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

 

Cool...Same t-stat as an LS1, so I might even have one handy.

Thanks for the suggestion, Mike

 

No problem. The car also still gives off good heat with it too, even in the winter.

-Mike

 

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.

 

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

 

That makes perfect sense, however, we have no TCM control with the DiabloSport, so I don't think there's much Lew can do in terms of lock-up.

I think that would be a band-aide anyway, as the converter is obviously WAY out of spec.

 

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.

 

I am going to go out on a limb and say it's the converter. I bet they even put your old one back in when they put the new trans. back in. Just a guess...

-Mike

 

The dealer documentation says they put a converter in it along with the tranny. I'd tend to believe that, since the car is behaving completely differently...It's acting like it has a stall converter and is generating much more heat than before under the same conditions. Also, the trans didn't make any noise before.

I guess we'll know more when I take it back to them next Monday!

 

Man I hate to see you with all these transmission problems.

At least it's all being documented.

 

Thanks, Man. I've been pretty patient with this car, but I'm getting close to the end of my rope.

 

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.

 

But do you need to take the trans out to install a new valve body

 

You either need to drop the subframe or pull the trans completely to replace the valve body. There's no room to get it out with it in the car.

 

wow that blow a big one i thought you would be able to get to it threw the pan like most other cars

 

Nope, it's not in the pan. It's sits up vertically.

 

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.

 

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

 

nope..... im not sure if i feel like pulling the trans.. but i guess if i am in there i may as well.

 

The valve is about $5.00. And after spending some time at the shop yesterday when I pickled up my car, I learned that it MAY be possible to replace this with the trans in the car, but it's exceedingly difficult. I was told it's probably easier just to pull the the tranny.