CA Conversion Allison Swap
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 418
Likes: 178
From: Piedmont of N.C.
Not trying to be contrary to your input, but the six speed has a very good track record.
Super Moderator
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,309
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And I'm not trying to be contrary to your valid observation, but Allison found several ways to improve and strengthen the 2000 Series 6 speed during the 8 year development of the new 9 speed.
That being said, being an early adopter always bites. It wasn't until last the last month or two that the first OEM bus vendor in Europe began incorporating Allison's new 9 speed into production.
By the time the new EPA regulations take effect in 2027, I expect that several more US based OEMs will turn to the 9 speed to meet the mandates. From glancing at Allison's annual report, I get the feeling that Allison as a business is banking on demand for the 9 speed, fueled by the drastic reduction in allowable emissions in 2027 and beyond. Therefore, despite this transmission being announced every year since 2017 as coming around the corner, it is now finally here, and going into production vehicles.
While about 60-70% of the parts between the existing 2000 Series and the new 9 speed are interchangeable, that 30-40% of parts unique to the 9 speed are more likely to be supported longer into the future, as the 6 speed becomes a no longer tenable option for OEMs to build new trucks with, and still meet emissions standards throughout the power band. The 6 speeds will eventually fade away over time, just like the Allison AT-545 transmission, which actually bolts directly to the 7.3L T444e, with no CA conversion needed.
So, if I'm going to spend $16K to convert the 4R100 into some sort of Allison 1000 or 2000 series transmission, I'd go for it all the way, because the real value of the 9 speed is the taller final overdrive, for better fuel economy, and the deeper first gear and extra gear between 2 and 4 that ease the burden climbing hills. I don't know if Allison is selling the new 9 speed a la carte yet, but that is the first thing that I would look into, if I were motivated to replace my still working, never rebuilt, 25 year old 4R100.
That being said, being an early adopter always bites. It wasn't until last the last month or two that the first OEM bus vendor in Europe began incorporating Allison's new 9 speed into production.
By the time the new EPA regulations take effect in 2027, I expect that several more US based OEMs will turn to the 9 speed to meet the mandates. From glancing at Allison's annual report, I get the feeling that Allison as a business is banking on demand for the 9 speed, fueled by the drastic reduction in allowable emissions in 2027 and beyond. Therefore, despite this transmission being announced every year since 2017 as coming around the corner, it is now finally here, and going into production vehicles.
While about 60-70% of the parts between the existing 2000 Series and the new 9 speed are interchangeable, that 30-40% of parts unique to the 9 speed are more likely to be supported longer into the future, as the 6 speed becomes a no longer tenable option for OEMs to build new trucks with, and still meet emissions standards throughout the power band. The 6 speeds will eventually fade away over time, just like the Allison AT-545 transmission, which actually bolts directly to the 7.3L T444e, with no CA conversion needed.
So, if I'm going to spend $16K to convert the 4R100 into some sort of Allison 1000 or 2000 series transmission, I'd go for it all the way, because the real value of the 9 speed is the taller final overdrive, for better fuel economy, and the deeper first gear and extra gear between 2 and 4 that ease the burden climbing hills. I don't know if Allison is selling the new 9 speed a la carte yet, but that is the first thing that I would look into, if I were motivated to replace my still working, never rebuilt, 25 year old 4R100.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 418
Likes: 178
From: Piedmont of N.C.
And I'm not trying to be contrary to your valid observation, but Allison found several ways to improve and strengthen the 2000 Series 6 speed during the 8 year development of the new 9 speed.
That being said, being an early adopter always bites. It wasn't until last the last month or two that the first OEM bus vendor in Europe began incorporating Allison's new 9 speed into production.
By the time the new EPA regulations take effect in 2027, I expect that several more US based OEMs will turn to the 9 speed to meet the mandates. From glancing at Allison's annual report, I get the feeling that Allison as a business is banking on demand for the 9 speed, fueled by the drastic reduction in allowable emissions in 2027 and beyond. Therefore, despite this transmission being announced every year since 2017 as coming around the corner, it is now finally here, and going into production vehicles.
While about 60-70% of the parts between the existing 2000 Series and the new 9 speed are interchangeable, that 30-40% of parts unique to the 9 speed are more likely to be supported longer into the future, as the 6 speed becomes a no longer tenable option for OEMs to build new trucks with, and still meet emissions standards throughout the power band. The 6 speeds will eventually fade away over time, just like the Allison AT-545 transmission, which actually bolts directly to the 7.3L T444e, with no CA conversion needed.
So, if I'm going to spend $16K to convert the 4R100 into some sort of Allison 1000 or 2000 series transmission, I'd go for it all the way, because the real value of the 9 speed is the taller final overdrive, for better fuel economy, and the deeper first gear and extra gear between 2 and 4 that ease the burden climbing hills. I don't know if Allison is selling the new 9 speed a la carte yet, but that is the first thing that I would look into, if I were motivated to replace my still working, never rebuilt, 25 year old 4R100.
That being said, being an early adopter always bites. It wasn't until last the last month or two that the first OEM bus vendor in Europe began incorporating Allison's new 9 speed into production.
By the time the new EPA regulations take effect in 2027, I expect that several more US based OEMs will turn to the 9 speed to meet the mandates. From glancing at Allison's annual report, I get the feeling that Allison as a business is banking on demand for the 9 speed, fueled by the drastic reduction in allowable emissions in 2027 and beyond. Therefore, despite this transmission being announced every year since 2017 as coming around the corner, it is now finally here, and going into production vehicles.
While about 60-70% of the parts between the existing 2000 Series and the new 9 speed are interchangeable, that 30-40% of parts unique to the 9 speed are more likely to be supported longer into the future, as the 6 speed becomes a no longer tenable option for OEMs to build new trucks with, and still meet emissions standards throughout the power band. The 6 speeds will eventually fade away over time, just like the Allison AT-545 transmission, which actually bolts directly to the 7.3L T444e, with no CA conversion needed.
So, if I'm going to spend $16K to convert the 4R100 into some sort of Allison 1000 or 2000 series transmission, I'd go for it all the way, because the real value of the 9 speed is the taller final overdrive, for better fuel economy, and the deeper first gear and extra gear between 2 and 4 that ease the burden climbing hills. I don't know if Allison is selling the new 9 speed a la carte yet, but that is the first thing that I would look into, if I were motivated to replace my still working, never rebuilt, 25 year old 4R100.
Super Moderator
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,309
Likes: 6,081
Instead, the GM 10 speed is offered in the 2500 / 3500 / 3500HD pickups and chassis cabs built by GM. This transmission was codeveloped with Ford, and internally is structured very similarly to Ford's 10R100 and 10R140. GM licensed the name of Allison to apply to this transmission, but it is not a transmission that Allison developed.
Nor is it the transmission that I am talking about when I say Allison 9 speed.
The links below discuss the 9 speed Allison transmission I am talking about. The 9 speed isn't the 10 speed.
And the 9 speed isn't, and most likely never will be, found under GM pickup. It is more befitting under a Hino, Freightliner, or International medium duty.
It is based off of an Allison 2000, similar to the Allison 2300, 2500, 2700, and 2750 that is offered in the GM 5500s that you have at work.
https://www.allisontransmission.com/...oducts/9-speed
https://allisontransmission.bynder.c...d-Brochure.pdf
https://atsg.com/allison-transmission-md-9-speed/
https://www.allisontransmission.com/...he-middle-east
By reading the links above, one will quickly see that the so called "Allison" 10 speed transmission in GM pickups and 3500HD chassis cabs, versus the Allison 9 speed transmission that I am talking about, and that is just this year entering into the medium duty truck and bus market, are entirely different transmissions altogether.
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,309
Likes: 6,081
Last I heard, the owner of CA Conversions retired, or at least was very much trying to, in order to sail away on a liveaboard yacht. He and his mechanically knowledgeable wife turned the reins of CA Conversions over to their son, who was planning on moving from Florida to Texas or Oklahoma, in cahoots with another friend's business. Their land and building in Florida was on the market for sale this past summer.
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