Hey guys. Please don't flame me as I have read many threads on Driver and my350z but don't have an answer yet. I have a 05 AT coupoe and will go FI with the Vortech. Right now, I have everything stock and will tune the vortech at a safe power setting as reliability is my number 1 goal. This is my daily driver. I have read all the threads concerning AT and the whole valve body / torque converter / tranny cooler upgrades and I am thoroughly confused.

First...can someone explain to me what is involved with these upgrades? Next, what should a shop charge for the install? Are their parts involved (Stillen, Level 10, etc). I am trying to figure out what each of these mods, parts and install, should cost me. Can any tranny shop do this or should I go to a shop who deals with the Z/G cars a lot?

How unsafe would it be to run the Vortech without upgrading these things?

And to voice a question in another thread...any good shops in the southest who can help a few of us AT guys...(maybe we can get a group install rate too)

Any info would be great. TIA

 

Upgrades to the valve body, tc, and cooler are just there to make the tranny last longer. The whole idea is to keep the operating temperatures of the tranny low as EVERYONE will tell you, heat is its number one killer.

The upgraded valve body allows fluid pressure to build up higher so that the clutches and clamps in the AT can have a stronger grip on the various drums and bands used to operate an AT. Slippage of these bands and drums are what causes heat in the tranny and if you can minimize that slippage, it'll operate at a cooler temp. Of course with more power, the greater the chance for these parts to create heat.

Upgrading the torque converter probably isn't all that necessary if you're planning to keep hp levels at moderate levels. However, some TCs are designed to have a higher stall rpm than stock. This lets the engine rev up to a higher rpm before the TC stalls and starts power transfer to the output of the tranny, and thus allows the car to accelerate faster.

The tranny cooler is an extra precaution to keep the fluids cool and extending the life of the tranny. Simple to install and is cheap relative to other mods.

Hope this helps.

 

gator: did you read my thread on my 350z bout the different tranny coolers? there is some pretty good info in there. ill get the link for you in a little bit.

you will def want to do the vb upgrade we you get your vortech. the tc is also a good idea to do when you are doin the vb because you will be taking the tranny out and its a lot easier to do it all at one time. it is also cheaper.

hit me with a pm and ill let you in on a little tib bit about a vb option of having no down time.

 

http://www.my350z.com/forum/showthread.php?t=129317

here is the link for the tranny cooler thread