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5r110w total torque vs engine torque

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Old Mar 1, 2009 | 05:24 PM
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5r110w total torque vs engine torque

I can't seem to find a clear answer on my question. What is the torque capacity or limit for a 5r110w trans in a 2006 F-350, 1100 ft/lbs? What is the torque capacity or limit of the torque converter (seems to be less than the 1100 Ft/lbs for the trans).
Some of the research I have done seems to indicate that you take the total torque 1100 and divide by 2 or 2.5 to get to the limit of your engine torque when making mods. If this were true then if I divide 1100 by 2, I get 550 ft lbs of torque for the limit of engine output. That would mean I am basically at my limit with my stock 6.0 PSD. I can't believe that would be the case. Help!!!!
 
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Old Mar 1, 2009 | 05:43 PM
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Unmodified, the 5r110 is good for a 1000 lbs. No division factors. You have atleast 300 ft lb you can add without overloading the transmission, however, a tune which also modifies shifting will protect it better. That is why most tunders prefered are those which also tune the transmission.
 
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Old Mar 1, 2009 | 05:57 PM
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Thank you. I was confused by the different info I was finding. Just one clarification, I read the 110 in the name 5r110w, means 1100 ft lbs. Since you state 1000 ft lbs, can you explain the difference?
 
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Old Mar 1, 2009 | 08:56 PM
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The 110 is a realitve rating that ford gives to the series of transmissions. I've never seen anything that relates it to an actual torque rating. Not unlike GM with their ratings of 3t40, 4L60, 4l80 etc. With those, it's a 4 speed L ongitudinal mount 60 series. 5r110 5 forward speeds with Reverse 110 series. 4r70w, similar, 4 speed with reverse 70 series wide ratio.
 
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Old Mar 1, 2009 | 09:25 PM
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The 110 in the 5R110 does mean 1100 lb-ft of torque capacity in the transmission. The torque converter has a torque ratio of about 1.9:1, but it never reaches the maximum torque ratio when the engine is at maximum torque. The engine makes more than 550lb-ft, but it doesn't do that at the same point that the torque converter has it's full multiplication.

5 = 5 speeds
R = rear wheel drive (front wheel drive trans has an F here)
110 = torque capacity x 10
W = wide ratio gearset

I've never understood why people think a tuner increases the torque capacity of a transmission. The capacity is usually due to something mechanical that will break. Do the tunes make the gears, carriers, drums, and shafts stronger? Maybe I just don't get it.
 
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Old Mar 1, 2009 | 10:34 PM
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Great info. Thanks Mark!
 
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Old Mar 2, 2009 | 11:28 AM
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Thanks Mark. All things being equal, tranny is in good shape, never been towed with or abused, does that mean if I were crazy enough to do a bully dog triple dog extreme tune, intake, exhaust etc. Reported ft Lbs of around 800+, I will not totally incinerate the tranny the first time I romp on it?
 
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Old Mar 2, 2009 | 12:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Mark Kovalsky
I've never understood why people think a tuner increases the torque capacity of a transmission. The capacity is usually due to something mechanical that will break. Do the tunes make the gears, carriers, drums, and shafts stronger? Maybe I just don't get it.
Doesn't increasing the input torque at any given RPM, then shifting with the tranny tuned to the lower torque, create problems like too much clutch slippage? And heat?

Of course it doesn't do anything for the PEAK torque capability of the transmission, but if you slam into the gears faster, that's helping the clutches last longer (and conversely, possibly making the hard mechanical parts LESS reliable).
 
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Old Mar 2, 2009 | 07:47 PM
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Now I look like a boob.

Should have known better about the R, meaning rear wheel drive. X being transverse mount. I'm better with the GM's.

Guess I didn't pay enough attention to the nomenclature.

Never stop learning....
 
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Old Mar 2, 2009 | 08:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Krewat
Doesn't increasing the input torque at any given RPM, then shifting with the tranny tuned to the lower torque, create problems like too much clutch slippage? And heat?
Yes, it can, for a short time until the adaptive software increases the pressure for that shift. But wouldn't NOT installing the added torque also NOT decrease the life of the trans?

Originally Posted by Krewat
Of course it doesn't do anything for the PEAK torque capability of the transmission,.
That was my point.
 
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Old Mar 2, 2009 | 08:45 PM
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Originally Posted by cetmanhd
Thanks Mark. All things being equal, tranny is in good shape, never been towed with or abused, does that mean if I were crazy enough to do a bully dog triple dog extreme tune, intake, exhaust etc. Reported ft Lbs of around 800+, I will not totally incinerate the tranny the first time I romp on it?
I expect that being that far over the rated capacity of the trans it should still be able to handle that much torque once, maybe even twice, before ending up as scrap metal.

800 lb-ft time 1.9:1 torque ratio is 1520 lb-ft at the input shaft. That should be enough to destroy the trans in a pretty short time.
 
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Old Mar 2, 2009 | 09:19 PM
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Also remember that there is usually quite a large safety margin engineered into the transmission. 1100 ft-lbs is right at the limit for a stock late model 6.0. They would not cut it that close. There are plenty of 6.4 guys running around with alot of power on stock torqshifts.
 
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Old Mar 30, 2009 | 05:00 PM
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I guess I'll have to be carefull then. Keep my foot off the floor so to speak. Thanks to everyone for the input. So far, K&N FIPK intake, Bully Dog Triple Dog runnig tow/economy and the occasional Performance mode. Have not tried Extreme yet. Waiting on a pyrometer.
 
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Old Mar 30, 2009 | 07:33 PM
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the bully dog isnt the greatest for the tranny first. the k&n is the second piece of the puzzle that isnt the best. with ase im turning 130+hp and even running it hard i have no issues. alot of people are pushing 1000+lbs at the tires on a dyno that has been said to either inflate or deflate the numbers. that would put the flywheel power higher. the point being the tranny is stronger than what you think. i would say that a billet input shaft would be better than the stock but also a better tqconverter as well. these trannys are good up to the 500hp range which puts you into 1000-1200lbs tq area. much above 500hp i would start saving for a new tranny. as a side note to get to 500 hp you will need a fuel system, bigger sticks, bigger turbo etc etc. on a stock truck with a tuner i would worry more about the egts, hg's and egr. the tranny should be good
 
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Old Mar 31, 2009 | 10:29 AM
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Clarification from Lubbockguy

Thanks for the input. A little confused though. You don't like the Bully Dog nor the K&N? Why?
Also what does ase stand for?
When you say 130+ HP are you indicating over stock HP? What do you use for a tuner etc?
what does hg's stand for?

The rest I understand.
 
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