I have a question about the tranny coolers. For those of you who have one installed did you leave the stock cooler in place and add an additional one or did you replace the stock one entirely. I ask because I read that some added an additional one. That made me wonder if the Oil would flow at the same rate it did stock. Does having two inline coolers slow the rate of flow at all?

Secondly, what kind of cooler are you using?
Lastly, have you monitored tranny oil temperature both before and after? What were the results?

Thanks.

 

We replaced cooler altogether, we use Blitz tranny cooler.

 

changing out torque converter is same concept as if you were changing out a clutch on a 5speed, u wont launch till higher rpm, so u get in to power band faster and firmer down shifts, valve body will make the tranny shift alot firmer.you can get these done at a local tranny shop. look for a CLEAN shop that work on taxi's, and other cars and trucks that require upgrade tranny work done to haul heavy boats and work gear, they will be able to help you get tranny work done with a warranty. look in ur yellow pages,

 

For those that modified your torque converter, what range did you increase your stall to?

 

OK.. i have done the TC several times... I would suggest that at the very end. If oyu want to improve and help preserve the tranny, do a VB job (but definitely not stillen's, go with someone who is going to customize it for you and not give you answers like "well, you may not feel the shifts being firmer, but they are".) A TC should be something you do afterwards. There is no benefit to doing them together as far as labor is concerned, as they are in separate parts of the transmission.

Another thing, those prices you quoted are complete rip offs. A TC swap should not be more than $350, it takes about 1:45 to 2 hours tops. A VB swap should take no more than an hour and a half. EdgeRacing converters , the only place you should go for TC mods IMO, modifies the TCs for around $400.

 

Gurgen,

My sentiments exactly. I got to drive in a Codeflux's G35 sedan with fresh Stillen Valve body upgrade. While I noticed a difference when compared to my car, it was nothing that I was hoping to expect. I have been considering getting this done from a tranny shop. do you have any recommendations? what to ask for? I am hesitant to take it to a tranny shop how does not have experience testing the vb upgrade on our cars.

 

Unfortunately, Level10 is the only oter well known alternative, unless you can hunt dow nthe shop that does these for stillen and go to the source.

As far line pressure, you should ask for 40-42% increase in line pressure. That seems to be the magic number from what I am hearing. But, don't completely quote me on this. This should allow you to shift at WOT (1-2 shift) without bouncing off the rev limiter.

 

Gurgen,

If you can share, what data do you have that supports the 40-42% increase in line pressure? Do you know what percentage increase in line pressure the stillen or leven 10 valve body upgrades have? I called Stillen and was unsucessful in obtaining additional information. I have an appointment tomorrow in Sunnyvale at Roy's transmissions who were recommended by zcargarage. I will get their input and report back. If you've got additional info, i'd appreciate it.

Thanks

 

hey..

Well, that seems to be the empirical data so far, that at about 40% increase, one reliable source told me he stopped having issues with shifting, and this is a very knowledgeable guy whose opinion I trust very much.

BTW... If that tranny shop is anything like the Zcargarage that's sending you there, it is no surprise to me that they are quoting such rediculous rates. I can't understand what these guys think they are, they charge more per hour (based on the number of hours that the job actually takes, not what they say it does) than some attorneys. I am all for paying for quality work, i.e., say, as much as $100 per hour instead of the usual, say, $60. But do not bloody tell me that taking a turbo/manifold on a SINGLE side on and off takes 20 hours of work. That's why, I just keep moving. Unfortunately for you, and me for the 9 months out of the year that I am up in norcal, i have yet to find a shop that I can trust OR that is honest. Frankly, I haven't realy found either up there.

 

So any options for us East Coast guys? Do we order from Level10 or Stillen and then have the valve bodies put in over at a local transmission shop?

Edit: well I've been blind calling shops and I can't find anyone that has done this type of upgrade on our cars in the surrounding 100 miles - I will ask about this in a new thread...