Down to the Nitty Gritty concerning the Allison Transmission

45Colt45 · 10-30-2009, 10:44 AM

As I read through all of these posts I see a common trend, only 90 additional rwHP on stock tranny, don't waste your time on Transgo shift kit (have to take the entire tranny out anyways 01'-03'), and most importantly "TRANSMISSION FIRST" if you are planning on some real horse power/torque.

After reading and reading I have come to the conclusion that the tranny is the weak point, but it is confusing because I looked for six months before I bought my 02 and I found many trucks with all kinds of power adders coupled to stock trannys. With that being said here are a few questions for those of you with more experience than I.

- What is the advantage of running full sythetic in tranny/diffs/transfer case?

- How often should an individual change fluid in tranny: economy driving vs. extreme racing/towing?

- Is there an advantage to a deep sump finned tranny pan or finned diff pan?

- If you have a mild build 100-200 additional HP can you get away with only a torque converter upgrade?

- At what point in your upgrades is the tranny neccessary? (clarification) if you are adding power for economy "long flat driving" do you really need this upgrade as soon as more extreme situations "quarter mile racing, towing, or playing in the dirt"?

- If you have a basically stock truck or maybe just 50-75 additional HP, but you drive the heck out of it, or tow a considerable amount of weight, should you consider a tranny upgrade?

-Lastly, how do you decide what level of transmission upgrade you need?

Thanks everyone for the info, just a little confused on this end, I see trucks all the time with 120HP tunes, intakes, and exhausts on stock trans and they seem to drive fine, but I figured its all about the way you drive it, or how often you service it????

**scottdomine** · 10-30-2009, 11:04 AM

I'm sure that driving habits have a lot to do w/ how long your stock trans will last. The Allison trans is fantastic when kept to it's original specs, but if you're adding power and aren't afraid to use it, then it's not gonna last. I run a PPE on level 2 and sometimes 3. I have a little fun at lights and such and tow an enclosed trailer w/ my stock car in it (about 8,000 lbs) up the mountains here in AZ (on level 1 only when towing) and have never had any problems at all. I've been running this setup for 3-4 mos and everything seems just fine, but most of my driving is "normal" light-footed stuff. It's only once in a while that I feel the need for putting it to the floor. Many go by the moto, "you have to pay to play" and I couldn't agree more.

**Dirtbikindad393** · 10-30-2009, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 45Colt45

As I read through all of these posts I see a common trend, only 90 additional rwHP on stock tranny, don't waste your time on Transgo shift kit (have to take the entire tranny out anyways 01'-03'), and most importantly "TRANSMISSION FIRST" if you are planning on some real horse power/torque.

After reading and reading I have come to the conclusion that the tranny is the weak point, but it is confusing because I looked for six months before I bought my 02 and I found many trucks with all kinds of power adders coupled to stock trannys. With that being said here are a few questions for those of you with more experience than I.

- What is the advantage of running full sythetic in tranny/diffs/transfer case?
Short Answer; Synthetics have less friction and can withstand higher heat before breaking down. They also handle severe cold temps much better.

- How often should an individual change fluid in tranny: economy driving vs. extreme racing/towing? That depends on the fluid and how much extreme driving is done. If your using Synthetics I would change it every 50k for the extreme driving part. If using conventional every 25k.

- Is there an advantage to a deep sump finned tranny pan or finned diff pan? The advantage to both is that you increase the fluid capacity by 3.5 qts in both the trans and rear diff. More fluid means better able to handle and disperse heat and will help extend fluid change intervals.

- If you have a mild build 100-200 additional HP can you get away with only a torque converter upgrade? You can do it but will it keep your trans from slipping probably not. The TC is the weak link after that the clutches in the trans are the weak link.

- At what point in your upgrades is the tranny neccessary? (clarification) if you are adding power for economy "long flat driving" do you really need this upgrade as soon as more extreme situations "quarter mile racing, towing, or playing in the dirt"? At the point you go over approx 90 HP added to stock.

- If you have a basically stock truck or maybe just 50-75 additional HP, but you drive the heck out of it, or tow a considerable amount of weight, should you consider a tranny upgrade? Most likely yes. The weight and towing will eventually get to your trans as well as the driving the heck out of it. It will take longer to slip but once it does its done.

-Lastly, how do you decide what level of transmission upgrade you need? By how much power you want to add and need the trans to hold unless money is no object then just got for it all the first time.

Thanks everyone for the info, just a little confused on this end, I see trucks all the time with 120HP tunes, intakes, and exhausts on stock trans and they seem to drive fine, but I figured its all about the way you drive it, or how often you service it????

See answers in red above.

Yes its the way you drive it! Most people get the power and can't drive the same way as when they didn't have power.

Hope that helps some.

floridamax · 10-30-2009, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottdomine

I'm sure that driving habits have a lot to do w/ how long your stock trans will last. The Allison trans is fantastic when kept to it's original specs, but if you're adding power and aren't afraid to use it, then it's not gonna last. I run a PPE on level 2 and sometimes 3. I have a little fun at lights and such and tow an enclosed trailer w/ my stock car in it (about 8,000 lbs) up the mountains here in AZ (on level 1 only when towing) and have never had any problems at all. I've been running this setup for 3-4 mos and everything seems just fine, but most of my driving is "normal" light-footed stuff. It's only once in a while that I feel the need for putting it to the floor. Many go by the moto, "you have to pay to play" and I couldn't agree more.

Great, Greeat questions man. Thanks

**Meyerperformance** · 10-30-2009, 11:37 AM

For what trans you want, it depends how far you want to take your truck. For the most part a Stage III will handle anything the stock engine will handle.

Rickytree · 10-31-2009, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floridamax

Great, Greeat questions man. Thanks

I agree

I like your sig. Not a bad deal Lose the wife. Get the truck of your LIFE. Just got my truck and can't wait to treat it out for a sweet upgrade. I think I might be in LOVE!

Specialized89 · 10-31-2009, 04:24 PM

So if you are supposed to upgrade your transmission after an additional 90HP, does that mean you should be upgrading it if you are running lets say a 90HP tune and an intake, exhaust(no cat or muffler) and other small modifications like a boost valve and some other small power adders? Because that equates to a bit over an additionl 90HP.

45Colt45 · 11-03-2009, 09:23 AM

It is pretty confusing I agree Specialized 89, I have a neighbor who has an 06 with intake, exhaust, and a 225 HP tune on a stock tranny, and he claims that he has run that since 2007 without any difficulties and he occassionally pulls a 30ft travel trailer. It looks like he only uses the truck about twice a week so maybe he has put 20,000 miles on the entire package but it seems hard to believe that only an additional 100 HP will kill your tranny.

Even as it is hard to believe though, I am personally going to err on the side of caution:
90HP Tune, intake, turbo horn mod, exhaust, engine brake, on a stock tranny. After I save up I will upgrade the tranny and then keep going with it from there.

**IdahoRob** · 11-03-2009, 10:01 AM

Remember tuners claims on HP are all different. Some at the crank, some at the wheels, but most over rated.

Give me a call and I'll talk through your questions. Over the years, I've tried almost every form of tranny upgrade in steps and know what power levels these upgrades fail at.

45Colt45 · 11-04-2009, 04:44 PM

Pretty interesting information I recieved today!

I called a regional dealer and got connected with the service side of Allison Transmissions, the headquaters back in like indianna or something. Gave them the model number and the series of transmission I have and asked them some basic information about transmission limits. I am positive that these are conservative but something to think about.

Allison Rates the 1000 series transmission to handle 340HP and 550Ft Lbs of torque.

Looking the specs up on my truck tells me that my 2002 LB7 came with 300HP and 520Ft Lbs of torque from the factory. So by there specifications I can safely add 40HP, and 20 Ft Lbs of torque.

I realize that many of you have been doing this for WAY longer than I and know what the true limits of the transmission are but this is certainly interesting.