Hey guys, wondering if anyone can give me some info about torque converters for these 1st gens. i have an A518 in mine. i looked into BD but it turns out their converter is also a non lock up like the stock. i am not a fan of the non lockup at all and wondering if there is someone who makes a lockup converter? cheers, Graeme

The A518 (AKA: 46RH) in our trucks uses a NON lock-up torque converter. You can't simply replace one converter with the other.

While the A518 can be converted to a lock-up type converter by way of notable internal hardware and hydraulic (Valve-body) changes, it's usually much more cost effective to switch to a later 47RH trans which by default runs the lock-up converter.

Either way, you'll need the 47RH type engine to trans adapter-plate so as to allow more room for the thicker lock-up converter.

Others with first-hand experience with the details of either conversion will most likely post soon.

Have fun.

oh okay. i've only ever had 2nd gens and coming into this non lock up thing has been weird.

so maybe i dont want to replace the tranny, but is something like a BD converter going to be alot better then the stock?

Much better.... Much much better...

i think i'm not too far away from a tighter convertor, i dont think i can justify a 47rh swap. contemplated the lock up swap in mine myself. good luck

I used to feel good about the trans I have in my '91 flatbed, it seemed tight and shifted firm, both things you want.
It even got 17-18 mpg.
Then I hooked it to a 2-car trailer and towed with it, got 9 mpg and it "slipped" like crazy.
I'm a manual trans guy, I wonder why in heck anyone that tows would put up with horrible mileage and a tranny that slips like that.

Totally worthless.

Mark.

As far as I can tell and have read the 518 case for diesels (they are differnt then the gassers) cant be converted to lock-up. Some passeges or something missing. Like I said though this is just something I read about in passing looking for somehing else.

Spec-Rite or Goerend makes a converter that will handle 500+rwhp.....and it's a non-lock-up

What would be the better/cheaper way to go transmission? Go with a BD tq converter, or the 47RH trans swap? Any advice would be great!

Guess it depends on how much you can get the 47RH for. Personally I wouldn't touch a BD TC, I'd be looking only at either Suncoast or Goerend. A TC from either of these vendors will run you from $600 - $1000, but well worth the money. A lockup convertor is somewhere around $1200 I think, (not 100% on that), plus whatever other parts you may need to rebuild it. 'Cause you know that while you're there you may as well. The other thing to remember is that when an auto is in lockup, it's going to create HUGE amounts of heat, so as Mark Nixon says, towing with it can get fun sometimes. (Which is why everyone says not to tow in OD.)

IF you want to tow a lot, run a 5 speed and deeper gears (4.10s).
The outcome for mileage (Fuel AND Longevity) and keeping the tranny together will be more favorable.
If for some reason you don't like the Getrag, go with a FULLY UPGRADED NV4500 or 6 speed.

If you do a 6 speed, you can keep the gearing higher, say 3.54s.

Mark.

My only problem with towing with a stick is uneven shifting. i.e. User error. I haul horses a lot and with livestock the smoother the shift the better. I've heard of horses breaking legs from folks not driving right, and I don't ever want that to happen to me. Especially when that horse cost 6 figures. But otherwise, manual tranny's are better for the long haul. In saying that, auto's have their place too...

Alright guys thanks for the input. I've been looking at some other part for the A-518 and prolly just get some up grades for it such as TQ converter, clutches, and shift kit. I'm not looking to put down 500HP but it would be nice to not slip the tranny every time I hardly get on it

Lock-up does not create huge amounts of heat. It reduces heat.

Any auto, compared to a manual, creates more heat. Direct drive or not.