "stg4 kit" and while it never limped on me and still shifted good, when I tore it apart the c3 pack was NOT happy. Had got a little warm and started to delaminate ( and by started, I mean BAD :rofl: )
 

TheBac

Why do I keep doing this?
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Apr 19, 2008
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Didn't merchant auto build your trans? Eric probably stacked 7 frictions in the c3 pack, 2 more than the std power pack. Not ideal for hot lapping with using thin steels, but it'll still hold decent power.

I had originally built mine with a "stg4 kit" and while it never limped on me and still shifted good, when I tore it apart the c3 pack was NOT happy. Had got a little warm and started to delaminate ( and by started, I mean BAD :rofl: )
I'm going to get smacked for this, but I actually have no idea on the particulars other than the type of parts used. He built it knowing what I was going to do with it (attempt fastest stock turbo).
 

PureHybrid

Isuzu Shakes IT
Feb 15, 2012
3,492
472
83
Central OH
I'm going to get smacked for this, but I actually have no idea on the particulars other than the type of parts used. He built it knowing what I was going to do with it (attempt fastest stock turbo).

Nothing wrong with that, you asked for a build and he gave it to you.
 

rcr1978

Active member
Apr 1, 2007
790
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28
Spring Creek, NV
I just tore apart my trans I put together in 06 with a SC4 kit. C2's (8 frictions) were trashed clutches were smoked it had a .140" clearance from the .070" it started at. C3's were burned but not really worn. P2 planet splines and C2 hub splines twisted from the 8-C2/C2 piston 5spd transgo special tie up mod. Other than that it never limped or even gave me any trouble except the funky 3-4 shift, only reason I tore it apart was to make sure it was going to be good for more HP well it wasn't and I would have found out fast with the new motor :D. It had a rough life lots of burnouts, boosted launches, and donuts. Not really a whole lot of power typical max output stock fuel/turbo LB7 so around 500hp and I towed around 15,000lbs frequently in the summer on about a 425hp tune lots of 4-5 gear WOT pulls getting around people on hills ect probably part of the reason the C2's were hurt so bad other than the help from the tie up.
 

Mike L.

Got Sheep?
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Aug 12, 2006
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I'm going to get smacked for this, but I actually have no idea on the particulars other than the type of parts used. He built it knowing what I was going to do with it (attempt fastest stock turbo).
Merchant couldn't build a trans without calling me and Joe Webb at Suncoast for help. He was fired at GM dealer for bad workmanship. Look it up at Diesel Place. it's all there.
 

TheBac

Why do I keep doing this?
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Apr 19, 2008
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Thats all water under the bridge, Mike. Just like the clutches and technology we used to rely on for trans builds....its all in the past. No sense rehashing it.
 

IOWA LLY

Yes, its really me
Feb 23, 2007
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I can see it both ways. On the one hand it was a long time ago, and people do change and or improve sometimes. But on the other hand forums are for helping people/sharing information. So if he used to be a hack then people should know about it.

But the bottom line is your both telling true stories about the same guy so people just need to be careful who they choose to hire or buy parts from. Just because one guy said he was great or awful doesn't mean they should let that be the end all be all.

I tend to follow the rule of majority when doing internet research. If 10 guys say he's great, one says he's bad I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. But obviously that method has its flaws and should be taken with a grain of salt also.


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TheBac

Why do I keep doing this?
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Apr 19, 2008
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I didnt bring up anyone's reputation. I know some of the history between the parties and I really dont care to hear any more about it as its been 10 years.

The topic was about an old-technology trans kit. I just gave my .02 on it, since I have something similar.

Back to the topic......
 
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Mike L.

Got Sheep?
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Aug 12, 2006
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I didnt bring up anyone's reputation. I know some of the history between the parties and I really dont care to hear any more about it as its been 10 years.

The topic was about an old-technology trans kit. I just gave my .02 on it, since I have something similar.

Back to the topic......

I suggest you stay out of the threads that might piss you off.:D