Anyone broke a BTS 5r?

Rubenk · Apr 15, 2013

So the time is coming soon when I can get a built trans, and I want to start asking around on my options.

I am from about 30 mins away from Brian's Truck Shop, and have talked to him numerous times as well as had my 6.0 and now my 6.4 in his shop.

He doesnt like to 100% gaurantee a 5r past 600hp, unlike his unlimited 4r gaurantee.

I've never heard of a displeased customer from him, but has anybody actually toasted a BTS 5r? He also offers a 4r swap, which he is much more confident in. Price difference is negligible between the two options.

Truck probably wont ever get fuel upgrades, but will get everything else up to that point, including turbo(s).

Spatel23 · Apr 15, 2013

That is a tough decision....

Maybe go with the 5R so he can get some more hands on experience with it behind a 6.4? I dont doubt that he could make it stand up if he just had some time with it. You being so close to him is a real advantage.

08BIGRIG · Apr 15, 2013

I agree with Shone. I would do the 5r and see how he can do.

3brorce · Apr 15, 2013

I replied to your thread on another forum OP. I agree and go with the 5R. You are so close to Brian not to take advantage of it.

LovinPSDs · Apr 15, 2013

I don't think you'll break a properly built tranny without fuel... Surely with Brian's knowledge he can keep a 5r (remember the 4r is a 4 speed!!!) together for what your looking for. Him being so close is a big deal too.

I say go BTS

Rubenk · Apr 15, 2013

Thanks all. Even Brian has told me of his....concerns...with guaranteeing a 5r to the same level as his bulletproof 4r's. He has the conversion nearly 100% factory-like, so its a really attractive option, and says he will have it 100% before too long.

Either way I go, will be BTS. He is definitely an upstanding guy.

Any more thoughts?

3brorce · Apr 15, 2013

What are your power goals and are you going to drag race/boost launch ofter? If not, you should be fine with a built 5R.

early99powerstroke · Apr 15, 2013

what makes a 4R so much more durable then a 5R?

smokinstroker · Apr 15, 2013

ive got a bts 5r right now waiting to go into my 6.4

as soon as brian gets 100% on his 4r i will be swapping over

David N · Apr 15, 2013

Living that close to him, I wouldn't be afraid of either option. No matter which you do, he will stand behind it.

LovinPSDs · Apr 16, 2013

I really don't think 4r should even be considered on a stock fuel build..especially if he's told you and will stand behind the 5r... If anything swap the 6sp granny in not back to a 4!!

Serious tho... Stock fuel, I would worry.

Rubenk · Apr 16, 2013

Thanks again for all the input!

Well, I would like to hook to a sled occasionally for fun, as well as hit the drag strip without fear(of the trans stranding me at least).

Brian is 100% confident in his 4r transmissions and dares you to break it, but doesnt quite say that about his 5r's. The actual construction for them and the way they work doesnt allow for the same level of power as a 4r, which has also been explained by Mark Kovalsky on here.

I agree somewhat that going to a 4r is a bit of a step backward, which is why im asking about the actual experiences with a BTS 5r.

Without a doubt Brian will stand behind his work, but I still dont want my truck back in the shop after I take it to the track a few times.

3brorce · Apr 16, 2013

I think you just want us to tell you to go with a 4r lol. That is what this is sounding like to me. Plenty of trucks running around with built 5rs.

LovinPSDs · Apr 16, 2013

3brorce said:
I think you just want us to tell you to go with a 4r lol. That is what this is sounding like to me. Plenty of trucks running around with built 5rs.

And at a lot more power than stock fuel will ever get you...

Just make sure you get it as built as possible... All the upgraded shafts, ect...

Morgan@Midwest Diesel & Auto · Apr 16, 2013

Seriously? 600hp is not an issue with a built 5r. I've got one truck with upgraded fuel and air on stock ford clutches and converter in his trans. It has broke once but it was fixed and still running strong on the stock clutches and converter. It all depends how you drive it and the tuning has the biggest to do with longevity.

A standard built 5r is absolutely fine for stock fuel in everyway. Brian may be a little worried because he doesn't have the experience with them. But a 5r is a cakewalk to build compared to a 4r. And if you swap to a 4r I believe you still lose cruise control unless you do a full PCM swap to a manual PCM, which requires a full systems reflash of the truck. And you lose the driveability of the 5speed. And the 5r has the lower ratio first gear.

I would not even consider a 4r swap in a mainly stock truck that is a daily driver. That's unnecessary IMO.

Mike@MPD · Apr 16, 2013

We run his built 4r in King Kong and have only broken a few hard parts in the past year and a half, as for Brians service, second to none. He has been more then helpfull with getting Craigs trans to hold and gone far beyond what he needed to do for us. I would do the 5r just for the convenience of having Cruise control and everything from the factory. My 5r has held up to alot of abuse with only a billet input. He definitely knows how to build a sturdy trans and stand behind it

Rubenk · Apr 16, 2013

Thanks for the input fellas. Thats why I ask!!

I do like the idea of the rock-solid 4r, and he says the conversion is nearly factory-like, still a few bugs left to work out, but he isnt stopping until it is a perfect swap. Including dash lights and cruise control.

I guess i'm just nervous of beating on a 5r, even though I put my 6.0 and now my 6.4 through some pretty good abuse, and they still havent exactly let me down.

The main point of this thread is to find out if anyone has actually toasted the 5r, not really a 4r vs 5r thread. My post over on the .org has someone claiming to toast 5r's multiple times, but thats the only one i've heard of.

Tree Trimmer · Apr 16, 2013

used to see 5r's dropping like flies, in tuned/air mod trucks, till tuning caught up.

now, you don't really see it anymore, unless you add fuel. even then you don't see it with small nozzles really, either. like 15% and smaller.

30% and duel fuelers, i would be concerned.

Rubenk · Apr 16, 2013

Tree Trimmer said:
used to see 5r's dropping like flies, in tuned/air mod trucks, till tuning caught up.

now, you don't really see it anymore, unless you add fuel. even then you don't see it with small nozzles really, either. like 15% and smaller.

30% and duel fuelers, i would be concerned.

You think that applies to H&S's tuning or is a custom tune necessary once I go with a built 5r?

Morgan@Midwest Diesel & Auto · Apr 17, 2013

Rubenk said:
You think that applies to H&S's tuning or is a custom tune necessary once I go with a built 5r?

You can kill a stock 5r with big tunes and air......... if you absolutely rape your trans.

I have a stock trans in my shortbed dually that runs h&s hd300 24/7/365. I drive the ***k out of my truck. It will smoke all four duals at 30 mph rolling. I hold nothing back when driving that truck, that why i have it. I have nothing special in it besides air mods. It has made 56psi of boost and the trans still goes strong.

Needless to say. A good built and tuned 5r will run circles around the 4r for the money. The 4r still breaks at the same power levels that 5r will. The shafts in the 4r and planetaries still have limits on power. Both trans hard parts will hold way more than you are planning on putting out.

The tuning for you truck with a 5r can be had from basically any custom tuner with no special effort.

There are really very few people running a 4r in comparison to running built 5r transmissions in 6.4 trucks. And unless you plan on 1000hp and nitrous a 5r will handle anything you put on it.