I see a lot about Suncoast and ATS, but I wonder how the BD-Power holds up. Any of you guys running one??



Ox

I might be going this route. I say might because I have heard of some people who had it and changed to suncoast. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif

They just don't garranty any real holding power .... Last I heard was 450 at the flywheel ...


Mac http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif

King D had there tranny for a while but switched out. From what he said, it was a decent tranny and held just fine then, but he couldnt get it just right. So he switched. My personnal opinion, they are way overpriced for the power rating they give.

the tranny did fine for the power i had on it at the time.problem i had was getting the internal pressures set just right for smooth driving in t/h mode.i feel if i would have been able to go to a bd installer that the tranny would have been much better.not sure it would hold for me what the suncoast is,but i do know of a very high hp max that is running the bd tranny and has yet to have any trouble.very good company to deal with they offered to do what ever it takes to make me happy.prolly worth another try....

King d-


Thank you for your insight, nothing beats hands on experience.





Ox

What about their shift kit and converter. Anyone running that combo? I need to research that option as I am only 4 or less hours from them.

They are using Transgo shift kit. I don't know who is building their converter.

They claim they build their own converter AND shift kit. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif

They claim they build their own converter AND shift kit. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif


Ask to see a copy of their phone bill and see how many calls to area code 626.

I really don't know Mike. This is just what I was told by them.

Tony


They very well could be doing something on their own now and i am not saying anything bad about them. I think they are a great outfit. I do know they have a lot of dealings with Transgo and get technical assits from them on a regular basis as do many good transmission builders (including myself).

They make their own converter....and I was told by a tranny tech there that it is a single disc.

Edited by: DIESEL 5

I just got an email saying they only had a stock replacement converter for the Allison! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif


FYI - Dave Dias from BD was the person who sent me the info...

Joe E


There is nothing wrong with a properly built single disc converter. You figure the factory converter bites less than 30%; a properly built single disc should bite close to 100%. That means you just tripled the apply area of your converter clutch. I am not saying the single disc is as good as a triple, but for people out there that are not hard on their trans, it is a very viable alternative. We all know who is hard on their trans here. I dare not name names for fear of the Junta.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Hug.gif

Mike, thanks. I actually realized that, but their implication is that it's only a stock equivalent converter... I asked about power handling, etc, and their one liner said: we only have a stock replacement - I interpret that to mean they have not done anything to address power handling...http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif

... So, who makes a good single disk? I know Suncoast does, but they say "For the stock or lower power levels " (whodat?). Who else offers a single disc which'll hold ~400+ rwhp? Is there much of a point to a single disc other than cost?

Joe E


The problem lies with you guys. You go into said shop and say " i need a converter to hold a hundred horsepower over what i have" Lets say this shop builds you a converter that holds it quite well. Well. you go out and find some more horsepower (natural thing to do) and you find out the converter you bought is not holding. Duh. You do not feel like spending more money for another converter. Converter shop says " ain't my fault". You have a dilema. Now remember that you bought the cheaper converter because you didn't want to spend money on the higher priced converter, or what ever the mod was. Who is to blame? If you even think about more horsepower in the future, buy big. This is not a flame or critisizm, just some real world facts.


mike

TTS single disc looks like an awsome piece. I say "looks" because I have not driven one personally. I have toured the facility and seen the manufacturing procedure. Meticulus attention to detail is how it is best described.

The problem lies with you guys. You go into said shop and say " i need a converter to hold a hundred horsepower over what i have" Lets say this shop builds you a converter that holds it quite well. Well. you go out and find some more horsepower (natural thing to do) and you find out the converter you bought is not holding. Duh. You do not feel like spending more money for another converter. Converter shop says " ain't my fault". You have a dilema. Now remember that you bought the cheaper converter because you didn't want to spend money on the higher priced converter, or what ever the mod was. Who is to blame? If you even think about more horsepower in the future, buy big. This is not a flame or critisizm, just some real world facts.


Mike,
I know where you're coming from, but I think you missed the point of my question, partially. I was inquiring as to the difference, besides price, of single vs triple. I realize triple is the max for power, but how much will a (good) single hold? Is it better for the tower/daily driver guy, and if so, why? Is there any difference in the way they function in relation to the entire drivetrain (ie typically higher stall?). You yourself said it's a very viable solution. I recall we covered this in another thread briefly, but I'm still dense... http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Embarrased.gif


Off topic - You're right that for most people the inclination is to build and then add even more power. However, I already had a second unit to stack on the Edge (Q165, which I coulda obviously upped to the Q215), and have decided I'm going to just run the Edge. I will probably upgrade to the 145 H/A, but I am 99.9% sure that is all I will do. I've already had the tuner to stack and have sold in my decision to stay where I am. I've come to that bridge and crossed it... I'm pretty content where I am, but want to be able to put the power down, particularly in top gear.


I know I've come across as "cheap" to you, and it actually is not how I am all - if you knew me, you'd know I overbuild everything I do. I'm currently putting together a tube bender to bend a few tubes, and my buddy couldn't understand why I "needed" a 100lb motor which draws 30amps @ 220v, and an oversized hydraulic ram, pump, etc. Of course I don't, but when in doubt build it stout... My Jeep has rear steer unimog / 9" axles, which I built myself in a project which cost me ~$10k last year, and I only made 1 wheeling trip.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cry.gif Point is, I know exactly where you are coming from, but also research the heck out of every decision I make, hopefully without being whiney or petty (which I suspect is your interpretation at the moment).


Hope that clears up a little for you. I do appreciate all your input, as always.


On topic - Trippin, thanks for the info. I will investigate them too... I wasn't sure if it was theirs, or a rebadged unit - now I know.

Joe E


My statement was a general statement from experience with some customers. I absolutely dont think you are cheap nor anyone else. My statement was only a warning of what all of us have done in the past and that is always looking for more power even when we think we are done with mods. I have been guilty of this as well.


mike

I am no expert. BUT I have been drag racing for the past 6 years, and one thing I have learned is dont upgrade at all if you cant go first class. It will ALWAYS cost more in the long (not always long) run. IMHO


I learned the hard way the first couple of years.$$$$$ The car ONLY has 685 ft lbs and broke about everything in the driveline.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif

I think that a quality single disk unit will hold very well for most of us.. Gotta remember, when you add that triple, your will likely build more heat as you have to drag them three big disks around in there. The stock unit, according to some well respected individuals, is only using about 30% of its capabilities. If you can improve it and make it use 95-100%.... Then you just improved your stock conv by 300%. The rest of the convertor is just fine. I think that some of the conv guys have messed with things in there, but not ( at least not asa priority) to improve strength

Gotta remember, when you add that triple, your will likely build more heat as you have to drag them three big disks around in there.


Guess your gonna have to explain this one to me.....


I thought the only time a clutch saw heat was when it was engaging.....and possibly releasing. The fact that there are three discs waiting to be engaged should add no heat....to the best of my knowledge. Not to mention we all know 3 are better than 1.....you can accomplish the same amount of surface area with less pressure having 3 discs.


IMHO....If a guy were taking the time and money to upgrade his tranny, I would think they wouldn't skimp on 200 or so and not put in a converter that would definitely hold the power as opposed to one that might not or he would still have to upgrade later....remember, this is just MY opinion.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Embarrased.gif

BD, those three disks are not 'freely' floating around in there, they are sandwiched between the steel plates and just a skim of oil seperates them,maybe a few thousands tops. That is what is building the heat, and too be honest, it may not be enough to even bring up. But, I (just me) think it may contribute to raised trans fluid temps.. I am sure that the boys that know may agree or disagree with me but thats ok.... I need to be schooled once and a while. I do agree with you though, the 200 is hardly worth skimping on when your talking potentially a few G's