I pulled the transmission out of my truck Friday to get rebuilt and I'm looking at upgrading the flex plate. I've been doing some reading and by the sounds of it some guys replace them and some don't. I don't race nor do I plan on racing so the 29.3SFI approved flex plate would do me no good. I was leaning towards a billet one but 400 bucks is kinda outlandish in my opinion. The factory one is probably fine, but I've read they break or crack under stock power. As long as I have it this far apart I just assume replace it with something I know will be good, rather than have to tear it all apart again later because it broke.   I see BD has a forged flex plate for 350 bucks, and  Goerends has a billet one that's not sfi rated for 325..

 

 Who here has replaced their flex plate and what did you use?

BD, no issues so far. Are you doing a triple disc and a billet input?

Yes I'm going with a billet input shaft and triple disk torque converter.

Then yes, you want a heavy duty flexplate. If you keep the stock one, it will be the weak point and shatter before anything else breaks, but that could be a good thing too. Like you said, best to do it in one fell swoop. Some guys run laminated, some say no to billet because it doesn't flex and transfers too much load to the input shaft. But, if you're running a triple and billet input, no reason not to get a beefy flexplate. Don't forget rear main seal while the tranny is out. I got my BD on sale from XDP for under $350, that was my reason for BD, plus I think they have a good track record for breaking. In theory, it shouldn't break for normal driving and towing. I believe boosted launches are the main culprit for breaks and shifting a locked torque converter. 

 

 

 

 

XDP has 10% off right now!

Here is an option for under $200.

 

http://www.mts-diesel.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=&products_id=302

 

SFI 29.1 rated.  I know you weren't much interested in an SFI rated unit but this one is one of the least expensive ones I have seen.

 

I don't have any experience with it but thought I would pass it on as an FYI!

Don't forget rear main seal while the tranny is out.

 

 

 How much of a job is it to replace that seal?

Not bad at all once the flex plate is out of the way. You need to know if a sleeve is needed or not though....

Not bad at all once the flex plate is out of the way. You need to know if a sleeve is needed or not though....

 

 like a speedy sleeve? I assume by looking at the crank one could tell if a sleeve is needed or not?

 like a speedy sleeve? I assume by looking at the crank one could tell if a sleeve is needed or not?

 

Correct

If you haven't bitten the bullet look at Goerend. Dave has SFI and NON SFI flexplates. I have a BD and I will be doing an inspection to see if its failing. I have a minor fuel knock but there is a mechanical knock also possibly flexplate or loose hardware.

http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/showthread.php?p=20468097

SFI approved flex plate

Offer him $125.

I have a triple disk and billet input and I went with the $99 eBay flex plate.