Boiling point: How much can your diesel auto trans handle?
A few weeks ago I posted a few articles about the breaking point for all the diesel engines- Threshold for Pain: How much can your diesel take?. Now it is the transmissions turn. Read on to see how much your transmission can handle, what it's weak link is, and what you can do to help it live longer with added power.
BOILING POINT, PART 1: HOW FAR CAN YOU PUSH YOUR FORD DIESEL’S TRANSMISSION?
As I have stated before, the Ford transmission behind the Powerstroke is pretty stout. Most people believe that the Allison is, but the Ford 6R transmission can handle a lot more power. Although the shift strategy could use a little more work.
BOILING POINT, PART 2: HOW MUCH ABUSE CAN THE ALLISON TAKE?
The first "medium duty" transmission put in our diesel pickups, the Allison has made a name for itself in the diesel world. What set the Allison apart from the rest was it's spot on electric shifting controls from the factory always putting you in the right gear at the right at time. Many others have to turn to a custom tune to get the same kind of telepathic shifting abilities.
BOILING POINT, PART 3: HOW LONG BEFORE YOUR DODGE’S AUTOMATIC CRIES UNCLE?
The transmission has always been the weak link of a Cummins powered Ram throughout the ages. Although the current 68RFE(being very similarly mirrored after an Allison 1000 even in gear ratios) is leaps ahead of previous Ram transmissions, it is still the weakest among the other three in terms of how much extra power it can handle. Although it is not that far behind the current Allison.
This article also touches on the less efficient torque converter with a higher stall speed behind the stock trans and how it effects how much torque you feel out of your Cummins. This has a major effect on how the truck accelerates when taking off from a dead stop in normal or "aggressive" driving. Adding an aftermarket triple disc TC with a lower stall speed will make a huge difference from stock.
Sorry Aisin guys, but you won't find ratings for your transmission here. Primarily due to the fact that Aisin's TCM(Transmission Control Module) cannot be tuned and the Aisin employs many "nannies" when a lot more power than stock is added. Essentially the torque management will go nuts to keep the added power in check.
Enjoy the read!
BOILING POINT, PART 1: HOW FAR CAN YOU PUSH YOUR FORD DIESEL’S TRANSMISSION?
As I have stated before, the Ford transmission behind the Powerstroke is pretty stout. Most people believe that the Allison is, but the Ford 6R transmission can handle a lot more power. Although the shift strategy could use a little more work.
BOILING POINT, PART 2: HOW MUCH ABUSE CAN THE ALLISON TAKE?
The first "medium duty" transmission put in our diesel pickups, the Allison has made a name for itself in the diesel world. What set the Allison apart from the rest was it's spot on electric shifting controls from the factory always putting you in the right gear at the right at time. Many others have to turn to a custom tune to get the same kind of telepathic shifting abilities.
BOILING POINT, PART 3: HOW LONG BEFORE YOUR DODGE’S AUTOMATIC CRIES UNCLE?
The transmission has always been the weak link of a Cummins powered Ram throughout the ages. Although the current 68RFE(being very similarly mirrored after an Allison 1000 even in gear ratios) is leaps ahead of previous Ram transmissions, it is still the weakest among the other three in terms of how much extra power it can handle. Although it is not that far behind the current Allison.
This article also touches on the less efficient torque converter with a higher stall speed behind the stock trans and how it effects how much torque you feel out of your Cummins. This has a major effect on how the truck accelerates when taking off from a dead stop in normal or "aggressive" driving. Adding an aftermarket triple disc TC with a lower stall speed will make a huge difference from stock.
Sorry Aisin guys, but you won't find ratings for your transmission here. Primarily due to the fact that Aisin's TCM(Transmission Control Module) cannot be tuned and the Aisin employs many "nannies" when a lot more power than stock is added. Essentially the torque management will go nuts to keep the added power in check.
Enjoy the read!
