Power To The Ground
An overhaul to the transmission was definitely needed to help the Honey Badger extend its life. Ryan’s expertise was perfect for this as he is no stranger to them, having worked on drag race transmissions with his dad starting at age 11. We had no doubt we were in good hands. For this, we decided to go with their State 2 towing and performance package.
Removal of the transmission was smooth, taking only 20 minutes. After that, the transmission was put on a work bench, disassembled and all the reusable parts were given a cleaning. Next, we got to work on the rebuild, which included a redline clutch, a triple-disc converter and updated solenoids. All of the new parts used were made in-house by RKL Diesel, which really helps us feel confident that the transmission will last for the foreseeable future.
A big benefit of the overhaul to towing was that now the transmission holds on to first gear a little longer. This way the power that is available at higher RPMs is readily available when you shift into second. Even when not towing, shifts are still smooth and responsive and really change the dynamics of driving the Honey Badger.
“With it you get a push feel, rather than pull, which is a really nice sensation,” says Searle.
With the transmission overhaul done, it was time to get to work on adding the power.