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[B]I have read some threads about the stock torque converters being pretty crappy. I am interested in upgrading but don't really know who makes good TCs. Any suggestions and should I see any kind of performance increase from the swapout?
There is a trans. & TC builder in Canada who builds TC's for the Power Stroke. I looked for the reccords in my files and I can't find them. My trans. shop installed the HD TC and larger pan and cooler. I have a 2000 F-250, 7.3 with 3.73 final drive. About 120,000 miles on the truck now and most of that pulling a 36' GN at about 11,000#. Add a trans. temperature gague if you don't have one and be sure the temp stays below 200 F. Even is summer the temp on mine never is above 175 F.
John Wood Automotive in Holtville Ca does the conversion,he machines the the flywheel spacer puts in a new input shaft with the 6.0 converter,there is more but I don't remember. I think the trans in my wifes truck could possibly be better than my BTS tranny. Extra clutch plate , thrust bearings instead of washers and lots of other cool stuff. After we pulled the old converter and found it full of metal pieces we had John do a complete rebuild.
Well, if you can do the work yourself, just torque convertor is the way to go, maybe with a shift kit. I went with a BTS because of his reputaion and also I have a 2 year unlimited mile/HP warranty. It doesnt matter if i try to pull the devil out of the down under land, its covered no questions asked. It all comes down to getting what you paid for. The BTS is expensive, my buddy just had one done to the tune of $4,000, but he loves it.
I have the BTS in my truck and my wife has the John Wood with the 6.0 conversion in it and her TC doesn't slip like mine and it shifts a hell of a lot better.
I've had the trans about a year got 20K on it. I've seen a few of these TC go away and John Wood is a lot closer and we like to go to his shop to play.