Why are the new engines getting more power only if they have the auto? Not that I can even think of buying a new one, but something like this would keep me from buying one. I may be one to the 40 people that don't want to have to mess with all the crap that goes with owning an auto. Are they trying to get people NOT to buy a 6 speed or what? Oh by the way, hello all. new member.

Whats the crap of owning an auto? I don't want to mess with all the crap of clutches and shifting.

I wanted a manual, could not find one--autos are everywhere and they were dealin!

All the "crap" I was talking about is the extra price up front, all the electronics plugged into the things, the more expensive maintanence costs, and fighting the computer because it shifts when I don't want it to. I realize alot of people like the automatic, but I think it's crap that GM won't let us that want a stick have it like we want. Dodge is the only company that will let you have a manual in any diesel truck they make. Ford won't let you have a manual in the King Ranch, Lariat LE, or the Harley models. I know opinions are like a**holes, but they should let up decide if we want to spend the extra 2 grand, not force it upon us.

It used to be that manual trans setups would hold more power than automatics, but with the development of the big Allison transmissions and that technology being downsized for pickups, we now have a situation where the auto can take more power. In fact, the smaller Allisons have been pushed so hard that they are releasing a whole new line of transmissions for light and medium duty trucks, next year I believe, with ratings for significantly higher HP and torque numbers.


I don't think it's so much a question of the actual trans itself, as it is the flywheel/clutch situation which hasn't seen nearly the improvements that the autos have.


That's pretty much what the GM Media web site says if I can be allowed to paraphrase.....http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gifEdited by: Zeeb

I personally am more impressed with the transmission than the Duramax. Don't get me wrong...I love this engine but I really LOVE the ALLISON! I think it takes something greaT AND MAKES IT BETTER.

So the tree we really need to be barking up is ZF's to get them to start updating their stuff? hmmm...

I don't know about that, I don't think ZF is responsible for flywheel/clutch assemblies are they?


From the press releases on the GM site, it sounds like those items are GM provided, and they don't feel there is enough demand for the manual trans to spend the R&D money on the weak link.

After my troubles with the NV4500, I replaced it 2 times and it blew up on the way to trade it in. I'll stick with the Allison thank you very much.


ROB

NV4500 is the 5 speed used in Dodge trucks with a Hemi. ZF makes the 6 speed found in both Ford and GM Heavy duty trucks. I guess that would be right that GM makes clutch, since they make the engine it bolts to...

Zeeb where can I find more info on this?





In fact, the smaller Allisons have been pushed so hard that they are releasing a whole new line of transmissions for light and medium duty trucks, next year I believe, with ratings for significantly higher HP and torque numbers.

There was a link to an Allison media web site with the information on it posted around here someplace. I think maybe it might have been Hoot who put it up.


Try searching for the post, if you can't find it, let me know and I'll see if I can locate it again.

Here ya go

http://www.allisontransmission.com/service/faq/index.jsp?CategoryID=11

turbo lcc,


That web site Kendall posted is a good FAQ for your trans. Check this thread for the link to the Allison site with the new trans announcement:


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4912&KW=Allison+changes


Turns out it was 04duramax who posted it....http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Embarrased.gif

NV4500 is the 5 speed used in Dodge trucks with a Hemi. ZF makes the 6 speed found in both Ford and GM Heavy duty trucks. I guess that would be right that GM makes clutch, since they make the engine it bolts to...





In 1995 my K2500 HD gasser with the 5.7 litre had an NV 4500 in it.What a POS that tranny was!


ROB

Speculation and a Big Fat Opinion


As I understand it the extra power is in 2,3,4th with the Allison and the LLY/A has controllable inlet vanes on the Garrett TC. It might be that once the tranny has safely made the shift the ECM turns the boost up for extra punch.


I'm not an automatic fan - I spend alot of time on narrow, poorly maintaned and/or snow covered roads. I feel it's easier to get out if you can choose the gears and in some conditions it's safer because you can see and think ahead where a computer controlled automatic tranny can't. In slippery conditions with a standard your first line of defence is often to get her in neutral. This you can do without ever touching the brakes and at times that brake peddle is your worst enemy - a sure fire way to end up in the ditch.


Dinger


LLY/ZF 2500HD 4x4 RegCab

NV4500 is the 5 speed used in Dodge trucks with a Hemi. ZF makes the 6 speed found in both Ford and GM Heavy duty trucks. I guess that would be right that GM makes clutch, since they make the engine it bolts to...


Dieseljockey


Well, to be completely accurate, GM didn't build the Duramax engine either. It is an Isuzu Motor, and a pretty D*mn good one too I might add. Most car manufacturers these days outsource most everything except the bodys of their vehicales it seems.


Zeeb is right, the Automatics of today are more popular and stronger than the Manuals are and so they get the money for Improvement. I was told that only 5% of the Duramax trucks sold are 6 Speeds, but the number of 6 speeds sold around here isn't even close to being that high! It is as close to 0% as you can get, even though it does cost $1200.00 more for the Auto.


My truck can be driven in any gear just like a manual too, so I feel like buying an Allison has given me the comfort of an Auto, more strength than a Manual, an extra hand to hold my lunch while I drive (no shifting) and a better resale value, because it seems to be the choice that (most) everyone else makes too, at least around here.


Having said that, I should say too that the people who have bought the Duramax with the 6 speed love their trucks as much (or more) than the rest of us do, so.... all it means is-


It's a personal Choice, nothing more.


Hey Dinger, you must have ordered your truck. I haven't seen but just one other Regular Cab truck in the Duramax Family! And with the 6 Speed it is a rare bird indeed! Very Cool.


Chris