Question: TH400 & gear vendors behind Dmax?

[carcrafter22]

I am looking at tranny info for my diesel project and after looking at alot of old threads on "the place" I see alot of people wanting to get away from the allison when shooting over 1K hp, I know the alli doesnt like fast hard shifts and locks up during shifts causing failure and the dodge trans is the easy and expensive fix for that (around $10K).

Why hasnt anyone built up a th400 and thrown a gear vendors o/d behind it? I would imagine a th400 could be built to handle the duramax with the proper internals and converter not to mention I believe it would bolt right up to the duramax so that should save a good chunk of change since you dont need an expensive engine to trans adapter. You could use the G/V only when needed on the street if you so choose or even at the track if it will hold ( I have no idea if it will).

Is this a stupid idea?

this is not for my build since I am going with a 4l85e, I just wanted to throw it out there and here why it wont work or will work.

 

[Mike L.]

IMHO the 400 is a poor choice because of no TCC. GearVendors is also know for snapping the mainshaft. Seen a lot of them do it.

 

[carcrafter22]

There you have it, for some reason I didnt even think about converter lockup. Never mind that idea.

 

[Turbo Buick 6]

IMHO the 400 is a poor choice because of no TCC. GearVendors is also know for snapping the mainshaft. Seen a lot of them do it.

I seem to remember that someone builds a th400 that is capable of lock-up. I know it was big bucks but I could have sworn one of my friends was going to get one for his car to replace the lenco

 

[malibu795]

also there is a 10.X CTD square body chevy running a max effort TH400

another option is a PG unit.

 

[The Neens]

http://www.tciauto.com/Products/6x/

I'd ask them if it can handle the Dmax TQ...

 

[Turbo Buick 6]

http://www.tciauto.com/Products/6x/

I'd ask them if it can handle the Dmax TQ...

I have seen nothing but trouble with TCI stuff. No offence to anyone that own their stuff

 

[Mike L.]

I seem to remember that someone builds a th400 that is capable of lock-up. I know it was big bucks but I could have sworn one of my friends was going to get one for his car to replace the lenco

That be Terry at Precision Industries. He no longer builds them and won't in the future.

 

[Mike L.]

I have seen nothing but trouble with TCI stuff. No offence to anyone that own their stuff

TCI = total garbage.

 

[JoshH]

also there is a 10.X CTD square body chevy running a max effort TH400

another option is a PG unit.

That guy is just up the road from me a little way (not far from carcrafter22 either, he's in Terrell I think). That truck is really light. IIRC, it's somewhere around the 4k range.

 

[duratothemax]

I seem to remember that someone builds a th400 that is capable of lock-up. I know it was big bucks but I could have sworn one of my friends was going to get one for his car to replace the lenco

they made a turbo 350 with lockup from the factory (TH350C), no factory TH400 (or, 3L80 as it was known in its last years) lockup apps as far as I know.

As you said though, I thought I remember hearing of an aftermarket lockup setup as well?

 

[carcrafter22]

TCI = total garbage.

I agree, I'm not a fan of anything TCI.

Mike are there any add on overdrives you would trust on the back of a 4l80?

Lets suppose there was an add on overdrive that could be had (maybe a US gear) and will stand up to the tq.

Why cant we take a built to the hilt 4l80e and disable its overdrive since that seems to be the weak point then toss the stronger add on overdrive on the back? Does that sound stupid? I know the extra overdrive would add cost but in some cases you can get rebuilt units for cheap ($6000$800). This would give decent ratios, lockup converter, and a simple trans that will shift fast.


Would it be a huge hassle to beef up the 4l80e overdrive gear? ( I would imagine it is since its not been done yet)?

 

[Mike L.]

I agree, I'm not a fan of anything TCI.

Mike are there any add on overdrives you would trust on the back of a 4l80?

Lets suppose there was an add on overdrive that could be had (maybe a US gear) and will stand up to the tq.

Why cant we take a built to the hilt 4l80e and disable its overdrive since that seems to be the weak point then toss the stronger add on overdrive on the back? Does that sound stupid? I know the extra overdrive would add cost but in some cases you can get rebuilt units for cheap ($6000$800). This would give decent ratios, lockup converter, and a simple trans that will shift fast.


Would it be a huge hassle to beef up the 4l80e overdrive gear? ( I would imagine it is since its not been done yet)?

I just bought a 4L85 core to play with. We shall see.

 

[03 D-max]

I just bought a 4L85 core to play with. We shall see.

well get testing so i can buy a van

 

[CDR]

TCI = total garbage.

2x!!!

 

[carcrafter22]

Mike, I hope to be calling you soon to start ordering parts for the 4L85E, gotta save a few more bucks first.

 

[JOHNBOY]

What about a Modded TH400 like the Rossler TH210. When I was asking them about a 4L85E for behind a Dmax they said for an all out racer the TH210 would be a better choice. You would need a low number rear gear though because of no lock up.

I agree with MikeL on the Gear Vendors. I have seen them blown up.

 

[Mike L.]

What about a Modded TH400 like the Rossler TH210. When I was asking them about a 4L85E for behind a Dmax they said for an all out racer the TH210 would be a better choice. You would need a low number rear gear though because of no lock up.

I agree with MikeL on the Gear Vendors. I have seen them blown up.

He has no experience with diesels. The 210 would never come off the line in one piece.
Guy had a talk with him about the 4L85 and his words were " I will build you one for 6500.00 and I will promise to refresh it after you brake it so that you can sell it to someone else."
I did a study on the 4L80/85 ( same shit ) over the last couple of years because I have seen so many 7 and 8 sec racers using them. I called them They were all told to keep them out of 4th gear.