Shift kit and/or programmer?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Murphy, Texas
Shift kit and/or programmer? Not sure what to do...
My 2001 A4 SS vert is bone stock and has 61k miles. I bought the car about 2000 miles ago and I think the previous owners (older couple) had the trans fluid changed while they owned it (they were original owners) but I'm not sure. Anyway, I'm going to change the fluid and filter regardless.
So...if I'm in there doing the fluid/filter what's the disadvantage of just spending a few extra bucks and putting in a shift kit, like one from TransGo for instance? I was thinking of buying a Predator handheld to get rid of TM, would that be overkill combining the two (shift kit + no TM = kaboom) or should I skip the kit and just change fluids and get crisp shifting with the programmer alone. I figure I should do a tranny cooler while I'm at it (eventually want to do stall, gears then cam, etc). What's a good trans cooler to buy? And what trans fluid is best (I know, that's like asking what beer is best
)?
Any advice or suggestions are gratefully accepted!
My 2001 A4 SS vert is bone stock and has 61k miles. I bought the car about 2000 miles ago and I think the previous owners (older couple) had the trans fluid changed while they owned it (they were original owners) but I'm not sure. Anyway, I'm going to change the fluid and filter regardless.
So...if I'm in there doing the fluid/filter what's the disadvantage of just spending a few extra bucks and putting in a shift kit, like one from TransGo for instance? I was thinking of buying a Predator handheld to get rid of TM, would that be overkill combining the two (shift kit + no TM = kaboom) or should I skip the kit and just change fluids and get crisp shifting with the programmer alone. I figure I should do a tranny cooler while I'm at it (eventually want to do stall, gears then cam, etc). What's a good trans cooler to buy? And what trans fluid is best (I know, that's like asking what beer is best
)?Any advice or suggestions are gratefully accepted!
I wouldn't do the shift kit unless you take the transmission out and do the standard upgrades in there as well. The TransGo HD kit comes with parts that go inside the trans also, some people skip that step. I'd get the kit, their high rev pump ring kit ($10), aluminum fwd and 1-2 accumulators, a better 3-4 clutch, and a HD sunshell.
As far as torque management, you need to delete it 100%. If you run TM with a shift kit it will fall on it's face during a hard shift. I even hit TM in my car when it was stock.
IMO if you don't want to eliminate TM, don't even bother doing anything to the transmission.
As far as torque management, you need to delete it 100%. If you run TM with a shift kit it will fall on it's face during a hard shift. I even hit TM in my car when it was stock.
IMO if you don't want to eliminate TM, don't even bother doing anything to the transmission.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 31
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From: Murphy, Texas
I wouldn't do the shift kit unless you take the transmission out and do the standard upgrades in there as well. The TransGo HD kit comes with parts that go inside the trans also, some people skip that step. I'd get the kit, their high rev pump ring kit ($10), aluminum fwd and 1-2 accumulators, a better 3-4 clutch, and a HD sunshell.
As far as torque management, you need to delete it 100%. If you run TM with a shift kit it will fall on it's face during a hard shift. I even hit TM in my car when it was stock.
IMO if you don't want to eliminate TM, don't even bother doing anything to the transmission.
As far as torque management, you need to delete it 100%. If you run TM with a shift kit it will fall on it's face during a hard shift. I even hit TM in my car when it was stock.
IMO if you don't want to eliminate TM, don't even bother doing anything to the transmission.
But IMO the sunshell becomes more prone to failure with firmer shifts, and the 3-4 clutch is a known weak spot. The pump rings are $10. The factory accumulator pistons for 1-2 and FWD are plastic and can break. I'd get a borg warner hi energy band with stronger mounting lugs on it.
Thats approx $200 in extra parts to increase the durability and life of the transmission in addition to the shift kit.
As far as instructions it's pretty much R&R but you need to get the 3-4 clutch clearance right. You need a spring compressor to install the 3-4 springs so a trans shop might be a good idea on that part.
Some people have problems understanding the instructions for the shift kit, which I can understand it being a problem for someone who has never seen the inside of a transmission before.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 31
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From: Murphy, Texas
The kit comes with hi-rev 3-4, and FWD return springs that need to go inside the transmission, they go inside the input drum so the transmission has to come out.
But IMO the sunshell becomes more prone to failure with firmer shifts, and the 3-4 clutch is a known weak spot. The pump rings are $10. The factory accumulator pistons for 1-2 and FWD are plastic and can break. I'd get a borg warner hi energy band with stronger mounting lugs on it.
Thats approx $200 in extra parts to increase the durability and life of the transmission in addition to the shift kit.
As far as instructions it's pretty much R&R but you need to get the 3-4 clutch clearance right. You need a spring compressor to install the 3-4 springs so a trans shop might be a good idea on that part.
Some people have problems understanding the instructions for the shift kit, which I can understand it being a problem for someone who has never seen the inside of a transmission before.
But IMO the sunshell becomes more prone to failure with firmer shifts, and the 3-4 clutch is a known weak spot. The pump rings are $10. The factory accumulator pistons for 1-2 and FWD are plastic and can break. I'd get a borg warner hi energy band with stronger mounting lugs on it.
Thats approx $200 in extra parts to increase the durability and life of the transmission in addition to the shift kit.
As far as instructions it's pretty much R&R but you need to get the 3-4 clutch clearance right. You need a spring compressor to install the 3-4 springs so a trans shop might be a good idea on that part.
Some people have problems understanding the instructions for the shift kit, which I can understand it being a problem for someone who has never seen the inside of a transmission before.
I'm really shying away from dropping the trans. If I do that, I might as well do the stall but the funds just aren't there right now. For now I was wanting to get the handheld so I can get rid of TM and figured while I was changing tranny fluid I might as well do a trans kit and whatever parts I could without dropping the trans. What would be the best kit for that project, or is it not worth the time/money to put in a "basic" trans kit? Thanks!!!
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Murphy, Texas
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Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Murphy, Texas
I looked on eBay for "Transgo 4l60e hd2" and found quite a few available. Not sure why they run from 76 to 113 bucks depending on vendor, maybe shipping? Also some have the kit listed as Transgo 4l60e hd2A. Not sure what the "A" means if anything.