I've read some of the posts about the Suncoast III and it seems like the way to go. BUT, does the tranny upgrade affect fuel economy? Or is it just because you drive it like you stole it afterwards? I did not know if there was an increase in drivetrain power loss or what? I have 3000 miles on my LLY, it has been really babied. A few easy trips to the Keys and to Tallahassee, Now with the Juice I want to have fun but be reliable and with rising fuel costs, I dont want to lose the added economy I received from the edge, but I dont want to be stranded with a baby, p-o'd wife, and boat on the side of the road because Mr. Allison. Should I take it up to suncoast since I live in Fl? How long does a stage III take to do, if they even do it in house?

If driven the same afterwords it should increase fuel economy. It is putting more power to the ground and should be overall more efficient.

I would take it directly to Suncoast and have it done since you live in Florida. It would be good to meet Joe Webb and see the operation. I don't think it would take over 2 days, and with an appointment, probably 1 day. Smoop, you can chime in anytime now http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif


mike

Is there a certain time to do the tranny? Do I have plenty of life in the tranny? Is it better to have it done early before any wear or wait until things are slipping a little to have the work done since the tranny is going to be upgraded anyways?





Thanks for the input!

best time is when you have the $, untill you have the cash dont play hard IMO. 35's will also be a bit harder on the trans then smaller meats IMO but nothing really bad.


If you just want to go mild then do it right away, most of the milder kits reuse the stockers if they are still good.


Waiting till you hurt it is ok but I definatly wouldnt try to smoke all the clutches before you do the upgrade.


JMO and its probably total craphttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Geek.gif

preesiate it

In my opinion you wait as long as you can, while keeping the funds in a safe place for that time. If I would have listened too those saying do it ASAP, I would have 65,000 miles on my seconds transmission instead of being on my first one. (I know; the upgrades weren't ready way back then, but you should get the picturehttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif ) I figure that in about another year or so, I'll need one, so I continue to wait.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif


I would expect the stock transmission to last for 100,000 miles under 100 extra power with the LB7, and less with the LLY. This is of course using your noggin most of the time.

Got Coin? http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif


Go for it, right out'a the box! If you have a good strong box and don't have a SunCoast...........you are really missing out. You really need to ride with someone that has a SunCoast tranny. The difference is almost like night and day. IMO............ it's like adding another 50 to 100 HP that gets to the wheels. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif





Burner------------> http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

I will say I was following behind disturbed durring a little "smoke parade" at JK's openhouse with his betta juiced LLY and my juiced truck. I was hanging good till we hit the high gears.....as soon as I hit 5th it was like somebody tied me to a tree.....he just walked away like it was no thing.


If your reading this Nate: Next time its on like Donkey Konghttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Rock On.gif

I have never rode in a truck with the suncoast. However; I would think that the ATS is somewhat similar to it, and I have rode in 7 of those including Mike Tomac`s truck at 130+ mph. So I know what I have, and I also know what I could have. And to me it just isn't worth it! At the cost I already paid for the transmission, why would I pay to have it tore apart and rebuilt while it is new or even in great working order? Make no sense I tell you, no sense at all.

I have never ridden in a ATS equiped truck but I have heard that they feel 100% different.


I agree with ya to a point, no sense rebuilding a good trany if its not needed. The reason I upgraded was because I want to add more power. If your going with a mild power adder I would say run it till it slips but have the $ squirled away in the event you need it. Probably wont but dont be supprised. If you want more than mild power you dont have a choice.


Although if you decide you are just going to throw a single disk converter and a transgo kit at it or lower level SC kit that uses factory clutches eventualy you might as well do it before you hurt anything since if your clutches are fine you can reuse em and save that $. If you are just going mild eventually it may pay to do it now.


It all depends on what you are doing, and what you want to do. We are on the same page, we just didnt know ithttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif

Philip- We shall meet again my friend.......we shall meet again.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif


How ya likin the trans so far?

Shure hope so, may get each other into troble though.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Evil Smile.gif


Just got the taps reset last night, the alli didnt have a clue what to do before that, it set off my abs coming to a slow stop a couple times on downshiftshttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif after she got put in fast learn it got with the program quick. Still havent gotten it trained so I'm holding off any coments till that time but I dont have any complaints really. Low throttle stuff is good, actualy a bit smother on the 1-2 shift I think than stock, I was never 100% hapy with how it shifted 1-2 under lite throttle. She does run hotter than it did before, I now have mobil 1 instead of regular dino dex. Dont know if maybe that has to do with clutches not seated and mated yet? Hasnt gotten over 200 but it pretty much gets a shade under that pretty quick and hangs there. It does appear to be running a tad cooler the more I drive though unless I am just nuts?http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gifonly have 200miles on it. Going to give her a full training this weekend anf change the spin.