Transgo VB Upgrade NOT for 5AT Daily Drivers
#31
02-09-2011, 11:44 PM
I would say it's an installation error. I just installed mine myself last weekend and if you don't pay attention and double check what you're doing, you can easily tap the tappered orifice into the wrong hole, install the wrong valve (2 are descirbed as big and 1 is small but they look almost exactly the same size), drill out the wrong hole or use the wrong size bit in the seperator plate.
#32
02-10-2011, 09:07 AM
How rough the 2-3 shift is all relative the person driving. It is a *well described* characteristic of our transmissions - as someone said dozens of posts on this.
On my fully built 2004.5 GTM trans (with transgo VB in the transmission itself, not in the passenger side footwell) I think 2-3 is a stiffer engage than it probably needs to be at moderate rpms (like minimal load, not racing, just stay in 2nd gear and rev the engine to 3-4k while maintaining the same speed, then shift and it clunks).
That said, in "D" mode, the shifting is smoother, particularly if you keep revs below 2500. There is also no clunk under load (WOT). I also found my car got better in "D" mode over time (as in a few months daily driving).
I daily drive my G 9 mos out of 12 and I like the crisp shifts. The 4-5 shift is slow and mushy in comparison as are the downshifts. I don't put any load on the 5AT for those shifts...
On my fully built 2004.5 GTM trans (with transgo VB in the transmission itself, not in the passenger side footwell) I think 2-3 is a stiffer engage than it probably needs to be at moderate rpms (like minimal load, not racing, just stay in 2nd gear and rev the engine to 3-4k while maintaining the same speed, then shift and it clunks).
That said, in "D" mode, the shifting is smoother, particularly if you keep revs below 2500. There is also no clunk under load (WOT). I also found my car got better in "D" mode over time (as in a few months daily driving).
I daily drive my G 9 mos out of 12 and I like the crisp shifts. The 4-5 shift is slow and mushy in comparison as are the downshifts. I don't put any load on the 5AT for those shifts...
#33
02-10-2011, 11:57 AM
#34
02-10-2011, 12:05 PM
I have painfully come to realize that with the Tansgo valve body upgrade, you will never get rid of the 2-3rd hard shift. I had the Transgo kit installed with my turbos and the 2-3rd shift got harder and harder over time. It got to where it felt like someone was rear-ending me when it shifted. After about 30k miles, it was so bad, I had to get my entire transmission rebuilt. $6,000 later, I got my G back, and I can still feel the 2-3rd hard shift. The problem was not fixed, just masked. I am at the point where I probably have to buy a new factory valve body just to get the transmission to shift normal. I would NOT recommend a Transgo valve body upgrade for a daily driver. I spoke to Transgo and they said they were aware of the problem and there was no fix. They have terrible customer service and had no interest in helping me. If anyone has ever been through this nightmare and knows a solution, I would love to hear it.
#35
02-10-2011, 03:17 PM
When I had my VB upgraded the shop said that before they did the upgrade they wanted to make sure the clutchpacks were good as this would be a waste of time and money if they were not good.
I eventually went with the fully built tranny anyways but I think people or shops sometimes overlook checking the clutchpacks when doing this upgrade,
I eventually went with the fully built tranny anyways but I think people or shops sometimes overlook checking the clutchpacks when doing this upgrade,
#36
02-11-2011, 06:14 PM
Had my transgo installed a couple weeks ago. 2-3 shift is the hardest but i would not say uncomfortable at all. Then again I've only had it for couple weeks so tough to say if it's getting worse over time. One issue i do seem to have is on highway some times when go WOT at high speeds in goes from 5-3 while in D mode. This is a very hard shift and makes loud bang, don't care for that much.
#37
02-11-2011, 06:18 PM
Had my transgo installed a couple weeks ago. 2-3 shift is the hardest but i would not say uncomfortable at all. Then again I've only had it for couple weeks so tough to say if it's getting worse over time. One issue i do seem to have is on highway some times when go WOT at high speeds in goes from 5-3 while in D mode. This is a very hard shift and makes loud bang, don't care for that much.
#38
02-11-2011, 07:22 PM
#39
02-11-2011, 07:31 PM
#40
02-12-2011, 04:23 PM
#41
02-12-2011, 04:49 PM
I'm surprised no one asked about this. OP- do you have an aftermarket oil cooler for your transmission? If not, that's probably why your tranny fried. I hear it's necessary for any FI application and recommended for non FI if you plan on tracking a lot.
#42
02-12-2011, 10:14 PM
Anybody have any advice or explanation of what could be going on inside? I'm pretty much a tranny noob.
#43
02-12-2011, 10:28 PM
#44
02-12-2011, 11:23 PM
+1 - perfectly normal. It will just happen faster with the Transgo and therefore seem more harsh.
Everyone with a 5AT should consider a transmission cooler upgrade. Decreasing fluid temps by an average of 20* over stock condition will generally extend life of the transmission by almost double. There is such thing as overcooling as well, so you need to know what size and setup is best for you based on your driving style.
Everyone with a 5AT should consider a transmission cooler upgrade. Decreasing fluid temps by an average of 20* over stock condition will generally extend life of the transmission by almost double. There is such thing as overcooling as well, so you need to know what size and setup is best for you based on your driving style.
#45
02-13-2011, 09:09 AM
Haha, yeah I know it's normal for it to downshift when I mash the pedal, but the harshness of the downshift is alarming. It's enough for me to avoid making it do it. I'm talking about a heck of a bang here. It would get your attention. I think I'll go back to driving in mostly MM and pre-downshift if I know I'm going to get on it. I get better response that way anyway.
willey, I've been thinking about fluid temp, too. Something is telling me that I have an overcooling issue with how cold it's been lately and my commute is 30 miles all highway, so I'm quickly in a TC lockup situation. I'll be paying close attention as it gets warmer outside. I need to install a temp gauge first so I know what I'm really dealing with. Any reco on a guage and where to install?
Thanks.
willey, I've been thinking about fluid temp, too. Something is telling me that I have an overcooling issue with how cold it's been lately and my commute is 30 miles all highway, so I'm quickly in a TC lockup situation. I'll be paying close attention as it gets warmer outside. I need to install a temp gauge first so I know what I'm really dealing with. Any reco on a guage and where to install?
Thanks.