Trans-Go hd2.....Yes or No
Trans-Go hd2.....Yes or No I am debating on weather or not to go with a Trans-Go hd2 shift kit. My Trans has 70k miles and has a SS4000 YANK. My line pressure is "boosted" and has killed (2) of my previous 4L60e's. I want to return my line pressure back to stock, but still have the same 2nd gear chirp if you know what i mean. It shifts really hard know and I love it. I got an estimate for $150 to install the shift kit. Should I do it????
You can have nice firm tire chirping/spinning 2nd gear shifts without raising the pressure so high it pops the trans. Take the pressure down a notch.
Mine was tuned with additional line pressure and the tuner specifically told me that he limited how high he set it so that it didn't beat itself to death. It lasted till 189k miles with a big stall. Then the 3-4 clutches went out. Mine lasted longer with mods than most do stock.
Mine was tuned with additional line pressure and the tuner specifically told me that he limited how high he set it so that it didn't beat itself to death. It lasted till 189k miles with a big stall. Then the 3-4 clutches went out. Mine lasted longer with mods than most do stock.
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
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From: Ann Arbor, MI
Let me make an analogy to a manual trans with clutch.
If you always release the clutch too slowly, you will wear out the clutch.
At the other extreme, you can side-step the clutch for a near instantaneous engagement and a tire "chirp"; all of us (well most anyway) know that is extremely hard on the drivetrain. In other words, there is an optimal release speed. The same is true for an automatic trans. While the stock line pressure and programming are too soft for constant performance use, too high a pressure and over-zealous shift kit mods can destroy the drivetrain.
Installing the HD2 with the softest settings is probably a good way to go.
If you always release the clutch too slowly, you will wear out the clutch.
At the other extreme, you can side-step the clutch for a near instantaneous engagement and a tire "chirp"; all of us (well most anyway) know that is extremely hard on the drivetrain. In other words, there is an optimal release speed. The same is true for an automatic trans. While the stock line pressure and programming are too soft for constant performance use, too high a pressure and over-zealous shift kit mods can destroy the drivetrain.
Installing the HD2 with the softest settings is probably a good way to go.
The price your were quoted sounds cheap considering what the price of the SK costs. I would verify this and also ask if the full kit is going to be installed. Keep in mind that there are modes that are done to the input drum that require that the pump and some other components be removed from the transmission. Another option to look into is a sonnax performance kit. Its been out for a while now and I have been seeing some good reviews on it. I myself have been using a modified TG-2 kit for many years for what its worth.
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I'm running the HD-2 in my lvl 5 trans and Yank SS4000 WITHOUT increased line pressure and it's got a really good feel on shifts. It's not too harsh, but it's very fast. It does snap your neck a little, but it's not as hard as some other cars i've rode in. I don't chirp 2nd but I think that's down to the brand new tires and stall.
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Verdad Gallardo Moderator
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 529
From: Ann Arbor, MI
The price your were quoted sounds cheap considering what the price of the SK costs. I would verify this and also ask if the full kit is going to be installed. Keep in mind that there are modes that are done to the input drum that require that the pump and some other components be removed from the transmission. Another option to look into is a sonnax performance kit. Its been out for a while now and I have been seeing some good reviews on it. I myself have been using a modified TG-2 kit for many years for what its worth.
The internal mods to the input drum are optional and designed to improve the 3/4 clutch life in high rpm situations. This consists of stronger springs for the 3/4 clutch release spring-cage (also for the forward/overrun release spring cage) and replacing the input drum's 3/4 check-valve with a simple orifice. However, others (Superior??) make a spring loaded high RPM check-valve that is likely better than the HD-2 part.
In short the "main parts" of the HD-2 kit do not require removing the trans; if the trans is apart, it includes some optional parts.
The HD-2 kit is only $80 from Summit. The Sonnax performance kit is about $120; having studied the Sonnax parts and read the instructions, I think the HD-2 kit does a bit more. The Sonnax kit does have an interesting replacement 2-3 shift valve, but that info should be saved for another thread.
Again, just my opinions.
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 24,241
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From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
I've ran with just the tune, 3200 and 4k, and now with the 4k the tune and an HD2. The only thing I had to do when the HD2 went in was lower some of the low rpm part throttle 1/2 shifts. They got extremely hard. I dialed down a section of the table about 25% and all is well.
My answer for your question is A. find a better tuner or B. install the kit and go back to stock settings. It would help if we could see whats in your trans tune so we could see if that is suspect.
My answer for your question is A. find a better tuner or B. install the kit and go back to stock settings. It would help if we could see whats in your trans tune so we could see if that is suspect.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,216
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From: Wichita KS / Rancho San Diego
I paid $150 to have it installed with the tranny out in 2005. The best time to do it is when the tranny is out for a converter install or some other reason ... then the pump can be removed etc. as above.
The convential wisdom is that if you install the kit, keep line pressure settings stock. So I run the most aggressive stock line pressure settings from the 00 and 02 operating systems.
If you want firm shift quality and good oiling with a small diameter hi-stall converter, the HD-2 kit really works.
The convential wisdom is that if you install the kit, keep line pressure settings stock. So I run the most aggressive stock line pressure settings from the 00 and 02 operating systems.
If you want firm shift quality and good oiling with a small diameter hi-stall converter, the HD-2 kit really works.
