Hey guys,

I am thinking about doing a serious auto tranny upgrade.

I would like an HS converter, a VB kit, and maybe even upgraded clutches, though I won't need them if I stay N/A.

I know GTM makes some good stuff, but it's quite expensive.

I found this shop, does anyone have experience with their built trannys?
http://www.speedforceracing.com/index.php?productID=839

I am also considering buying a lower mileage auto instead of a built tranny. Unfortunately, I have an 02/02 build date, so my transmission compatibility range is 03/02 or older. That means lower mileage units are hard to come by. Does anyone have a good place where I could look? I am also wary of someone else's used auto, b/c idk if they neutral dropped it off of every light and neglected to replace the tranny fluid. Either way, whatever I decide will have a stall and a VB kit.

Does anyone know of a good place that sells rebuilt transmissions?

How difficult will it be for a shop to install a tranny cooler?

Thanks for any help!

 

you are not limited to 03/02 or newer - you would be fine to use a 03/04 and newer. As a tip though, swap your valve body from your current transmission to the newew transmission and then you won't have to reflash the EEPROM.

Might as well do a Transgo shift kit at that time and TC when you put it in. What are you sticking with HS coverters?

Tranny cooler takes 1 hour to install, very easy.

Take a look at car-part.com and ebay. You can probably find a decent transmission for less than you think.

 

Pretty much agree with Toll. I'd do the following:

1) Transgo shift kit
2) Gears - 3.54 or 3.69 pumpkin swap. It's worth it, especially having the VLSD.
3) High stall TC (talk to Dsskyline about his). Keep in mind around town driveability will be affected. The tranny will feel a bit more slushy. I'd get gears first and see how you like it.

?) Sprint Booster "Selectable" or Blitz Throttle Controller. Both of these setups has adjustable throttle settings and I know Dsskyline likes his for harder launches at the strip. Apparently these throttle controllers change the way the TCM reacts, making the tranny more responsive, especially in manual mod. I'm getting one soon. I'll let you know how it goes.


As for a rebuild, it's probably worth it, but make sure to get it done locally and by a qualified shop that know JATCO 5ATs. Might even want to consider taking it to Nissan. One thing to consider would be using the beefier OEM clutch packs from the Nissan trucks using the JATCO 5ATs.

 

No need to build it unless you're FI. I'll be selling my built auto soon if interested. Fully built with alto clutches, steels, and a SGP valve body and high stall TC.

 

Great info guys! I do plan to throw in a converter and VB kit when it's out. I was considering a 3.3VLSD for the rear end. I am wary of the 3.54 only because it'll put me in 4th earlier down the 1/4mi. There is no way around the 100-110/115 dead zone in that gear, so my logic was centered on keeping the car in 1st-3rd as long as possible.


Willey, thanks for the clarification! That tidbit was GOLD. That really opens up my potential choices!

Dave, I am interested in the Sprint Booster. I always thought it was a gimmick, but do post up your impressions when you buy/install it.

Canadian, I will keep that in mind. I will likely do this later in the spring time. How many miles do you have on it? Are you running a cooler?

 

I'll be ordering the Sprint Booster today. The Sprint Booster now has a three settings you can select, Off, Sport, and Race. I'll be sure to post a review.

I can understand you're reluctance with the 3.54 gear. Years ago, I tried out my 23.5" tall BFG DRs on my car. This effectively geared the car to around a 3.55. At the same day at the track, the car ran 14.49@96.9mph with a lower 2.2 60' as a best on the OEM height 17s. With the DRs, the car ran a 14.50@96.1mph with a high 2.1 60' as a best. On the car shifted to 4th about 150' short of the finish.

Now I have the 3.54 gear, but I haven't been to the strip in years. This spring I plan to test the 3.54 gear and short DR combo. This should effectively gear the car to around a 3.8. I've done some calculations and the car should come relatively close to crossing the line in 4th in the meat of the powerband. It's hard to tell if they'll be a big improvement until I get that slip. My hope is the car will be quicker off the line and in the first 200' because of the improved gearing and faster reacting throttle. The DRs are light and are mounted to 15X7 Mazda Millenia rims. The entire combo weighs about 40lb less (total, both wheels) than stock.



I purchase the 3.54 gearset and VLSD for auto-x and improved around town driveability. You're already at the point of no return because you're already crossing the line in 4th. I'd strongly recommend getting deeper gears so that you get more torque multiplication and come across the line in a meatier part of 4th. You could keep the 3.3 gear and just keep adding bolt-on power, but you're still going to have to use 4th. You could stay in 3rd longer if you extended the limiter, but if you're not making power above 6400rpms, it's not beneficial. The only way to make more power above 6400rpms is to either add cams and a higher flow intake manifold or a centrifugal SC. You add cams, you kill low end and some midrange power; therefore, deeper gears are needed to gain back some torque multiplication.

An aftermarket TC will gain you a ton of torque multiplication off the line, but after the launch, there's not much advantage. You definitely need to consider the downsides to an aftermarket TC. The high stall TC will making daily driving a bit of a chore because the engine and tranny will be laggy and disconnected until stall speed is reached. I guess what I'm trying to say that deeper gears are inevitable for your car and I'd them first. Adding a deeper gear and shorter tires are both ways to achieve a bit more torque multiplication without a lot of expense. Additionally, the deeper gear makes the car more enjoyable around town.

 

Willey, one last clarification, you're saying that I could use an 05/06 transmission, but I'd need to replace the VB with my current unit? Also, would I need to do that if I got an 03/04?

Dave, an LSD is inevitable with a higher stall. I'll just have to figure out if I want to wire in an eManage as well. After that, what's left? HFCs? A different exhaust? Sounds like the N/A tuning limits of a Type 1 sedan are relatively low