Cummins Auto, Which Aftermarket one is the best?

My 2000 needs a new trans, shes gonna go and i want to replace it before that happens, Im looking at an ATS stage 4 Trans. I know alot of people sware by Ats thats why im looking to go with them, but ive heard alot of good about suncoast and a few others. What do you guys think about this? Im looking to give the truck some more power besides the little things i have. Im looking at injectors and turbo for sure probably a water/methanoal injection too. i tow time to time from boats to flad bed trailers. The ATS stage 4 Trans says it hold 450-600 HP. i think that should be enough. Gimme some input please!!!!

 

I wouldn't go with ATS. They make good products but must dip them in gold for the amount of money wanted for them.

Any of the trans guys can build you a great trans. Suncoast isn't bad, I've got their valvebody, but I would probably go with Goerend personally. He beats everyone out on prices.

 

Basically i just dont want to have to buy a tras again for a long time. i know the ATS can be expensive (the stage four with the copiolit flex plate and torque converter i fould for 5600) but if it will last, ill pay....... the Goerend that you speak of, is that a dealer or the make of trans, ive never heard of them. im still doing some research of my own and lookin through here to see what other people have done. i read DIESEL POWER MAG and it seems that Almost everone has the ATS..... so thats why i was askin.

thanks for the help/info

 

Suncoast is good, and close to you (less shipping)
Goerends is good too. Better warranty.
HTS is pretty good as well.
BD builds so good transmissions.
I would recommend not using ATS.

Lets talk about power. I see you have the Edge, nothing else? Planning on anything else? With your location, i would stick with Goerends or Suncoast. Probably be less money than that ATS will be, and run with fewer problems.

 

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Builder, like ATS, Suncoast, ect.

No offense here, but that don't mean anything. Look at alot if the trucks in there. They mostly have Banks and ATS stuff, cause they both spend alot of money advertising in that publication. Also, you don't read about the number of burnt up transmissions and other problems the owner has had. Out of the 2 trucks I have published in Diesel Power, the only ATS product on them was an exhaust manifold on the F550, and the Arc Flow on the 06 Mega Cab.

Do your research. You will find nothing bad about Goerends anywhere that I have found yet.
Suncoast, well, even I have had issues with on my 06. But 700+hp can do that.

 

As i posted, I will be adding my fass fuel pump on, but bigger inectors and turbo(s) and maybe water/methanol injection after i get the trans. Im not sure if im going to build the **** out of this truck or keep this one reasonable and get another cummins and but that one....... but the one i have now will probably be towing the other one

If i do keep building this one it will get all the above plus more like hot rod vp44 probably intercooler..... but for now just what i have plus inectors and turbo...

how much HP is the suncoast rated for? do they make differnt stages? why is ATS so bad besides the prices?

thanks guys

 

I can go on and on and on about ATS. No need to kick a dead horse. Lets just say that I have had several bad problems with their products personally here in the shop, and have had several customers tell me how they wish they had spent their money elsewhere.

As far as the Suncoast, well, they do have a race transmission. I have one in my 06. Unlimited HP, unlimited miles, 1 yr warranty. If you can break, they will fix it. I know, I have been down that road. They are in Ft Walton Beach, not too far from you. The race transmission includes -

Race VB
Billet input, output, intermediate
billet Drum
Billet accumulator piston, bad strut and anchor.
Full faced band
High energy frictions
Kolene steels
3 disc converter

Now, thats a spendy transmission, but it will hold alot. Mine shifts from 2nd to 3rd at WOT and rips the tires (35") loose.

 

point taken about the advertising and whatnot in DP, my next question dealing with this is should i change out the stock flex plate, im goin to i think, if i have everything apart seems like the right time to do it.

id imagine 700+ hp could do alot, i woudnt know, yet

im looking around right now and gonna email goerend and see what they recommend for me....

thanks

 

Coming from me that has already done a "built" trans and has things I'd do differently over again...

1. Don't have a shop do a rebuild and just add in the big converter and valve body. A sloppy builder can make all the difference in the world, and there are little things in the internal build that Suncoast/ATS/blahblah does when they build them.

2. Don't build the trans for what you currently have, or even build around thinking you'll never add any more power. I am currently suffering from this mistake. My billet SINGLE Disk converter is a decent unit, but it barely holds my Edge Juice on HOT and I can forget adding more power.

3. Go for the billet input shaft, unless you plan to NEVER really race at the truck, sled pull, or really pull around some heavy trailers.

You are better off shooting for the biggest and baddest that you can afford, or you will likely eventually have to do it all over again, like I'll likely be doing in a year or two.

Oh, please post a pic of your truck, I'm a sucker for the real sports, and one with real mirrors and cab lights.

 

Dave's a good guy! I have one of his transmissions inbound for a customer. Soon, I hope. Need to schedule him in. . . .

Yes, do the flexplate. Thats a necessity if you plan to be over 450hp.

How about a rough HP goal? You can see 550 in no time if you build it right. Its really not hard to do. Just plan ahead and do everything right the first time.

 

Dave Goerend hands down.....great guy to deal with good fast service. awsome warranty and better prices

 

I have heard alot of good things about Goerend Brothers stuff on the net and if I had an auto that is who I would be calling if I needed a trans.

Harley

 

i called dave and he got me hooked up, thanks for all of your input, cant wait to get all the power to the ground. check out my new pics too.

 

You will be happy with it! I have yet to have a complaint with anything of Daves. Good move!

 

I have a VB/TC in my truck from Dave Goerend. Idontcare909, let us know how you like that new trans! waytogo

 

Trans Pics

so here are a few pics from the trans install, me and a buddy started at about 7 AM and finished about 430PM. Took a little longer than planned, but got it done. I was amazed at how cheaply made the stock flexplate is made. looks like something that belongs on a honda civic. The torque converter was heavy as hell. but looked great. i used royal purple fully synthetic oil. The trans was all i expected, shifts great and i can do a real burn out now I love it, it was a lil espensive but it should last a while. I ended up getting the billet flexplate, torque converter, input, output, mid shaft, double deep pan. Any questions, comments ill take em. i would recommend daves trans to anyone who wants to play!

 

Right on! Looks like you are ready for some power now!

Dave's trans rock. Less warranty work for me. . . .waytogo

 

So i had some time and figured i'd do a lil typin. It's been about 7 months with the trans, and i have had no trouble what so ever. Everything works great and shifts well. even with my juice on 5, there is no sign of slipping or anything. trans shifts well, not realy hard (which is nice) but you do know its shifting. The trans seems to like all the power it can get. So once i get my injectors and turbo i think that the trans will just eat up there power and spit it to the ground.

so i hope this aims some people towards the right direction for buying a trans!

 

I dont think the Goerand warranty can be beat by anybody, not even Dodge!!! And Dave knows his stuff and will talk you ear off if you keep asking questions. He doesn't build "stages" he builds what you need based on your intended usage and horsepower level. Great produst and service!!waytogo

 

Absolutely! Dave's got a great set up all around. I have one of daves transmissions in a customer's truck he built for the 450hp range that is still holding up to around 600hp.