Aftermarket CRD TC/Tranny/TCM Info

chrispitude · **Posted:** Fri May 11, 2007 9:49 am

Tell us more! I'm especially interested in driving impressions as far as turbo lag (pulling through intersections) and stop and go traffic (does it want to "chug forward" too much?).

Is there anyone who's had the Suncoast TC upgrade done within a reasonable driving distance of eastern PA?

- Chris

Pablo · **Joined:** Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:06 pm **Posts:** 1201

Just got the Suncoast installed. Local mechanic did a good job... except I fogot to tell him to top off only with ATF+4. I got home and looked at the invoice and notice it now has a few quarts of Valvoline Maxlife Dextron III in it :evil:

They will not be open till Monday...

Valvoline site says it is a universal fluid and accepted for use in Chrysler vehicles-- but it does not say synthetic and they make their own ATF4 so I am not buying that.

So tomorrow I am off to find someone who will change the fluid out to ATF4 or...

I am thinking about just buying 15 quarts of ATF4 from the dealer in the gallon containers, unhooking the tranny cooler line, and turning on the engine and letting it pump it out the hose to the tranny cooler. Not sure if that is good to get it out or not though. I don't know if I should keep adding fluid as it runs out or run it dry and then add or what. Also, do I need to put it in drive to get the fluid out of the Torque Converter? I have only driven the Jeep home, so I don't think it has been hurt, but I don't want that crap in my tranny. Any ideas you can give me on how to change this without dropping the pan would be great...

Oh and the Torque Converter seems to be... very firm. I feel the other one was much looser (F37). Stepping on the brake, turning down the ESP and giving it a good stomping will light everything up real good around 1500. I let off the brake and had rubber for a good 45 feet. I could do that stock, but this thing feels firmer when it locks up and after shifting, that is for sure. Some might find it too firm, but it is brand new. I can see now why you might get much better mileage with it-- being locked so much.

Since I am trying to put on the lift this weekend, I will not be able to give mileage results
:cry:

KenJennings · **Posted:** Fri May 11, 2007 10:47 pm

Well, unless we find out there's a hidden surprise waiting for Suncoast TC users I think I'll be adding this to my short list of mods to do when the extended warranty runs out.

spencevans · **Posted:** Fri May 11, 2007 11:19 pm

KenJennings wrote:

Well, unless we find out there's a hidden surprise waiting for Suncoast TC users I think I'll be adding this to my short list of mods to do when the extended warranty runs out.

Same here. Hey do we have any milage reports yet?

Ranger1 · **Joined:** Mon Oct 17, 2005 7:40 pm **Posts:** 1137

Quote:

I am thinking about just buying 15 quarts of ATF4 from the dealer in the gallon containers, unhooking the tranny cooler line, and turning on the engine and letting it pump it out the hose to the tranny cooler. Not sure if that is good to get it out or not though. I don't know if I should keep adding fluid as it runs out or run it dry and then add or what. Also, do I need to put it in drive to get the fluid out of the Torque Converter? I have only driven the Jeep home, so I don't think it has been hurt, but I don't want that crap in my tranny. Any ideas you can give me on how to change this without dropping the pan would be great...

I use a 2.5 gallon bucket, with quart markings on it to flush mine. I disconnect the tranny return line from the tanny cooler and slip a plastic hose to it into the bucket. On the 545RFE, the pump is running in park, so you can drain it with the engine at idle. I drain 2 quarts, stop, add 2 quarts, then drain 2 more until I flush at least 14 quarts through it. This way, you'll get the fluid in the TC as well. At idle, the fluid comes out fairly fast, will drain 2 quarts in a a minute or less.

WallyWorld sells ATF+4 in both Mopar and SuperTec brands. ATF+4 is now made under license so you can get it for $2.97 a quart there. If you must have Mopar, at the same store its 4.45 a quart.

I find the SunCoast TC to have much less slip than the stock Chrysler tc. It's not too firm on mine, but its still adjusting and the TransGo kit really improved the shift behavior. Also, when starting out at an intersection, the SunCoast tc gives me instant power, it now scoots across intersections - before, it felt like massive turbo lag after the power detune.

I don't do brake lock burnouts so can't comment that aspect. But this SunCoast just stays connected so much better than the old tc replacement. That slipping on acceleratiion when merging into Interstate traffic is gone - just smooth power delivery as it should be. Very pleased with it.

Pablo · **Joined:** Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:06 pm **Posts:** 1201

Ranger1 wrote:

Quote:

I am thinking about just buying 15 quarts of ATF4 from the dealer in the gallon containers, unhooking the tranny cooler line, and turning on the engine and letting it pump it out the hose to the tranny cooler. Not sure if that is good to get it out or not though. I don't know if I should keep adding fluid as it runs out or run it dry and then add or what. Also, do I need to put it in drive to get the fluid out of the Torque Converter? I have only driven the Jeep home, so I don't think it has been hurt, but I don't want that crap in my tranny. Any ideas you can give me on how to change this without dropping the pan would be great...

I use a 2.5 gallon bucket, with quart markings on it to flush mine. I disconnect the tranny return line from the tanny cooler and slip a plastic hose to it into the bucket. On the 545RFE, the pump is running in park, so you can drain it with the engine at idle. I drain 2 quarts, stop, add 2 quarts, then drain 2 more until I flush at least 14 quarts through it. This way, you'll get the fluid in the TC as well. At idle, the fluid comes out fairly fast, will drain 2 quarts in a a minute or less.

WallyWorld sells ATF+4 in both Mopar and SuperTec brands. ATF+4 is now made under license so you can get it for $2.97 a quart there. If you must have Mopar, at the same store its 4.45 a quart.

I find the SunCoast TC to have much less slip than the stock Chrysler tc. It's not too firm on mine, but its still adjusting and the TransGo kit really improved the shift behavior. Also, when starting out at an intersection, the SunCoast tc gives me instant power, it now scoots across intersections - before, it felt like massive turbo lag after the power detune.

I don't do brake lock burnouts so can't comment that aspect. But this SunCoast just stays connected so much better than the old tc replacement. That slipping on acceleratiion when merging into Interstate traffic is gone - just smooth power delivery as it should be. Very pleased with it.

Many thanks. I don't usually do burn outs either. Was just curious as I was getting two torque converters in the vehicle in a few weeks (F37 vs Suncoast) and need to get tires soon anyway, so I figured might as well. As soon as I get the lift put on, I will do the tranny flush myself.

AZScout · **Posted:** Mon May 14, 2007 1:35 am

The Suncoast TC sounds very promising and will probably be the next thing I look into. You guys are saying it locks up the TC sooner. Would it be any different for me since I am in OD lockout for anything under 55mph? I know it is beefier. I was just wondering if this mod is good enough to get now, or should I just wait for the stocker to go out and then upgrade. I'm really interested in the Transgo also. Ranger1's post just made me so happy.

Thanks!

Zonie · **Posted:** Mon May 14, 2007 11:33 am

The Suncoast TC, a new pump and the shift kit are next on my list! Gotta budget it, though.
Could someone give me an estimate of parts & labor so I can plan?

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Mon May 14, 2007 12:17 pm

Prices are on the website

http://www.suncoastconverters.com/Jeep/jeep_products.html

695 for the converter - 62 for the shift kit

I don't have a link for the pump - but thats a Dealer item.

Install is your local shop - so that varies

retmil46 · **Posted:** Mon May 14, 2007 12:27 pm

Figure around $270 for the new pump and cover that goes with it. Considering the varying labor rates between shops and areas of the country, budget at least $2000 for the whole package out the door.

One thing that helps - now that ATF+4 fluid is being made aftermarket, the 14 quarts of tranny fluid it will take can be gotten for around $3/quart at Advance or Wally World now.

chrispitude · **Posted:** Wed May 16, 2007 10:16 pm

You guys with the Suncoasts have been real quiet. How is it working for you? I don't know about others, but I check here once a day, waiting to see enough positive comments that I should spring for this myself.

- Chris

Zonie · **Posted:** Wed May 16, 2007 10:22 pm

Ditto! How about a report?!

retmil46 · **Posted:** Wed May 16, 2007 10:27 pm

Unfortunately, mine's been put on hold for the time being.

Freightliner is threatening another layoff July 10th, and it will go far enough back as far as hire date to include me. Until that situation sorts itself out, I'd best pull in my horns - that $1800 might be needed for other things.

gonediesel · **Joined:** Sat Jul 09, 2005 3:26 pm **Posts:** 4

Any more info ride reports on this upgrade?

spencevans · **Posted:** Thu May 17, 2007 10:28 pm

Fuel mileage anyone?

Ranger1 · **Joined:** Mon Oct 17, 2005 7:40 pm **Posts:** 1137

Haven't burned through a tankful yet. Been busy working on adding an auxillary tranny cooler, boost and egt gauges. I've made several trips around town and backroads but still less than 200 miles. Won't be doing any significant road miles until June.

I've noticed that the TC engagement is so much better than what I had that turbo lag seems to be a non issue now. What has really pleasantly surprised me is the level of powertrain noise reduction - the new TC really quieted it down. Shifts are dramatically better on hard acceleration. I never did the SunCoast for mileage improvement - if it works out, it's just an added bonus.

chrispitude · **Posted:** Fri May 18, 2007 12:33 pm

Sir Sam wrote:

DZL_LOU wrote:

Stan Wright wrote:

Is there a P/N for the new pump and cover plate?

I was one of the first to have the redesigned pump and plate cover in August of 2006. The part number that showed on my RO was 68009879AB.
A picture of it is in several threads on this forum, one is on CRD TSB's.
I can repost the picture if need be.

I think this would be a good place to repost that info.

You can find information on the revised pump in the following threads:

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/vie ... c&start=75

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/vie ... sc&start=0

- Chris

Pablo · **Joined:** Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:06 pm **Posts:** 1201

I would tell you more about my experience... but my CRD is still sitting up on jackstands waiting for me to find some time to finish the lift,tranny flush, oil change, and what not. If I can get it together before memorial day weekend-- I intend to drive it on an extended trip. Because of the lift going on at the same time, I will not have before/after mileage numbers.

spencevans · **Posted:** Fri May 18, 2007 6:25 pm

Pablo wrote:

I would tell you more about my experience... but my CRD is still sitting up on jackstands waiting for me to find some time to finish the lift,tranny flush, oil change, and what not. If I can get it together before memorial day weekend-- I intend to drive it on an extended trip. Because of the lift going on at the same time, I will not have before/after mileage numbers.

Which lift?

RedStapler · **Joined:** Fri May 11, 2007 10:04 am **Posts:** 77

Today I had lunch with my mother who is the office admin for the university motorpool here in Reno.

After lunch and touring the shop I was talking with the head mechanic about the TC failure rates on the CRD relative to 1500 RAM with a HEMI.

He offered an interesting observation. The camshaft vibration on any 4 cylinder is going to be worse that a 6 or 8, but more so with a diesel and its high compression ratios creates more stress & vibration that a larger gas engine with the same amount of torque.

Aftermarket CRD TC/Tranny/TCM Info

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