Who has a 5 star converter and likes it? And billet flex plate. use it or no?

[rcfreak24]

Looking at buying a billet trans used for a heck of a price and it has a 5 star converter. I have read a lot about hard lock up. Can't really afford to just buy a new one. Wondering if anyone likes theirs?

Also comes with a billet flex plate but I have heard they help break cranks..? I have read the 5 star likes to break stock ones though. What do yall recommend?

 

[Josh2002cc]

I had a stock motor truck with a suncoast stage 4 on my 02 that ran a 5 star. I liked it and did not have any issues. Did it lock up hard, I don't think so but you did know when it locked. That of course is subjective and really doesn't help with your decision. I was also running a stock flexplate.

 

[rcfreak24]

Did it ever jar the drive line hard or have passengers comment on lock up? Ever have any issues with it not lasting? I had a friend tell me he out 5 in his buddies in 2 years at 500hp but that doesn't tell me how he drove the truck or took care of his tranny..

 

[Evan@InglewoodTrans]

I've had one for a while that was in my LB7 and is now in my LBZ and I like it. That being said better options are available by other companies and I wouldn't buy another one if this one goes. Suncoast offers a great selection of converters to fit any application.

 

[rcfreak24]

Locking up isn't too bad?

Has anyone heard of these engines being externally balanced and adding a billet flex plate may overtime break a crank shaft ?

How many run at least a triple disc on stock flex plate with out it breaking?

 

[paint94979]

Most trucks run a stock flexplate... I do and have never had a problem. I don't run an ATS converter though

 

[SSchmi5519]

I have had my 5star for years and it locks up hard. Mike recommended a billet flex plate for me, but no issues as of yet with 550hp and stock flexplate/flywheel.

 

[DBUSHLB7]

I've ran a 5star for almost 5 years. Lockup is stiff but not alarming or problematic. Under WOT it does not lockup hard, it only seems to lockup hard at light acceleration approaching 50-55mph. 4 years on stock flexplate, about 4 months on a billet one now.

 

[rcfreak24]

Why did you switch to a billet one

 

[DBUSHLB7]

Why did you switch to a billet one

I built my motor and thought there might come a day when power capable of breaking a stock one might come. Got a smoking deal on one. Was the perfect time to do it as the engine was torn down and the new flexplate could be balanced along with the rest of the rotating assembly.

 

[SSchmi5519]

Passengers comment on mine. Usually with " WTF was that?"

 

[ecc_33]

I've had one with a stock flex plate since 2008. Lock up is only hard at light throttle going into 5th gear. There are better options now.

 

[rcfreak24]

Passengers comment on mine. Usually with " WTF was that?"

Haha that's what I'm wondering

 

[Summitlly]

I Have one. It came in a truck I bought along with a ATS trans. It's terrible! It rattles like crazy. ATS says that its normal for their converters to make noise and rattle? This one only has 30k on it and will be coming out in the spring. The warranty is a joke as well.

 

[DBUSHLB7]

I Have one. It came in a truck I bought along with a ATS trans. It's terrible! It rattles like crazy. ATS says that its normal for their converters to make noise and rattle? This one only has 30k on it and will be coming out in the spring. The warranty is a joke as well.

That's funny... After four years of use my C3s started to slip. A normal thing to happen at 600 HP for multiple years. ATS rebuilt it on warranty with a fresh converter and shortly after my little stage 2 took me into the 11s. Sorry you have an issue with them but they made good on their word with me and their warranty isn't a joke. Actually it couldn't have been more hassle free in my case.

I think it's safe to say other companies and builders pay more attention to further R&D for the Alli and do more to push the limits of what it will hold.

 

[Chevy1925]

Passengers comment on mine. Usually with " WTF was that?"

mine was more of a "holy hell! was that the converter locking?!?"

 

[Summitlly]

Is your converter noisy? Mine is really loud. I called ATS and they said "thats normal for a square tab design" I wasn't the original purchaser of the trans,and thats why they wouldn't warranty it.

 

[Evan@InglewoodTrans]

Mines had a metallic grinding sound in park and neutral for a bit now but it still drives and locks fine. It's not coming out until it dies completely.

 

[Chevy1925]

Is your converter noisy? Mine is really loud. I called ATS and they said "thats normal for a square tab design" I wasn't the original purchaser of the trans,and thats why they wouldn't warranty it.

i dont personally have one, i have a ML converter. i was just stating my reference to riding in steves with the ATS 5 star the first time. Ive been around his truck since he first got the ats converter and its never made any noise worth noting.

 

[Lil Red]

I have 5 Stars in both my daily driver and my race truck. The one in my daily driver acts as though it's slightly out of balance and causes the truck to shake a little, especially stopped while in gear. Don't notice any vibration at highway speeds. The one in the race truck idles smooth however after a few passes at around 725 RWHP it feels like the lockup clutches are starting to slip.