Hey fellas,

I posted in SE section, but the traffic here is higher and I figure the FI experts are the ones likely to know...

I have had a hard time finding a shop to do the valve body upgrade to my 5AT (prior to going for FI - likely APS ST or TT)? I'm in NC (Chapel Hill area) so the closer to that the better, but I'm prepared to travel! (Just not all the way to Texas or California). I know level 10 is in NJ, but that is a bit far also (10 hours). They do ship transmissions with valve body upgrade and then will take your core in return for $1k but i dunno that I want to give up my transmission with less than 10k miles on it for something that might have alot more...

Any leads for reliable transmission shops would be greatly appreciated!

 

I had this very conversation with one of the largest APS dealers in the US just recently. I asked them about Level 10 in NJ because I have been hearing about them on and off for a couple of years. This dealer told me that the feedback they have received about Level 10 was mixed, but generally negative. Their bottom line was a suggestion to look for another transmission specialist. They did not suggest anyone, so apparently their comment was not motivated by hoping to help some friend in the business.

Further, they said that a number of APS TT installs were scheduled this summer and the experience base would be expanding accordingly.

While I understand that this doesn't directly answer your question, it may add to your information base and help you avoid some headaches.

 

I would like to find out whats involved with a valve body upgrade . As of now [ that I know of ] SGP in houston ,Level 10 , and Stillen [ I think they contract it out ] do valve body upgrades . You would think any good tranny company could do the upgrade . Are there parts that are needed ? Is it more of a electrical or program type of mod ?

 

Based on my limited understanding of newer transmissions, there is a physical valve body for each gear, one of which engages at the right time thanks to electronics and solenoids. It is my understanding that our tranny oil cooler also needs to be upgraded prior to going FI.

I have heard mixed reviews of both Stillen and Level10, but you gotta go with somebody and I figure the more experience with our cars (either 350Z or G35, whether good or bad outcomes) is better than no experience at all...

 

Any luck on this guys? I too will be going the Vortech route on my AT and have read the whole torque converter v. value body upgrade debate and think maybe I should do the valve body. How much does this cost and what exactly is involved? Have we found any shops in the southeast that have done work on a z/g that can do it?

 

According to www.levelten.com, they charge $750 for a valve body upgrade plus $1000 refundable 'core' charge. That is, you return your tranny in exchange for the upgraded one...

I dunno about this - god knows what their tranny has gone through???

 

I agree...I have a brand new 05 tranny with 8000 miles. Don't really want to exchange that. Any other options? (I have heard that the Stillen one doesn't do too much). IS this something that has to come from them or is this somehting a good tranny shop can do?

 

from what I understand...You DONT send them the whole tranny...you just send the valve body and they upgrade that

 

Yep, I think you're right - you just have to return the valve body to get your $1000 back. Not sure what the shipping charges are.

Stillen has the program to take off your valve body, ship it in, they work on it for 2 days, then return it to you. The Stillen cost is $700 plus $150 shipping and insurance (that includes them shipping you an empty box for transport, you shipping it back to them, and they returning it also). This is the link.

Gurgen mentioned in a thread that the Stillen "upgrade" does very little to improve the feel of the shifts. Not sure if that means it's not offering protection against higher torque though.

 

From what I have read...not many people feel that big a difference with the Stillen. I have heard some good things about the one from SGP Racing...its $755 bucks just for the valve body.

http://store.yahoo.com/sgpracing-sto...raupvabof.html

 

Ohhh...and I have read to avoid Level 10. Doesn't leave us with too much...

 

go with level 10 if you want a headache and a transmission that's junk. my buddy's level 10 tranny in his volvo was junk within a year and he treats his car like it was his first born baby.

sean