Transmission Upgrade Project
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I went with this thermo. It didn't ever give me a check engine light even when I had the stock tune. Your milage may drop a couple of tenths but it keeps everything nice and cool. It isn't that hard to change. If you do decide to do it just PM me.
http://www.slponline.com/view_product.asp?P=100228
I thought I had a bad converter too until I sold my old build and the guy who tore it down told me what he found. Nice, huh? I couldn't be happier with the TEP trans. It is a nice firm shift and is worlds apart from a stock transmission.
-Mike
http://www.slponline.com/view_product.asp?P=100228
I thought I had a bad converter too until I sold my old build and the guy who tore it down told me what he found. Nice, huh? I couldn't be happier with the TEP trans. It is a nice firm shift and is worlds apart from a stock transmission.
-Mike
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Update:
Drivability with this remanufactured trans SUCKS. I think it's all related to the torque converter that was installed with it, as it seems to act like it's got a lot of stall. I spent about 20 minutes on the phone with Dave at TEP, and it looks like I'll probably be buying a new converter to go with this valve body. I'm even considering just getting a TEP trans, if I can make a good enough deal.
This is getting VERY old.
Drivability with this remanufactured trans SUCKS. I think it's all related to the torque converter that was installed with it, as it seems to act like it's got a lot of stall. I spent about 20 minutes on the phone with Dave at TEP, and it looks like I'll probably be buying a new converter to go with this valve body. I'm even considering just getting a TEP trans, if I can make a good enough deal.
This is getting VERY old.
#25
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Update:
Drivability with this remanufactured trans SUCKS. I think it's all related to the torque converter that was installed with it, as it seems to act like it's got a lot of stall. I spent about 20 minutes on the phone with Dave at TEP, and it looks like I'll probably be buying a new converter to go with this valve body. I'm even considering just getting a TEP trans, if I can make a good enough deal.
This is getting VERY old.
Drivability with this remanufactured trans SUCKS. I think it's all related to the torque converter that was installed with it, as it seems to act like it's got a lot of stall. I spent about 20 minutes on the phone with Dave at TEP, and it looks like I'll probably be buying a new converter to go with this valve body. I'm even considering just getting a TEP trans, if I can make a good enough deal.
This is getting VERY old.
Jim
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A sugestion...I am more famliar with SCT than Diabo Tuned. It should be possible to program converter lock up just after shift to second or before shift to third. Less heat and better driveability. I think delaying lock up is like driving around slipping the clutch. Let me know what you think.
Jim
Jim
I think that would be a band-aide anyway, as the converter is obviously WAY out of spec.
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Another update:
When getting ready to go out the another night, I walked out to the car as my wife was putting it in gear to back up. As soon as she put it in reverse, the trans began to whine. I had her run through the gears, and it only makes this sound when in a forward gear or reverse. I talked to Dave at TEP, and he thinks it's either the converter or the pump. Either way, it's going back in to the dealer AGAIN.
As much as I liek the car, I'm really starting to regret buying it.
When getting ready to go out the another night, I walked out to the car as my wife was putting it in gear to back up. As soon as she put it in reverse, the trans began to whine. I had her run through the gears, and it only makes this sound when in a forward gear or reverse. I talked to Dave at TEP, and he thinks it's either the converter or the pump. Either way, it's going back in to the dealer AGAIN.
As much as I liek the car, I'm really starting to regret buying it.
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I guess we'll know more when I take it back to them next Monday!
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1/10/2011 Update:
Spoke to the shop that's doing the work this morning, and it looks like the car will be done on Wednesday. Here's a few things that I found out when I talked to Brian at Reb's:
The GM SERTA transmission the dealer put in my car about 3000 miles prior to this work is in good condition. There was no material in the pan or valve body, everything was in order. The only thing remotely out of the ordinary was that some of the steels had some burn marks, but this was most likely because they were reused from GM's SERTA parts bin. Brian replaced these with new ones, just to be on the safe side. Needless to say, I'm shocked at how good the condition is of this remanufactured tranny. I'm much more confident that I'm building on a strong foundation for a reliable transmission.
One of the other things Dave @ TEP recommends is to take some of the clearance out of the 2-3 clutch pack. When Brian measured the clearance in my 2-3 clutch pack, it was .150, which is in-spec, but very close to the limit. This was tightened up quite a bit before reassembly. Hopefully, this will have a positive impact on 2-3 shift quality and speed.
The TransGo shift-kit is going in today, and that should wrap up the transmission surgery.
So far, so good. I'll post when I know more!
BTW: The new torque converter than came with the SERTA transmission is in good shape, if anyone is interested. I'm ordered a new converter to go with this valve body just in case this one was trashed. Since there was no material found in the transmission, we can assume that the torque converter clutch is still one piece. It's only got about 3000 miles on it, and seems to have a lot more stall than the previous converters I've had. Drop me a PM if you're interested.
Spoke to the shop that's doing the work this morning, and it looks like the car will be done on Wednesday. Here's a few things that I found out when I talked to Brian at Reb's:
The GM SERTA transmission the dealer put in my car about 3000 miles prior to this work is in good condition. There was no material in the pan or valve body, everything was in order. The only thing remotely out of the ordinary was that some of the steels had some burn marks, but this was most likely because they were reused from GM's SERTA parts bin. Brian replaced these with new ones, just to be on the safe side. Needless to say, I'm shocked at how good the condition is of this remanufactured tranny. I'm much more confident that I'm building on a strong foundation for a reliable transmission.
One of the other things Dave @ TEP recommends is to take some of the clearance out of the 2-3 clutch pack. When Brian measured the clearance in my 2-3 clutch pack, it was .150, which is in-spec, but very close to the limit. This was tightened up quite a bit before reassembly. Hopefully, this will have a positive impact on 2-3 shift quality and speed.
The TransGo shift-kit is going in today, and that should wrap up the transmission surgery.
So far, so good. I'll post when I know more!
BTW: The new torque converter than came with the SERTA transmission is in good shape, if anyone is interested. I'm ordered a new converter to go with this valve body just in case this one was trashed. Since there was no material found in the transmission, we can assume that the torque converter clutch is still one piece. It's only got about 3000 miles on it, and seems to have a lot more stall than the previous converters I've had. Drop me a PM if you're interested.
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How much was the relief valve? I am digging into mine this weekend again to add a magnet, shift kit, and replace the pressure solinoid. figure the relief valve couldnt hurt.
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I believe he said in there you need to pull the trans to replace the valve.
It is cheap...
I hope this link copies right: http://www.sonnax.com/product-lines/.../filter?filter[make]=1&filter[unit]=231
It is cheap...
I hope this link copies right: http://www.sonnax.com/product-lines/.../filter?filter[make]=1&filter[unit]=231
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I believe he said in there you need to pull the trans to replace the valve.
It is cheap...
I hope this link copies right: http://www.sonnax.com/product-lines/.../filter?filter[make]=1&filter[unit]=231
It is cheap...
I hope this link copies right: http://www.sonnax.com/product-lines/.../filter?filter[make]=1&filter[unit]=231