2012 hemi express daily driver non racer installed 2600 stall Edge tc!!!

[bskl76]

2012 hemi daily driver installed 2600 stall Edge TC!!!

Hey everybody, I recently installed 2600 stall Edge torque converter on my daily driver. I called @10 transmission shops for estimates on labor for 2wd install ranging from $200 to $500. Finally found shop that would install tc for $200 even. Also had to buy 4 quarts of atf4 for install. The tranny shop happened to be one of the oldest shops in town. Anyways, here's the goods

I have 2012 hemi ram 1500 quad cab express 2wd, mufflex dodm80, Y pipe replaced, 85mm Fastmann TB, DS trinity with canned tune, BT catch can, 2"/4" mcgnaughly deluxe drop, (maybe headers in future)

My main objective of edge tc was to have my dd truck run efficiently, all of us know our hemi engines produce @390hp but we don't get all those ponies to the tires, unbroken on dyno stock @285hp. In my research, I have discovered our oem tc are crap. We are getting major power loss in our drivetrain. After edge tc install I was impressed as I noticed a immediate difference on the but dyno & visual inspection of tachometer. The butt dyno noticed better throttle response(recently read thread you can adjust this with tuner) but with no tuner adjustment. Butt dyno also noticed truck was quicker off the line, when stomping on throttle, noticed there was more power @3000rpm than before tc was installed @3000rpm. I dont know if I'm explaining this properly, power at @ 3000rpm after tc install was more than power @3000 rpm before tc install even though same rpm.
The visual difference I noticed on tach, when stomping on gas & truck is running through gears, the rpms stay up especially in lower gears. When truck shifts from 1st to 2nd to 3rd, the rpm's stay revving/high & don't drop & than rev up. I know thats the new tc doing that. also, so far I'm getting better mpg's as well in city when I'm not stomping on gas. Will have better idea on mpg's more I drive it & do trips I have done before tc install so I can compare highway mpg's. So anyone thinking about it, do it! You wont regret it, hands down one of the best mods I can feel! Almost want to say it's better than DS tuner.

Sorry guys, I dont have picture of new tc cause i was to excited to get it installed. How do you post pics? I have pics of oem tc that I can post & explain the visual differences I noticed between edge & oem tc.

 

[WhiteExpress]

PhotoFail! Sounds like a great experience with the new Torque Converter.

You'll have to either attached the pictures to your post, or upload them to an online photo host like Photobucket of Picasa.

 

[HOTRODHARLEY]

The OEM TC aren't "crap" as you put it for efficiency. The OEM peeps put countless hours of designing and testing into these parts. Performance wise they are crap yes. Stall speed is slippage. Slippage is the complete opposite of efficiency.

 

[bskl76]

OEM tc lover.

The OEM TC aren't "crap" as you put it for efficiency. The OEM peeps put countless hours of designing and testing into these parts. Performance wise they are crap yes. Stall speed is slippage. Slippage is the complete opposite of efficiency.

Hey hotrodharley, If my oem tc is more efficient than edge tc, why am I getting better mpg's with edge tc? If you talk to Andre at edge he will explain in detail oem tc is crap, and back up his claim. Just because, as you put it "oem peeps put in countless hours of designing & testing" doesn't mean jack(Ex. recent recall on ram trucks oem steering rack) After countless hours of designing & testing they got it wrong.

 

[HOTRODHARLEY]

Hey hotrodharley, If my oem tc is more efficient than edge tc, why am I getting better mpg's with edge tc? If you talk to Andre at edge he will explain in detail oem tc is crap, and back up his claim. Just because, as you put it "oem peeps put in countless hours of designing & testing" doesn't mean jack(Ex. recent recall on ram trucks oem steering rack) After countless hours of designing & testing they got it wrong.

Gee. An aftermarket guy telling you others stuff is crap. Sounds like a sales pitch to you..? You can't use MPG to prove efficiency. There are too many variables to try and use MPG as constant. And wow one part needed a recall out of say 20,000 individual parts in a whole truck.... Man oh man these trucks are going fall to pieces if we don't act fast...!! They didn't get it wrong..! People makes mistakes. I'll stop there. You can't reason with dumb...

 

[Hemi450hp]

Congrats on the new mod. We get the same reactions from just about everyone that installs a new converter. Much better power off the line (even with just a 2600 stall speed), less drivetrain loss across the rpm band, better fuel mileage as long as you don't go up to a 3000 stall speed, and keeping rpms up and into the powerband through the shift. A new tq converter should be at the top of everyone's mod list. Having replaced converters in these trucks as well as my own, I don't think I could drive a hemi truck without an aftermarket converter.

Great mod. I'm glad you are enjoying it.

 

[Etroze86]

Glad to hear the TC was worth the money for you. I was wondering did you go with the 2600 for ability to tow or just didn't want to see high stall RPM?

 

[popcenator]

Gee. An aftermarket guy telling you others stuff is crap. Sounds like a sales pitch to you..? You can't use MPG to prove efficiency. There are too many variables to try and use MPG as constant. And wow one part needed a recall out of say 20,000 individual parts in a whole truck.... Man oh man these trucks are going fall to pieces if we don't act fast...!! They didn't get it wrong..! People makes mistakes. I'll stop there. You can't reason with dumb...

Define efficiency. In my mind, efficiency in this context is getting power to the ground quicker, safer, and without the sacrifice of mileage, all of which the Edge converters do. The stock converter locks up well below the the power band begins, making you waste more fuel just trying to get you there. The Edge converters put you just before or in the power range and keep you there with less heat, and without the sacrifice of fuel mileage. So again, I'd like to hear what you consider efficient.

 

[HOTRODHARLEY]

Define efficiency. In my mind, efficiency in this context is getting power to the ground quicker, safer, and without the sacrifice of mileage, all of which the Edge converters do. The stock converter locks up well below the the power band begins, making you waste more fuel just trying to get you there. The Edge converters put you just before or in the power range and keep you there with less heat, and without the sacrifice of fuel mileage. So again, I'd like to hear what you consider efficient.

You already have it in your head as to what efficiency is. So how is me telling you different gonna change anything..? Everyone on here knows it all already. Yet no one listens anyway. Ask yourself this. The government is extremely tough on manufacturers about emissions and fuel economy. They take great strides to create the most fuel efficient vehicle possible. Now I won't argue from a driveability/performance stand point that there's a lot to be gained. But as I said with fuel mileage and MPG there are wayyyyyy to many variables to state that one said thing is way more efficient than another. Also higher stall torque TC do not create less heat. In the aftermarket world a high stall convertor should almost always be accompanied by a tranny cooler if a vehicle isn't so equipped. I work on 500,600,700,800 even 2000HP cars all day everyday. Thats my job and these are things I know. I'm a performance guy through and through. So in reality MPG isn't real high in my vocabulary. But with my truck I do try to eek out the best MPG I can. Oh and a TC is definitely on my list of mods. So again. I'm not putting down performance convertors in anyway. I'm just trying to defend the manufacturers here who put thousands of hours into building the best trucks possible. If all you guys think you can do a better job then by all means have at her.

 

[Hemi450hp]

Hotrod, Edge has actually been able to build a very cool running converter for these trucks. Until you get up into the 3000 stall speeds, the transmission will not run any warmer than it does with the stock converter. In the beginning, Edge actually had to dial it back a bit because the trucks were throwing codes for the transmissions running too cool. Building a converter for an 800hp car is obviously going to be a completely different ballgame than building 1 for a 300rwhp daily driver truck. I have been extremely impressed with the drivability and street manners of the Edge converters while still providing a night and day difference in performance. The mileage claim is true as well as we get many customers calling back surprised that their mileage actually went up after the converter swap. Just yesterday, I spoke to a 2012 owner that said he went from a consistent 17mph average to 18.3 after installing a 2900 stall converter, and the converter has been in for the past 2000 miles.

I know you said you were considering a converter for yourself as well. I think you are going to be very happy with the performance and street manners of the Edge. Its also nice knowing that you wont have to spend extra on another tranny cooler or deeper pan (unless you want to go over a 3000 stall speed).

 

[popcenator]

My point to that rant was, don't come into a thread of someone sharing their personal experience and start condescending them because you have a differing opinion. You can offer your counterpoint without personally insulting someone.

Now, I apologize for littering the thread with a stupid argument, but IMO comments like that just kill what this forum is all about.

on the move..

 

[HOTRODHARLEY]

I hate hate hate narrow minded people who only see one thing. And I see a lot of these people on here who never take the full spectrum into account. Like the guy who started this thread. Calling things crap and arguing. All I offered was a different view point. I give everyone the benefit of the doubt. I'm starting not to with people who have the our country is the best no ones better than us we carry guns and love god and live by the word of the internet **** everything else attitude. Like I said... And I'm just repeating an expression. You can't reason with dumb....

 

[Etroze86]

I think its your last statement that is getting people worked up. Just food for thought.

 

[HOTRODHARLEY]

That's fine. I'm no pushover. I stand up for what I know.

 

[popcenator]

Pretty hypocritical if you ask me, but I've said what I wanted to say and will drop it on my end. Carry on.

 

[Etroze86]

Just don't call people dumb for having an opinion, that really doesn't help anything out. I am sure you would get defensive also if you were called dumb for a review of something you were really excited about and my or may not have choosen the right words. The enginers don't need someone to defend them I think the millions of vehicles Dodge sells each year defends itself. For the most part this forum has been about helping people and showing off projects that people are proud of, I for one enjoy it that way and hopes it stays that way.

 

[Graygoose]

That's fine. I'm no pushover. I stand up for what I know.

Gorilla in a glass room eh? No need to come onto this site and try to push your beliefs down everyones throat, not needed on this forum. If you dont like whats said, big red X top right corner.
I agree the OEM are for gas mileage, not performance, so if the OP wants to state they are junk, by all means his opinion, like yours saying they are a magical marvel of hours of testing. After the Star case, I tend to lean more in what the OP stated .

 

[Hemi_Express2013]

Well, to chime in on this. Love my 2800 Edge TC. Locks-up at any RPM, hit the skinny pedal, 3000RPM is a little fun to play with. Tranny runs consistently cooler 138-140F and that's really getting on it. Haven't noticed any decline in MPH, and probably could claim some increase. Unfortunitly, I'm just having to0 much fun with my truck. OP, enjoy your new TC, and MPH. It only can get better for here.

Oh, before I forget... If I could get rid of this OEM(Stock) "crap" Cam, I would feel more TORQUE lower(LEFT) in the RPM range of my heavy boot. I'd be much more complacent in attitude. No offense meant by my personal opinion.

 

[Mopar_Express]

I think that the arguement about efficiency is moot, an aftermarket converter does everything the same or better than a factory one. Im not really sure where the word efficient comes into play when the factory converter robs at least 25% or more of the power to the wheels. It is certainly proven that the factory does not make the most efficient parts. They create parts that meet minimum regulatory standards, are as inexpensive to manufacture as possible, and are as owner friendly as possible. Usually that translates to something that makes the vehicle easier to live with for the average user who wants a low maintenance "comfortable" vehicle.

People who say "the engineers know what they are doing and spend countless hours testing things" make me eye roll every time I see them. If you feel this way maybe youre in the wrong place. Its not that they are bad at making the best parts out there they just have too many constraints by the bean counters and government to appease people like us that want to make our vehicles better. A ribbed intake tube isnt efficient, a 30 some inch muffler isnt efficient, and the horsepower robbing factory tc is not either. Just food for thought as those are only a few examples of how these trucks fall short in the "efficiency" category.

To the OP thanks for the review. I cant wait to snag one of these for my truck, funds are just tight and every thread like this makes me more anxious!

 

[RAMAlaska]

Just to weigh in here. The engineers are are trying to create the most powerful, fuel efficient, best driving, towing and mud bogging truck in the whole world... at the lowest possible cost point. Remember, there is an element of economics on the part of the company. Sure, they could put more performance parts into the RAM. However, you may not be able to afford it anymore.

Considering that I got my Black Express for under 30K, I am super happy. Now I can spend that saved money on the performance parts I want. So, just consider this when you talk about efficiency vs. performance.