here's an interesting question: i already have a Stillen VB upgrade. i wonder if i would be able to upgrade to SGP VP. or does Stillen do something that will prevent VB from being further upgraded to SGP?...

 

You probably will, as they just change springs and bore out some holes. Springs is not a problem, as they will be replaced anyway. But the holes CAN be made smaller after they were enlarged, but it all depends how much smaller; you may not even need to make them smaller if the SGP mod involves the same spec.

Only SGP will know for sure, and most likely a little later.

 

Thanks for the info.

If SGP only had a core exchange program. I can get away with having the car undriveable for a few days, but I can't take the VB off myself.

 

i just emailed SGP with these questions:

- Can valve body that's already been modified by Stillen be upgraded further?

- You mention that SGP VB generates more heat - Stillen on the other hand claims that their VB upgrade generates *less* heat. How so?

- Is tranny cooler and torque converter needed for non-FI cars? In fact, is there any benefit to doing the SGP VB upgrade on a non-FI car?

we'll see what they have to say.

 

I have the same questions also, but I intend to go FI eventually. I would like to see how it performs in a non-FI car since I have the stillen vb also.

 

OK, a few answers...

1) The VB absolutely does NOT increase the temperature, if anything it will decrease it because the clutches grab instead of slide into a shift.

2) a cooler is definitely needed, the bigger the better.

3) TC... not 100% convinced personally. They are are alread yfurnace brazed, so strength is not an issue. If oyu want to increase efficiency OR increase stall (to make it a dragster) , then yes, do the TC.

4) an important point: with non-FI cars, the tire chirping is less likely to happen (at least with 275-caliper tires) simply because the torque is not there. However, the shifts will still be very firm and fast, just not enough to sping the tires every time. However, on stock tires, i would suspect it would be a lot easier to break them loose.

 

Hey Guys..

Got a second, sightly longer video of the shifts in full AUTO ("D") mode, as promised. Enjoy....

SGP Valve Body Shift Video 2 - Full AUTO mode

 

Derek, how is the Stillen VB doing? Do you think it was worth the money?

Gurgen, I think you mentioned at one point that you had the Stillen or Level 10 VB? How much faster are the shifts with the SGP compared to your previous one?

I assume that this increases the speed of the mechanical shift, but the electric signal lag with MM mode is still there and unchanged?

We need to convince SGP to do a core exchange program. They just need one core, and people will be lined up to get this.

 

Hey

I never had the stillen or the level 10 vb.

The mechanical shift is very fast yes, but as far as what yo uconside the electronic signal gap...well it's not necessarily solely electronic. After the signal is received, the valve for that given clutch pack begins to move from the closed to an open position. In the first part of that movement nothing is "happening"..or so it seems..hence people think that it's actually a delay in the electronic signal. Well, that duration of when the valve is engaging as desribed above hs been reduced significantly, in addition to the very act of the clutch packs engaging. So, yes, the time between the signal being given and the shift actually taking place is very very fast. I will try to come up with an actual measurement soon...

Kkeep in mind though, that this speed up, as well as the firmness of hte shift, are there only when you are producing a lot of torque, i.e. when you are close to full throttle/driving aggressively; pretty much when you need it. If you are NOT on it aggressively, the shifts are smoother and slower (still quicker than stock...you never get that lazy, slushbox feeling), including the instances of deceleration, or engine braking.. In this very specific latter case, the shifts are indistinguishable from stock, with a few exceptions, which is definitely ok if not preferred.

 

Great vids Gurgen and great info as well.

 

Sounds good.

I know you said that you're going to look at the logging data, but can you give us a rough estimate of how much faster the shifts are?

Meaning, from the moment the shift lever is moved in MM mode to the moment that the car is truly in the next gear. Is the shift time, for example, 50% of what it was before?

 

It depends on the gear and load... If you are under full load, when the VB mod is really designed to work, then i would say the shift itself is around 0.1- 0.2 sec, but from the time you give the signal, i just don't see how it's anything over 0.5 seconds. Short version: 50-70% faster under full load. But, don't quote me on this just yet...

 

too late. you've been quoted.

AWESOME VIDEOS! i don't usually save these dashboard videos, but this one - i did.

 

ok, just got a reply from Kyle of SGP:

****** YES *****

***** Actually the higher stall troque convertor is what creates more heat and is what we recommend adding the cooler for...*****

****** The TC and cooler is not needed but the Valve body will improve the shifts even on a non-FI car. *****

 

Pretty mucj exactly what I said earlier...