Gears or torque converter?

[HLram]

Matt suggested that I get a torque converter as my next mod, but I have 3.55 gears stock and was wondering if I would benefit more from a gear swap. Which of these do you guys think would give my truck the most bang for the buck? I know gears would be double what TC would be dollar wise, but I think gears would give more performance. My truck only turns like 2050 rpms at 80 mph with these tall stock gears. Opinions please?

 

[03MopaRamman]

I did Torque converter before gears and there was definately a difference in RWTQ and could actually spin the tires (355 Gears). With the added HP of a fourth Gen and your Mods it will be a nice Improvement. Gears However will put the Icing On The Cake!

Cost wise approx 600 (incl Fluids/filters, etc) vs 3K and the Torque Converter is something that can be done yourself if you have the facilities.

 

[ATXHEMI]

I would go with Matt's advice. If he told you that you would see better gains from the stall then go that route. Hes been around these trucks along time and knows them very well. A stall will be my next purchase too.

 

[HLram]

Thanks for the replies. I wasn't doubting Matt. He is a great guy to deal with for sure. I just didn't discuss gears with him. So I think the TC is the cheaper, better route. Thanks again.

 

[smiley]

Let me know how this goes I don't race or anything but I can't see anything having as big of an effect as gears. If you are on the highway a lot the smaller change may be a better fit. I can't go back and do it in opposite order but gears to me make this these trucks insane.


$miley

 

[Hemi450hp]

Heath...I am a huge converter fan obviously. Something for you to consider though is whether you want to run the converter with an open diff. While 3.55's arent exactly ideal, they arent that bad either. The open diff is what causes problems. You are going to have so much more tq at your disposal with the new converter that traction is going to be an issue with the 1 wheel peel out back.

 

[Hemi450hp]

Let me know how this goes I don't race or anything but I can't see anything having as big of an effect as gears. If you are on the highway a lot the smaller change may be a better fit. I can't go back and do it in opposite order but gears to me make this these trucks insane.


$miley

Stepping up from 3.55's is a big improvenelt...the problem is that it is a VERY involved install for the 2012 guys. He would need a limited slip out back that will have to also be machined to accept the aftermarket gears. Then he would have to replace his entire from axle with one from an 09-11 to accept the aftermarket gears up front.

Total cost on this swap depending on what he goes with for a front axle can easily cost $2000-$2500 after labor. That makes the $525 converter look very good.

 

[HLram]

yessir I am on the road alot. About 40,000 miles a year or more. But I was originally thinking the same thing about a bigger gain from the gears. I am thinking maybe that the price difference right now will make me lean more towards the TC. Maybe headers, too. Still would be several dollars ahead of what gears would cost.

 

[HLram]

yeah, Matt, I'm just going to get the TC. My truck does have a LSD according to the build sheet. When it does spin the tires both of them spin, too. I will be contacting you soon about the Edge TC. Thanks.

 

[smiley]

Sounds like a plan.


$miley

 

[Hemi450hp]

That's a big plus that you have the limited slip already. You are going to really appreciate the low end tq that you are going to get back with the converter. You know I like shipping fast, but the converters are built to spec for each truck. Normal build time is 5 business days on these.

 

[HLram]

I would not be in a rush for it. I would have to set up the install at that place near Austin while I'm working down here or find a place in Longview.