Suncoast mpg/Euro, can't decide

Mountainman · **Posted:** Wed Apr 16, 2014 10:34 pm

I know, I know :5SHOTS:

The TC debate has been beat to death. But, I have only found one mention to mpg's in these discussions. I really want to go suncoast, but is there really an mpg penalty, and has everyone noticed a lot less vibration? I mean, that alone (less vibration) sounds to me like it could save everything from motor mounts to main seals, to drive shafts. But, since GDE uses and believes in the Euro, that is a huge vote for the less expensive option.

Any thoughts you all have on this would be greatly appreciated! I got the tune, and the shudder that comes with more torque, so I need to upgrade.

:JEEPIN:

Oh, and is anyone running the Suncoast without the transgo kit and the upgraded pump? I don't really want to get a tranny shop envolved.

thermorex · **Posted:** Wed Apr 16, 2014 10:47 pm

Dont even think about, go big or go home, get a Suncoast, it's the best. If you're on a budget, euro is also fine, but Suncoast for torque converters is like brembo for breaks, top quality and the best there is. My 2cents...

P. S. I didn't replace the pump, simply because I forgot to order it, so far, knock on wood, all good. I have the transgo kit on the shelve, I also didn't install it, I may do it when I do the tranny fluid change. Just don't install the resistor that comes with it, try searching the threads, I remember it was a good reason not to do it. Ron from Suncoast recommended transgo kit.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Thu Apr 17, 2014 6:55 am

Just had the Suncoast installed two weeks ago, completed over 1000 miles on it last weekend through mountains, back roads, dirt trails, creek crossings, etc. Not one bit of shutter or slippage encountered! Was running Stage II Hot tune and averaged a little over 25 mpg over all driving conditions.

Loaded Stage III Max tune yesterday and tested on highway, tried to make it shutter or slip in lockup between 55-65 and could not! TC held everything I threw at it! :BANANA:

Next test is to put a loaded trailer behind it and test!
I did have the front pump and Transgo Kit installed as was recommended by Suncoast and by my local transmission specialist who did the install. He stated there are parts in the front pump that do wear out, so I had it replaced.
I own two Suncoasts now, one in Dodge Cummins, other in Jeep CRD, they are the best there is IMHO.
This thing is a little race car now!! :JEEPIN:

DOC4444 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 17, 2014 7:10 am

90K miles on euro TC, so far. This includes 20K miles towing 5000 pounds. GDE HOT tune. No Transgo. Did not change pump. 140K total miles. So far, so good.

DOC

pwrwagn · **Joined:** Mon Jul 22, 2013 2:40 am **Posts:** 192

Mountainman wrote:

I know, I know :5SHOTS:

The TC debate has been beat to death. But, I have only found one mention to mpg's in these discussions. I really want to go suncoast, but is there really an mpg penalty, and has everyone noticed a lot less vibration? I mean, that alone (less vibration) sounds to me like it could save everything from motor mounts to main seals, to drive shafts. But, since GDE uses and believes in the Euro, that is a huge vote for the less expensive option.

Any thoughts you all have on this would be greatly appreciated! I got the tune, and the shudder that comes with more torque, so I need to upgrade.

:JEEPIN:

Oh, and is anyone running the Suncoast without the transgo kit and the upgraded pump? I don't really want to get a tranny shop envolved.

I am using the Suncoast without any other mods.

It works very well.

It did NOT hurt my fuel economy at all. One of the things that's different, is that due to it's lower stall, it has a little less torque multiplication, which makes the vehicle "feel" different at very low speeds. The engine lugs a little more when you're in 2nd gear and moving slowly.

I like the lower stall, mostly because at cruise around 50 (where it locks up) there's not much rpm change going into lockup (on the flat).

Mountainman · **Posted:** Thu Apr 17, 2014 10:47 am

alright, many thanks for the replies! I'm going to go suncoast. I figure if it helps motor mounts last longer, then I will get more life out of all sorts of other parts as well. Anyone have a ballpark figure for the pump and transgo install on the tranny? I guess I might try it, but auto trannies have always been the one thing that I don't want to touch again (long story about my 67 cougar). Is the pump an easy install, and then the kit I can worry about later when I do the filter? At 164k miles I don't want to cut any corners, I'll be driving this thing some 40 miles into the backcountry, and don't even want to think about it breaking down out there. :JEEPIN:

thermorex · **Posted:** Thu Apr 17, 2014 7:57 pm

I have never replaced the pump myself, or to others, but if I remember correctly, once you take out the transmission, it is a matter of taking out few bolts and replace the old pump with new one. You may also need a gasket, but not sure. There were some threads in the past about this, a Google search may even return few good results. Don't use the forum search, just do a Google on the lost Jeeps site. I think the fsm may have the details, but if it doesn't, do a Google for 545rfe pump replacement and I'm sure you'll get some info from the Dodge hemi folks, this transmission is also on those.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Thu Apr 17, 2014 8:16 pm

Mountainman wrote:

alright, many thanks for the replies! I'm going to go suncoast. Anyone have a ballpark figure for the pump and transgo install on the tranny? :JEEPIN:

I dropped a little over 1.2k for TC install which included new front pump, Transgo kit, and something like 15 qts ATF+4. This did not include the TC which was a separate cost. :roll:

papaindigo · **Posted:** Fri Apr 18, 2014 6:48 am

In April 2012 I paid $1,707 in Ft. Walton Beach at Suncoast for installation of their TC and the Transgo kit, did not replace the front pump, and tranny clutch pack inspection.

Mountainman · **Posted:** Fri Apr 18, 2014 11:29 am

Thanks for all of the advice everyone :rockon:

hmm, it sounds like if a peson was going to be happy with the Euro, that they should get one of the 2010+ (or whenever they started anodizing the wear parts) low mile junkyard trannies with the TC. Might save a bundle, but since you all have convinced me to go Suncoast, hmm. Wait, I could still get a low mile anodized/updated tranny and buy the Suncoast and maybe save a lot over a rebuild of my current one + suncoast + transgo. I mean, isn't it time at 164k miles if I want absolute reliability to rebuild my tranny, or swap in a low mile one?

mass-hole · **Posted:** Fri Apr 18, 2014 11:50 am

I feel like the suncoast would have the same or better mileage due to the lower stall. It would be more efficienty out of lockup. The only time it would be worse is if you did a lot of acceleation where you are spinning up the extra mass.

Mountainman · **Posted:** Fri Apr 18, 2014 2:11 pm

-Mass so, you're saying that it will get me better mileage driving slow on mountain roads!? That would be amazing because I spend a lot of time driving 10-25mph in the backcountry.

striperman36 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 18, 2014 3:27 pm

I have the SunCoast, definitely a nice TC for towing with the RAM TCM and the GDE EcoTune

thermorex · **Posted:** Fri Apr 18, 2014 11:45 pm

Mountainman wrote:

Thanks for all of the advice everyone :rockon:

hmm, it sounds like if a peson was going to be happy with the Euro, that they should get one of the 2010+ (or whenever they started anodizing the wear parts) low mile junkyard trannies with the TC. Might save a bundle, but since you all have convinced me to go Suncoast, hmm. Wait, I could still get a low mile anodized/updated tranny and buy the Suncoast and maybe save a lot over a rebuild of my current one + suncoast + transgo. I mean, isn't it time at 164k miles if I want absolute reliability to rebuild my tranny, or swap in a low mile one?

Thats not a bad idea, I heard about it, there is at least a company that does it and gives lifetime warranty for the transmission, they also replace the clutch packs with some crazy temperature resistant ones.

Mountainman · **Posted:** Sat Apr 19, 2014 12:34 pm

hmm, I'll have to do some digging. I better hurry though, I'm going to make my CRD haul the other CRD I'm buying 1000 miles on a tow dolly :JEEPIN:

Hopefully it's up to the task.

car0430a · **Posted:** Sun Apr 20, 2014 4:43 am

I have read multiple threads on here about torque converter issues which one is best etc etc. Well the time has come for me @ 151000 I need a converter. Today well trying to pass some A-hole the shudder kicked in, and really bad. Stopped as soon as I could, shut engine off re fired it up and it was gone. Problem being is of course I'm 1500 miles away from home.
If it happened at home well I know a transmission guy who would only charge for parts to use his shop to get it done. So first question is how long is it possible to drive theoretically after experiencing my first case of really bad shutter. Second I have about maybe half the tools to drop and replace it myself if needed well I have a few wrenches in the back. I know there are some good write ups on here about getting it done thank you to those who have taken time to do that for the good of the group. Anyone in the El Paso region done this on there own?

Suncoast mpg/Euro, can't decide

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