Trans issues, round 2
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,221
Likes: 3
If you're making 475hp, a fully-built trans will be the better option over just a valve body.
Mach1 beat me to it, but I was also gonna mention John Wood... he's located in Souther Cali. I guess if you're in Washington, both are pretty long drives.
You can always get a trans shipped to you and have it installed locally, or do it yourself.
I hope my trans keeps lasting for a while, but when it goes I'll be giving BTS or John Wood a call.
Mach1 beat me to it, but I was also gonna mention John Wood... he's located in Souther Cali. I guess if you're in Washington, both are pretty long drives.
You can always get a trans shipped to you and have it installed locally, or do it yourself.I hope my trans keeps lasting for a while, but when it goes I'll be giving BTS or John Wood a call.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: Southern Colorado
Here you go cowboy http://jwtt.com/ The link has his phone #, but be prepared to leave a message, he always seems to be working, but will return your call
By the way, if you do go down there and spend the day, you can watch as he builds your custom parts on his mill/lathe, and pick up a lot of knowledge about the 7.3 while your there. This guy knows his stuff!!<O
I have had both BTS & JW transmissions, and I can tell you truthfully, both are at the top of the chain when it comes to transmissions. <O
If your running a ton of pony’s, you should get his billet converter rather than the 6.4. For me, with barely 100 hp over stock, the 6.4 converter was the perfect choice (not to mention a $1000.00 less).<O
You can’t go wrong choosing either JW, or BTS.
<O<O
See you on down the road,<O
Richard<O
By the way, if you do go down there and spend the day, you can watch as he builds your custom parts on his mill/lathe, and pick up a lot of knowledge about the 7.3 while your there. This guy knows his stuff!!<O
I have had both BTS & JW transmissions, and I can tell you truthfully, both are at the top of the chain when it comes to transmissions. <O
If your running a ton of pony’s, you should get his billet converter rather than the 6.4. For me, with barely 100 hp over stock, the 6.4 converter was the perfect choice (not to mention a $1000.00 less).<O
You can’t go wrong choosing either JW, or BTS.
<O
<OSee you on down the road,<O
Richard<O
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 491
Likes: 2
From: Spicewood, TX.
You guys make a point here and that is what the 'other' thread was about, a trans guy should work FOR YOU. He should interveiw you-see your needs and wants and then 'size' you up with the correct 'package'.
I do this everyday, with these trucks there are no size fits all...Everyone is different, everyones needs are different, everyones pocketbook is different.
95% of the trucks can get away with a 6.4 TC..The aluminum pan adds rigidity to the case.
Jw is very respected and a very good guy as well, he is a great business man as well. He does an exceptional job at matching the level of his trans to the needs of the customer..THIS IS KEY!! No more no less...
I do this everyday, with these trucks there are no size fits all...Everyone is different, everyones needs are different, everyones pocketbook is different.
95% of the trucks can get away with a 6.4 TC..The aluminum pan adds rigidity to the case.
Jw is very respected and a very good guy as well, he is a great business man as well. He does an exceptional job at matching the level of his trans to the needs of the customer..THIS IS KEY!! No more no less...
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,308
Likes: 250
From: Hartford, WI
Originally Posted by Mach1
95% of the trucks can get away with a 6.4 TC..The aluminum pan adds rigidity to the case.
Jw is very respected and a very good guy as well, he is a great business man as well. He does an exceptional job at matching the level of his trans to the needs of the customer..THIS IS KEY!! No more no less...
Jw is very respected and a very good guy as well, he is a great business man as well. He does an exceptional job at matching the level of his trans to the needs of the customer..THIS IS KEY!! No more no less...
When I started modifying my car, I said I would stop at intakes and headers. Well, although initially I swore off heads and cams, I went there. Finally, I even had a bored and stroked motor. The only reason I haven't gone with a supercharger is because I swore off it and had the compression set too high. Now I have to tear down the motor and change pistons to get the lowered compression to run a supercharger.
So, I rather have the BTS trans that is built to the max. I know if I had gone with a JW trans, I would probably have tried the 6.4 converter first. That would be fine till I decided to go more radical and then I have to tear it out and go with something else.
Besides, if I am going with a performance trans, why would I want a stock 6.4 converter in it? Ford is not known for using the best parts. Only the parts that meet a certain dollar figure.
As to the pan giving regidity, are we having a regidity issue with the trans case?
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: Southern Colorado
Aklim:
Nither John, nor Brian is your personal mind reader. You make the decisions, they do the work. You make the wrong decision, it's on you. They will both build the transmissions YOU ask for.
By the way, when you speak of "building to the max", Mad Dog is having his new trans built by JW right now. What's his running HP now, somewhere over 1000 hp, and no, he is not using the 6.4 converter, nor stock imput shaft, nor much of stock anything. However, for 90% of the semi built 7.3 trucks, the 6.4 converter is more than we really need, and John stands behind them with the same warranty.
Richard
Nither John, nor Brian is your personal mind reader. You make the decisions, they do the work. You make the wrong decision, it's on you. They will both build the transmissions YOU ask for.
By the way, when you speak of "building to the max", Mad Dog is having his new trans built by JW right now. What's his running HP now, somewhere over 1000 hp, and no, he is not using the 6.4 converter, nor stock imput shaft, nor much of stock anything. However, for 90% of the semi built 7.3 trucks, the 6.4 converter is more than we really need, and John stands behind them with the same warranty.
Richard
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,308
Likes: 250
From: Hartford, WI
Originally Posted by Meatco1
Aklim:
Nither John, nor Brian is your personal mind reader. You make the decisions, they do the work. You make the wrong decision, it's on you. They will both build the transmissions YOU ask for.
By the way, when you speak of "building to the max", Mad Dog is having his new trans built by JW right now. What's his running HP now, somewhere over 1000 hp, and no, he is not using the 6.4 converter, nor stock imput shaft, nor much of stock anything. However, for 90% of the semi built 7.3 trucks, the 6.4 converter is more than we really need, and John stands behind them with the same warranty.
Richard
Nither John, nor Brian is your personal mind reader. You make the decisions, they do the work. You make the wrong decision, it's on you. They will both build the transmissions YOU ask for.
By the way, when you speak of "building to the max", Mad Dog is having his new trans built by JW right now. What's his running HP now, somewhere over 1000 hp, and no, he is not using the 6.4 converter, nor stock imput shaft, nor much of stock anything. However, for 90% of the semi built 7.3 trucks, the 6.4 converter is more than we really need, and John stands behind them with the same warranty.
Richard
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,658
Likes: 0
From: Ellensburg, Washington
Well I dropped the truck off today. I went with my local trany guys built E40D, an ATS convertor, ATS pan, and a BTS vb upgrade. As well as SD planetarys and pump. It should last this time round, lol. Thanks for all the input fellas. I'll be sure to let ya know how it drives when I get her back.
Cowboy Steve
Cowboy Steve
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Brett Foote
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 491
Likes: 2
From: Spicewood, TX.
aklim, the first question, what do you do with your truck, second question what are you going to do with the truck??? Thrid question-are you going to higher performance levels down the road???
I restate my opinion, the 6.4 convertor fits 95% of the applications out there..It sounds like you are not familiar with it..Start with a stock 4R100 TC, go up a notch because the Torqueshift(because a stock 6L puts down as much as any bolt on, chipped 7.3), then go up another notch because of the new towing capacity of the 6.4..So the 6.4 TC is a full two levels up from a 4R100..
Go over to the 6L threads and see how many 13 second 6L are running the stock 6L TC..Then go up one level from there, the 6L guys would love to have a 6.4 convertor..These are 13 second trucks...I have a 6L and the TC is huge difference from my 7.3..
SD-You already have the SD planetaries, now if you can get them to install the harded drums then that is saying something..I Cryo mine..Then you might want the red Alto's and Kolene steels..Stacked with extra clutches across all the frictions, New improved snap ring, port the pump and accept nothing less then a brand new pump and body, minimum Transgo tugger kit, and the intermidiate support on the shaft..All this to start..MINIMUM..
I restate my opinion, the 6.4 convertor fits 95% of the applications out there..It sounds like you are not familiar with it..Start with a stock 4R100 TC, go up a notch because the Torqueshift(because a stock 6L puts down as much as any bolt on, chipped 7.3), then go up another notch because of the new towing capacity of the 6.4..So the 6.4 TC is a full two levels up from a 4R100..
Go over to the 6L threads and see how many 13 second 6L are running the stock 6L TC..Then go up one level from there, the 6L guys would love to have a 6.4 convertor..These are 13 second trucks...I have a 6L and the TC is huge difference from my 7.3..
SD-You already have the SD planetaries, now if you can get them to install the harded drums then that is saying something..I Cryo mine..Then you might want the red Alto's and Kolene steels..Stacked with extra clutches across all the frictions, New improved snap ring, port the pump and accept nothing less then a brand new pump and body, minimum Transgo tugger kit, and the intermidiate support on the shaft..All this to start..MINIMUM..
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 14,582
Likes: 12
From: 21791
Mach you're right. Even the stock TC on the 6.0 is impressive. Makes me wonder what a triple disk billet TC for a 6.0 with the adapter plates from JW would do on my truck. Even this PI tc i have now slips more than i'd like when it's unlocked under low-moderate throttle.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 899
Likes: 0
From: Irmo, SC
I think what Aklim is tring to say is build the trans for more than you think you will need. Then if you end up with problems you know you need to even go further the next time. I do have a BTS trans and am very happy with it. I dont know anything about John Woods, not saying that is bad or good. All I know is Brian told me this trans would do everything I needed it to and then some. Plus when the trans went out he came and picked up my truck from Kansas and took it to his shop. Not saying John Woods wouldnt do that, but, he might not have wanted to pick me up 5 states away. BTS was the better option I had at the time. Either that or some local shop who gave a 12 mile warranty. LOL. Since I am not in Kansas anymore his warranty wouldnt work for me anyways.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,405
Likes: 0
When i had my trans redone, before i found out my case was @#$@ed up i was asked those same questions. I was told go with the best one, which would have been nice. After the case incident, i didnt have the money to spend on the new case. So im running a stock trans with a shift kit, 6L convertor(im still convinced they are the same the 6.4 and 6L). Good enough for me.
Not wanting to start crap, but if someone isnt hot rodding or putting their truck through extreme condition, they should be able to get one built just for what they need, not for going to the sled pulls or 20PSI launchs at the strip.
Not wanting to start crap, but if someone isnt hot rodding or putting their truck through extreme condition, they should be able to get one built just for what they need, not for going to the sled pulls or 20PSI launchs at the strip.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 491
Likes: 2
From: Spicewood, TX.
Brian Waranty pick ups are ledgenary, He went to Florida to get a truck that did not make it two weeks. The man was next to Suncoast, but went with Brian instead.
Strokin-I have installed a couple of the 5 star ATS convertors, I usually use the Suncoasts, ATS is tough to beat. They stick unlocked!! The stall is incredible..I have to measure TC's UNLOCKED, One reason--ANY TC locked wont slip, so how do you compare that? Its when they are unlocked that makes the difference, the ATS drives hard, very efficient, I would hesitate installing one of these in a stock truck, it would make it a dog..WAY TOO much bite..
Just My opinion, but I use the ATS only in high HP applications and leave the 6.4 for 95% of the people out there..Although the customer makes the final call..
Strokin-I have installed a couple of the 5 star ATS convertors, I usually use the Suncoasts, ATS is tough to beat. They stick unlocked!! The stall is incredible..I have to measure TC's UNLOCKED, One reason--ANY TC locked wont slip, so how do you compare that? Its when they are unlocked that makes the difference, the ATS drives hard, very efficient, I would hesitate installing one of these in a stock truck, it would make it a dog..WAY TOO much bite..
Just My opinion, but I use the ATS only in high HP applications and leave the 6.4 for 95% of the people out there..Although the customer makes the final call..
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 899
Likes: 0
From: Irmo, SC
Brian picking up my truck wasnt because of a warranty issue. It was to get my business. I am very happy with the choice I made. Maybe if I was in California I would have a John Woods trans instead. I beat the hell outta this thing and it comes back for more. It all comes down to choices the more choices we have for parts the better the product becomes. I think we all like to have choices!
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,658
Likes: 0
From: Ellensburg, Washington
An ATS convertor alone set me back about $1500 with shipping. I cant believe it. Thius mornign i was drivin to the trans shop and the truck was doin 60mph and redling, lol. Convertor is shot. Its the best convertor that PI makes. I roached it! lol, so now Im on to the ATS convertor. There was another PSD in there with a 5" cannon hangin out the ****, it was on the lift. The dude was eye ballin my engine compartment a little to much
Cowboy Steve
Cowboy Steve