Anybody's ST3500s Causing Transmission problems?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 48
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From: Richmond, Va.
Anybody's ST3500s Causing Transmission problems? Has anyone experienced or heard of this. Also I received a hpp3 for Christmas and had a couple of questions. 1) Does programming really help the car that much(01 SS). 2)Do I need this when I do get a converter to change shift points and firmness.3) What kind of shift points and firmness setting is anyone with an 01 SS using. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
[ December 27, 2001: Message edited by: Patrick G ]</p>
[ December 27, 2001: Message edited by: Patrick G ]</p>
Re: Anybody's ST3500s Causing Transmission problems? You can't just say your converter is causing tranny problems without being specific. What's wrong? What was the car doing before that it's not doing now? Are you running a ported MAF or stock MAF? Converters, properly installed, won't cause tranny problems. Need the info.
On your HPP3, they are very valuable in the power and shifting department. Use the Power Tuning if running a stock MAF (highly recommended on an '01), set your shift firmness to 100% and see if you like it, raise top speed gov. to 255mph, lower fan settings to 180 degrees if running stock thermostat, raise shift points to give you maximum ET reduction at the track (ususally around 6000 rpms on 1-2 shift and 6200 on 2-3 shift (for stock cam).
Give us some more info and we'll give you some more answers...be very specific.
On your HPP3, they are very valuable in the power and shifting department. Use the Power Tuning if running a stock MAF (highly recommended on an '01), set your shift firmness to 100% and see if you like it, raise top speed gov. to 255mph, lower fan settings to 180 degrees if running stock thermostat, raise shift points to give you maximum ET reduction at the track (ususally around 6000 rpms on 1-2 shift and 6200 on 2-3 shift (for stock cam).
Give us some more info and we'll give you some more answers...be very specific.
__________________
2013 Corvette Grand Sport A6 LME forged 416, Greg Good ported TFS 255 LS3 heads, 222/242 .629"/.604" 121LSA Pat G blower cam, ARH 1 7/8" headers, ESC Novi 1500 Supercharger w/8 rib direct drive conversion, 747rwhp/709rwtq on 93 octane, 801rwhp/735rwtq on race fuel, 10.1 @ 147.25mph 1/4 mile, 174.7mph Half Mile.
2016 Corvette Z51 M7 Magnuson Heartbeat 2300 supercharger, TSP LT headers, Pat G tuned, 667rwhp, 662rwtq, 191mph TX Mile.
2009.5 Pontiac G8 GT 6.0L, A6, AFR 230v2 heads. 506rwhp/442rwtq. 11.413 @ 121.29mph 1/4 mile, 168.7mph TX Mile
2000 Pewter Ram Air Trans Am M6 heads/cam 508 rwhp/445 rwtq SAE, 183.092 TX Mile
2022 Cadillac Escalade 6.2L A10 S&B CAI, Corsa catback.
2023 Corvette 3LT Z51 soon to be modified.
Custom LSX tuning in person or via email press here.
2013 Corvette Grand Sport A6 LME forged 416, Greg Good ported TFS 255 LS3 heads, 222/242 .629"/.604" 121LSA Pat G blower cam, ARH 1 7/8" headers, ESC Novi 1500 Supercharger w/8 rib direct drive conversion, 747rwhp/709rwtq on 93 octane, 801rwhp/735rwtq on race fuel, 10.1 @ 147.25mph 1/4 mile, 174.7mph Half Mile.
2016 Corvette Z51 M7 Magnuson Heartbeat 2300 supercharger, TSP LT headers, Pat G tuned, 667rwhp, 662rwtq, 191mph TX Mile.
2009.5 Pontiac G8 GT 6.0L, A6, AFR 230v2 heads. 506rwhp/442rwtq. 11.413 @ 121.29mph 1/4 mile, 168.7mph TX Mile
2000 Pewter Ram Air Trans Am M6 heads/cam 508 rwhp/445 rwtq SAE, 183.092 TX Mile
2022 Cadillac Escalade 6.2L A10 S&B CAI, Corsa catback.
2023 Corvette 3LT Z51 soon to be modified.
Custom LSX tuning in person or via email press here.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Richmond, Va.
Re: Anybody's ST3500s Causing Transmission problems? I do not have the converter yet, I am considering getting one, but saw on another post that they were causing problems. The post was not specific. As far as the hpp3, my mods are Whisper lid and k&n. Stock maf with screen out and nothing else. It sill has the stock thermostat, so would you recommend changing it. Sorry I was not more specific I am new to this forum. Thanks for the reply.
Re: Anybody's ST3500s Causing Transmission problems? If you run the Hypertech Power tuning, I recommend using the 160 degree thermostat. Your title makes it sound like the converter caused the problem...poor choice of words IMO.
__________________
2013 Corvette Grand Sport A6 LME forged 416, Greg Good ported TFS 255 LS3 heads, 222/242 .629"/.604" 121LSA Pat G blower cam, ARH 1 7/8" headers, ESC Novi 1500 Supercharger w/8 rib direct drive conversion, 747rwhp/709rwtq on 93 octane, 801rwhp/735rwtq on race fuel, 10.1 @ 147.25mph 1/4 mile, 174.7mph Half Mile.
2016 Corvette Z51 M7 Magnuson Heartbeat 2300 supercharger, TSP LT headers, Pat G tuned, 667rwhp, 662rwtq, 191mph TX Mile.
2009.5 Pontiac G8 GT 6.0L, A6, AFR 230v2 heads. 506rwhp/442rwtq. 11.413 @ 121.29mph 1/4 mile, 168.7mph TX Mile
2000 Pewter Ram Air Trans Am M6 heads/cam 508 rwhp/445 rwtq SAE, 183.092 TX Mile
2022 Cadillac Escalade 6.2L A10 S&B CAI, Corsa catback.
2023 Corvette 3LT Z51 soon to be modified.
Custom LSX tuning in person or via email press here.
2013 Corvette Grand Sport A6 LME forged 416, Greg Good ported TFS 255 LS3 heads, 222/242 .629"/.604" 121LSA Pat G blower cam, ARH 1 7/8" headers, ESC Novi 1500 Supercharger w/8 rib direct drive conversion, 747rwhp/709rwtq on 93 octane, 801rwhp/735rwtq on race fuel, 10.1 @ 147.25mph 1/4 mile, 174.7mph Half Mile.
2016 Corvette Z51 M7 Magnuson Heartbeat 2300 supercharger, TSP LT headers, Pat G tuned, 667rwhp, 662rwtq, 191mph TX Mile.
2009.5 Pontiac G8 GT 6.0L, A6, AFR 230v2 heads. 506rwhp/442rwtq. 11.413 @ 121.29mph 1/4 mile, 168.7mph TX Mile
2000 Pewter Ram Air Trans Am M6 heads/cam 508 rwhp/445 rwtq SAE, 183.092 TX Mile
2022 Cadillac Escalade 6.2L A10 S&B CAI, Corsa catback.
2023 Corvette 3LT Z51 soon to be modified.
Custom LSX tuning in person or via email press here.
Launching!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
From: North Tonawanda - New York
Re: Anybody's ST3500s Causing Transmission problems? Rec,
I have an 01 SS and a Yank ST3500 converter installed for a few months now. The converter is awesome ! The only problem you may encounter on the 01 is an issue with the converter setting off your SES light and getting stuck in 3rd gear until you shut the car off and turn it back on. The problem only happens if you keep the tranny in OD for an extended period of time in stop and go traffic only. I drive my 01 SS in D all around town and never get the problem any more. On the thruway I put it in OD and it is fine.
If you want something a bit tamer then get a TT3000 with a 2.5 STR or maybe a Yank 3000. I can;t help you with the HP III yet as I am not getting one until the weather clears up a bit here in Buffalo. I would say that Patrick's info on the HPIII is pretty darn accurate from what I've read but I would not put line pressure (shift firmness) at 100% - keep it at 50% or 25% higher than the original setting. High line pressure all the time can lead to premature tranny failure.
Good Luck,
Mitch R.
I have an 01 SS and a Yank ST3500 converter installed for a few months now. The converter is awesome ! The only problem you may encounter on the 01 is an issue with the converter setting off your SES light and getting stuck in 3rd gear until you shut the car off and turn it back on. The problem only happens if you keep the tranny in OD for an extended period of time in stop and go traffic only. I drive my 01 SS in D all around town and never get the problem any more. On the thruway I put it in OD and it is fine.
If you want something a bit tamer then get a TT3000 with a 2.5 STR or maybe a Yank 3000. I can;t help you with the HP III yet as I am not getting one until the weather clears up a bit here in Buffalo. I would say that Patrick's info on the HPIII is pretty darn accurate from what I've read but I would not put line pressure (shift firmness) at 100% - keep it at 50% or 25% higher than the original setting. High line pressure all the time can lead to premature tranny failure.
Good Luck,
Mitch R.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 356
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From: Tucson, AZ
Re: Anybody's ST3500s Causing Transmission problems? Hypertech tuning sucks!!! Had to vent.
I thought this originally but a week ago or so when I was at the track I tried without, then added it to give it a shot and see if the ET's changed. Not only did they not change (no significantly poorer times though) but the car pinged really louder in the top end.
I'm sure someone else may know better about Hypertech tuning than me, but my SS hates it.
I thought this originally but a week ago or so when I was at the track I tried without, then added it to give it a shot and see if the ET's changed. Not only did they not change (no significantly poorer times though) but the car pinged really louder in the top end.
I'm sure someone else may know better about Hypertech tuning than me, but my SS hates it.
Re: Anybody's ST3500s Causing Transmission problems? Actually higher line pressure protects the trans. Thats why when they go into limp mode (in some models) they shift very hard. To protect themselves the pressure is increased. The firmness of the shift is harsh, the clutched etc do not slip as much due to the pressure applied...ie less wear.
When a 4l60e gets stuck in 3rd, its in "its" limp mode.......I suspect the st3500 and some others are lowering the pressure in the trans.....of course I have not put a gauge on one before and after......that would show it......
Another limp cause is lower voltage to the trans.......some time caused by low voltage at cruise (pullies) which the trans senses and to protect itself goes to limp mode b(stuck in third gear).
There are three different voltage limits that it looks for depending on trans temperature. So guys in hotter climates or with out an extra trans cooler or two may have the problem when others do not. 11.9 @ 220 11.3 @ 190 10.9 @ 160 thats just approxiamate......I m doing this from memory you know.....
And the voltage TO tHE TRANS needs to be low for 2 minutes (maybe just 1 minute) so it happens ussually when cruising on the hyway at low speeds in od ....ie low rpm ....= low voltage.
If you can stand it....up the pressure as high as it will go......the only reason for a soft shift is for comfort......a super hard shift is best for the trans life span.
When a 4l60e gets stuck in 3rd, its in "its" limp mode.......I suspect the st3500 and some others are lowering the pressure in the trans.....of course I have not put a gauge on one before and after......that would show it......
Another limp cause is lower voltage to the trans.......some time caused by low voltage at cruise (pullies) which the trans senses and to protect itself goes to limp mode b(stuck in third gear).
There are three different voltage limits that it looks for depending on trans temperature. So guys in hotter climates or with out an extra trans cooler or two may have the problem when others do not. 11.9 @ 220 11.3 @ 190 10.9 @ 160 thats just approxiamate......I m doing this from memory you know.....
And the voltage TO tHE TRANS needs to be low for 2 minutes (maybe just 1 minute) so it happens ussually when cruising on the hyway at low speeds in od ....ie low rpm ....= low voltage.
If you can stand it....up the pressure as high as it will go......the only reason for a soft shift is for comfort......a super hard shift is best for the trans life span.
