taws6

iTrader: (2)

Hi,

I'm considering a shift kit for my stock(ish) A4.

1. Will a mail order tune adjust my line pressures and firm up my shifts?

2. Would the tuning be nearly as good as a shift kit?

So, is one better than the other, or is it worth doing both?

P.S I will be getting the mail order tune when I do the LT and 3.73's.
I know, a dyno would be better....

Thanks for the advise

RevGTO

iTrader: (12)

If you're going to stick with a stock converter, then going with tuning alone will be ok. You can have the tuner bump up line pressure to firm up the shifts. You will also want to diminish or eliminate torque management and shorten shift times (by half, at least). You may wish to adjust your upshift and downshift points and your converter lock/unlock points.

If you're planning on an aftermarket hi-stall converter, I would definitely go with a Transgo HD-2 shift kit and leave the line pressure alone. The shift kit will give you mechanical advantages that tuning alone cannot give.

taws6

iTrader: (2)

Thanks for the reply RevGTO.

I was reading one of the stickies that doing both shift kit and line pressure increase isn't recomended.

I've herd the shift kit would be better than the line pressure increase, would you agree? (stock converter)

Tuning seems a whole new world to me.
Is it a case of get the shift kit, leave the line pressure alone, but I could safely eliminate/reduce torque management and shorten shift times with the mail order tune???

I'm assuming the mail order tunes do that sort of stuff.

Thanks for the help.

jimmyblue

iTrader: (11)

I bought a Trans-Go shift kit but never did install
it because I got a good enough rresult out of the
tuning.

I did not raise the mechanical line pressure limit,
just modified how fast it rolls on. There is plenty of
pressure available (at least for my torque level)
but the stock tune nickel-and-dimes you past the
point where it ought to be getting serious.

If you want crisper shifting I recommend zeroing
the desired time tables (to eliminate "learning",
which has no upside for performance) and work
the shift pressure and modifier tables to suit.

RevGTO

iTrader: (12)

I believe that both the shift kit with tuning offers the best of both worlds. The shift kit does a lot of things mechanically that can't be addressed by tuning ... better fluid feed by opening up feed holes, revised valving, increased accumulation, better hi-rpm oiling, etc. It makes sense to do the kit if you're pulling the tranny out to do a converter.

Yes, it's commonly accepted that you don't want to increase line pressure if you're also installing a shift kit. But if I were you, and was planning on getting a mail order tune, I'd talk to the tuner about the things I mentioned (and Jimmy also) and go with tuning for now. You could always do the shift kit later and revise your tune as needed. I would put the shift kit in if I was pulling the tranny for a converter install. I wouldn't pull the tranny just to do a shift kit, and I wouldn't go halfway on the shiftkit by doing it with the tranny in the car. JMPO.

taws6

iTrader: (2)

I'm not planning a converter, and would hate to pull the trans. I figured I'd just do the kit in the valve body to keep the install easy.

If I only install 'half' the shift kit, can a mail order tune work take it into account?

(I hear what you're saying, but I'd like to only get the mail order tune once if possable)

Many thanks for the advise.

RevGTO

iTrader: (12)

Yes, your tuner should be able to factor it in. At least, he should leave line pressure alone and eliminate third gear lock-up. The revised TCC valve in the kit will make lock-up very forceful and produce jerky behavior on the 3-4 shift - especially pronounced with a stock converter.

But as stated above, if you're not going to get a converter, I wouldn't bother with the shift kit. I think you can get what you're after with tuning. But each to his own.

taws6

iTrader: (2)

Thanks RevGTO, I appreciate your honest reply.

I guess I'm leaning towards just the tuning atm, hmm.....