If I buy the Suncoast torque converter, do I need to go ahead and buy the 545RFE Mega-Kit? Or can I just do the Transgo with it?

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In this war of lines, so many have been crossed. Where will it all stop?

2006 Deep Beryl Green CRD Sport *SOLD 1/22/12*
Provent, V6 Airbox, Fumoto, Samcos, GDE ECO & TCM Tune, Euro JK TC, Magnaflow Catback
245/70/16 Destination A/T's
Boiler's Radiator Skid Plate
Jeepin' By Al 2.5 inch Adjust-A-Strut Lift, JBA Gen 4.5 UCA's (6/5/10)

Opinions are varied. Here's mine (and it conflicts with others)

The Suncoast converter appears to be more durable (at least heavier) than the stock converter. The stock converter had no problems with the gross torque output, it can handle a Hemi. But a Hemi has 8 cylinders and our CRD's have four. That makes for much higher torsional vibrations and the stock converter had difficulties handling that. (look at an engine as a series of explosions - a Hemi has double the number of explosions to make about a quarter more torque - therefore the CRD's explosions are stronger) So there's general consensus that the Suncoast converter is a good thing.

When it comes to shift kits, I'm the heretic in this group. I maintain that in a computer controlled clutch to clutch transmission like the 545RFE a shift kit is not needed and possibly damaging. Others point to their firmed up shifts after installing kits, call me a fool, and maintain that every driver and every transmission needs a shift kit. My semi informed opinion is that I know there are pre-programmed (and somewhat adaptable) parameters governing how each shift is executed. I believe that messing with a calibrated and tested system that doesn't appear to have a durability problem is not a good thing.

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2005 CRD Limited Flame Red w/ Renegade rock rails & light bar, AirLift 1000. 225/75R16 MT/R's on cheap black steel wheels, dual MOPAR subwoofers, Ipod kit & seat covers, Samco hoses - totaled and gone. 2008 WK Laredo 3.0L diesel - AirLift 1000, wife won't let me mess with it much. 2013 JK Sahara on order.

Well it's a big $$ difference. The Transgo shift kit is $62, and the performance clutch kit is $853. It's just that if I'm going to have someone pull the trans, I want to do it all at once rather than make a seperate trip later.

But I take it that what you're saying is that in the CRD application, the TC is the weak link, rather than the transmission as a whole.

_________________
In this war of lines, so many have been crossed. Where will it all stop?

2006 Deep Beryl Green CRD Sport *SOLD 1/22/12*
Provent, V6 Airbox, Fumoto, Samcos, GDE ECO & TCM Tune, Euro JK TC, Magnaflow Catback
245/70/16 Destination A/T's
Boiler's Radiator Skid Plate
Jeepin' By Al 2.5 inch Adjust-A-Strut Lift, JBA Gen 4.5 UCA's (6/5/10)

The clutch kit is for Hemis that have been kicked up over 400Hp. Getting a 2.8L CRD over 200Hp is an accomplishment. Salesmen will sell you any thing that costs money.
Sorry I can't remember the link or user name of the Guy who had the $853 Suncoast clutch kit installed in addition to the Suncoast Torque Converter, and Transgo shift kit. But he had problems and was not happy with the shop who installed the heavy duty Clutch Kit and dumped his CRD.

GMCTD has some good info in the CRD Tech Section on the Suncoast Torque Converter and the Transgo Shift kit. I will go with the Converter, new Mopar Pump, and maybe the shift kit, but not the clutch pack, too risky to get the clutch pact set up with out a guru level tech like Coal Cracker doing it, we don't need it for our engines out put.

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2006 Pearl Green CRD
Magnaflow 2 1/2" Cat Back
KJ Extra Leg Room Brackets, Carter Lift Pump, V6 Airbox, ORM
Fuel cooler, Oil Separator, Progard 7
Gauges EGT Boost Trans Temp Oil Pres, Michelin LXT AT2 245 70 R16
7,000# Draw Tight hitch, PML EX Deep Trans Pan
Centrifuge, SunCoast, Transgo, RAM TCM, InMotion Stage 2
Wife's 99 TDI VW Beetle