Turbo 400 for our trucks

[Scrambler1]

best turbo 400 in the world click me

Agreed, great guy to deal with too!

 

[OSO]

I've had both. First I went with a Suncoast 48re, built as tough as they could build it... somewhere around 7k if memory serves. Great transmission for the short time that I had it, solid shifts and I wouldn't worry about it in the least for around 800 rwhp.

Now I did the TH400 conversion with a gearvendors. I changed to this because I ended up going much bigger with my build than I had planned and wanted a manual valve body and transbrake for track duty. Yes the adapter costs ~2k. The pieces from Donato are first class and all SFI rated. I've got over 10 grand in the adapter, trans, gearvendors and driveshaft. Add a few grand more for a custom console for the shifter etc. My truck is a quad cab, you have to buy the same parts regardless of it being a RC or QC.

I went this way because of how much power I'm going to be making, rough guess 1500 rwhp, and because I wanted a transbrake. For a more DD truck with less than 1000hp I'd just do a really built 48re and be done with it. Unless you're like Carl and converted a RC to an auto.

Did you kill any of the gear vendors units? Im on my 4th or 5th one.

 

[Dom426]

Did you kill any of the gear vendors units? Im on my 4th or 5th one.

i dont think scrambler has drove his truck with it!!!

 

[OSO]

i dont think scrambler has drove his truck with it!!!

Well than he should be having no problems

 

[Scrambler1]

i dont think scrambler has drove his truck with it!!!

Correct, haven't driven it since embarking on twin turbo build. There was some miscommunication between the shop that built the converter and Donato about what specs to build the converter to for the adapter. Happily the converter shop stepped up to the plate and is rectifying that as we speak. Once that gets back it's ready to start and be tuned.

OSO, that's a little disconcerting. Warranty is nice but that's still a nuisance. Are you killing them mostly on the street or at the track?

 

[OSO]

Correct, haven't driven it since embarking on twin turbo build. There was some miscommunication between the shop that built the converter and Donato about what specs to build the converter to for the adapter. Happily the converter shop stepped up to the plate and is rectifying that as we speak. Once that gets back it's ready to start and be tuned.

OSO, that's a little disconcerting. Warranty is nice but that's still a nuisance. Are you killing them mostly on the street or at the track?

Take a deep breath and read and over look the poor writing abilities.
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Both and heat is a major issue IT HOLDS HEAT BAD! They have a deep pan (1.5" deep) even so it bakes the fluid.

Biggest thing to watch out for is leaving it on when slowing down, as speed decreases so does the hydraulic pressure holding the clutches. With the trucks being so heavy the clutches will slip at lower speeds even if using the auto feature.

I had them reprogram the chip so that in auto it doesn't come on until 60mph and goes off at 40mph. They bumped up pressure to their 1200HP specs and have me using ATF in place of the gear lube.

Problem with the ATF is that it does not do well with heat , Just ask the guys at the CTGTG i think i sprayed everybody when i shifted the O/D on and it only last about two weeks (depending on mileage and usage). So again you have a pressure problem after the fluid is over heated.

I would like to use the gear lube again it shifted hell of a lot harder but they said that was another reason for the burnt clutches its thicker so it takes longer to disengage :dontknow:.

If you have a chance i suggest turning the vent hole away or shielding it from the exhaust. If you drive any thing like i do your going to heat the fluid and its going to vent. They say the vent tube is pressed in but they wouldn't change the direction for me. Warranty is good i recently called them told them i might sell they said they would check to make sure it was good and transfer the warranty to the new buyer and said the buyer could call them to verify.

This one was a month old when it failed and with me trying not to break it. If this one breaks im calling Keisler for a 6 speed.

 

[Scrambler1]

I don't agree with them telling you to use ATF instead of gear oil. ATF breaks down much over 200* and becomes useless. You're not the first person I've heard of with issues. I wouldn't think weight would be the real issue, they advertise them for use on 3500 diesels for towing.

I got the 1200hp model, hopefully I'll have better luck. Glad to hear that they honor their warranty, though if I have as many problems as you I'm going to lose patience eventually and chew someone out.

 

[redram10]

I've had both. First I went with a Suncoast 48re, built as tough as they could build it... somewhere around 7k if memory serves. Great transmission for the short time that I had it, solid shifts and I wouldn't worry about it in the least for around 800 rwhp.

Now I did the TH400 conversion with a gearvendors. I changed to this because I ended up going much bigger with my build than I had planned and wanted a manual valve body and transbrake for track duty. Yes the adapter costs ~2k. The pieces from Donato are first class and all SFI rated. I've got over 10 grand in the adapter, trans, gearvendors and driveshaft. Add a few grand more for a custom console for the shifter etc. My truck is a quad cab, you have to buy the same parts regardless of it being a RC or QC.

I went this way because of how much power I'm going to be making, rough guess 1500 rwhp, and because I wanted a transbrake. For a more DD truck with less than 1000hp I'd just do a really built 48re and be done with it. Unless you're like Carl and converted a RC to an auto.

hey can you post pic of ur custom console with the shifter

 

[OSO]

I don't agree with them telling you to use ATF instead of gear oil. ATF breaks down much over 200* and becomes useless. You're not the first person I've heard of with issues. I wouldn't think weight would be the real issue, they advertise them for use on 3500 diesels for towing.

I got the 1200hp model, hopefully I'll have better luck. Glad to hear that they honor their warranty, though if I have as many problems as you I'm going to lose patience eventually and chew someone out.

Thought about going back with manual gearbox lube just for that fact. The weight i don't think so much is an issue but driving it like its a sports car at 5400lbs and add in the split shifts on off etc.... it takes a toll. The split shift does work takes some practice but damn it works and is fun.

I doubt you will need the split shift with the amount of TQ you will be making but for us smaller v8 guy it helps get us up to speed

 

[Scrambler1]

hey can you post pic of ur custom console with the shifter

I'll make sure to include that when I post pics of it completed. I won't be back to the shop where it is until after new years.

 

[scoobert]

why not do the chevy diesel transmission, either a built allison or to save some cash a ***80E i cant think of the model right now, but my diesel 6.5 came with one. one other member used one i think. mine had 250,000 on it without a rebuild and was being pushed by a 300hp 600tq diesel. while towing a 10k trailer to Florida.

 

[SrtBrad]

bump ttt.