Best set-up

Not counting broken parts, it was a little less than 6k sitting behind my engine. If you can do your own trans work, it could be had for less.

There's nothing wrong with the trans, it just is simply not designed to handle the amount of power it takes to slide that rust bucket into the 12's without upgraded parts, at least not reliably.

3k may get you into the 14's, but that's still not a guaranteed reliable setup. Yes, cars can be made to go faster for cheaper. Nobody ever hot rodded a diesel pickup and thought to themselves "Hmm, that was an inexpensive endeavor" afterwards.
 
BayleeWatson07 said:
I heard it was a great transmission, as a matter of fact, I heard it was probably one of the best automatic transmissions that Dodge ever had. Maybe the guy who told me that was just an idiot, idk.
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He was.

Dodge auto trannies have improved leaps and bounds since then. Advances such as OD, electronic control, much improved internals for power handling and towing strength...
 
It's not that you can't make that truck runs 12s or faster (several on this forum do it daily), its the budget that's limiting you. The transmission is the limiting factor. It's going to take all of your budget plus some to build it enough to hold the power required. Despite what you may read, it takes a substantial amount of money to put one of these trucks into the 12s.
 
BC847 said:
His transmission can be built to take a beating from the Cummins. But as most of you may know, a lot of races are won in the 1st 60'. For me, If I'm gonna cut a decent 60', I've got to launch with around 20psig of boost.

I am not a professional drag-racer, but I have busted some transmission **** with 20psi leaving the line. And I'm running the dinky 12mm VE. It's not unexpected to have to invest $5 ~ $10k in a diesel transmission to have something survive that kind of beating and actually be reliable IMO.


It all comes down to "How fast/quick do you want to go?"


For $3k, shop around for a good 2nd Gen trans (47RH) and P-pumped engine. Swap it in. I reckon that would give you the best "Bang" (no pun intended) for your buck. :pop:
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Are you saying 5-10k to have it built?
 
BayleeWatson07 said:
The truck has 208,000 miles on it. I didn't know having a 12 second diesel ruined it's ability to be streetable. Maybe I should stick to the gas burners, cause I know plenty of people that have 11 second cars that they drive everyday.
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My heap has a little over 255,000 miles. My best quarter ET is 12.67 @ 6400lbs. I've driven it to the beach perhaps nine of the last 12 weekends enjoying close to 18mpg overall.
I've beat the chit out of it (busted all three stock/OEM transmission shafts with a NON lock-up converter). But I've also had to address that 20 year / 255,000 mile attrition. That was a good bit of the cost overall.

Fixing-up/maintaining old diesel trucks while making them go fast is expensive.
 
If you could scrounge another 2 grand your goal would be much easier to achieve.

Three in the trans and the other two for fuel, air and misc.
 
Well the trans work won't cost anything (my dad rebuilt transmissions for aamco for 10 years). it is strictly cost of parts.
 
BayleeWatson07 said:
Are you saying 5-10k to have it built?
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If you're gonna put the power of a built 12v through it, yes Sir. Billet/alloy shafts are gonna set you back almost $2,200 just to set the boxes on the counter. Unless you build your own custom planetaries, you're rather limited in the spur-cut gears. Switching to the newer helical-cut gears is gonna require modifying the carriers to run Torington bearings to survive the thrust.

Just like the gasser stuff speed costs.


If you must stick with the current engine/trans, invest in a quality, tightened converter with a good general rebuild (raising the line pressure a little) of the trans. Perhaps upgrade your existing turbo with a 60mm compressor wheel if not something like an HX35/hybrid with a 16cm exhaust housing. Bigger injectors (folks can and will go on, and on, and on about what's best). Better free flowing air intake, and exhaust. Sticky tires.

Get use to around 14something to a high 13something . . . . i guess.
 
displacedtexan said:
Thanks for putting my thoughts into nice words.
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LOL I agree with both of you on that one. My dad will say it his self that you should never take any transmission to aamco. But he is very knowledgeable about transmissions, and if he don't know something, then his best friend does.
 
If you are shooting for 12 second times I think finding a p-pumped motor and 47RH would be a money saver. Build the tranny, put in a set of studs and a couple gauges, and keep your eyes peeled for a cheap primary.
 
12s are within reach with a ve, injectors, air and a decent 47 rh trans.
 
Check out c12h26's build....he's went 13s on motor and 12s on spray, and it's pretty much a stock truck, just turned up. Stock 727 and converter too.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTe0s1F8hOo"]12.56@106.4 - YouTube[/ame]
 
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Bponci said:
12s are within reach with a ve, injectors, air and a decent 47 rh trans.
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If you lived closer to Brad he could simplify the process greatly. Bring him the truck, some money, and a pan of fried Italian Sausages. Save one sausage for Chloey(sp) the black lab though. She's in charge of security.
 
BayleeWatson07 said:
LOL I agree with both of you on that one. My dad will say it his self that you should never take any transmission to aamco. But he is very knowledgeable about transmissions, and if he don't know something, then his best friend does.
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You're gonna last here.

Take the advice, save some extra money and have fun.

Just remember. You can't have fast, cheap, and reliable.
 
Well since you said you would settle for less... 4" exhaust, intake set up, 3" intake crossover or intercooler set, s362, tuned pump, and tight converter would give you a decent set up. Stock injectors are plenty large to start with.
 
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