Auto Trans Upgrades

[labontecsi]

Aside from the Magtec pan and the shift kit, are there any other upgrades that can be had before going to a fully built trans? Any inexpensive internal mods etc.:dontknow:
I'd like to make my stock trans as strong as possible to try and get as much life as possible out of it.

 

[Annu Kumar]

where the hell is Bone he could answer you question

 

[rhino75]

I'd like to know the same thing. How much would it be to build one stronger?

 

[rottenronnie]

Aside from the Magtec pan and the shift kit, are there any other upgrades that can be had before going to a fully built trans? Any inexpensive internal mods etc.:dontknow:
I'd like to make my stock trans as strong as possible to try and get as much life as possible out of it.

I went through (2) transmissions in less than 100 miles last Summer, so I know what NOT to do!
Without taking it out and apart, there isn't anything else I can think of...the shift kit will increase line pressure and help keep the frictional parts intact.
As far as keeping it alive, you can keep the bands adjusted and fluid clean but in performance use, I'm afraid its only a matter of time before it will need to be repaired or upgraded. In stock trim, they need some help. Once you remove the TQ management (like with a flash), they don't last a LONG time...
Do your burnouts in manual low (that applies the band) and is stronger than doing a burnout in Drive.

 

[JTS VENOM PERFORMANCE]

I went through (2) transmissions in less than 100 miles last Summer, so I know what NOT to do!
Without taking it out and apart, there isn't anything else I can think of...the shift kit will increase line pressure and help keep the frictional parts intact.
As far as keeping it alive, you can keep the bands adjusted and fluid clean but in performance use, I'm afraid its only a matter of time before it will need to be repaired or upgraded. In stock trim, they need some help.

Ronnie, sorry got abazillion things going but, how about an upgraded tranny cooler, heck right now I cant even think of where the stock one is but would a larger cooler help ?

Now that I think of it, maybe not, the biggest problem with these trannies is the clutch material comming thru the engine?

 

[rottenronnie]

Ronnie, sorry got abazillion things going but, how about an upgraded tranny cooler, heck right now I cant even think of where the stock one is but would a larger cooler help ?

Now that I think of it, maybe not, the biggest problem with these trannies is the clutch material comming thru the engine?

Hey Stink!
I'm Not an expert on trannys but keeping them cool is a biggie, I am told, so a bigger cooler could help for sure. It is below freezing here at night already so no worries up here.

If band material gets into the cooler lines which it will and does on a failure, it is important to replace the check valve in the cooler line ... and flush everything out thoroughly including the converter.

In answer to Labontecsi's question, it should be around $2500-$3500 to do a decent build that you can live with on the street. It is a bit of a compromise here strength and longevity is what you need. Mine is a little "harsh" on the 1-2 during light throttle but great at w.o.t. AND it has lasted a whopping 750 miles already so if it makes it 1000, it will have been worth it all Except the 7 weeks of downtime and the cash part...

I didn't want one, but a shift kit is an important addition and that super flimsy band has got to go. I went with a rigid band from a 1970 440 New Yorker that has actual band material and not a spray on coating like the o.e.m. band. Joe at Westminster Trans. was a big help with info to the guy that built mine.

Rotten

 

[Annu Kumar]

I went through (2) transmissions in less than 100 miles last Summer, so I know what NOT to do!
Without taking it out and apart, there isn't anything else I can think of...the shift kit will increase line pressure and help keep the frictional parts intact.
As far as keeping it alive, you can keep the bands adjusted and fluid clean but in performance use, I'm afraid its only a matter of time before it will need to be repaired or upgraded. In stock trim, they need some help. Once you remove the TQ management (like with a flash), they don't last a LONG time...
Do your burnouts in manual low (that applies the band) and is stronger than doing a burnout in Drive.

My tranny has been totally fine since i got the flash (almost 2 years now) So are you saying its a matter of time before mines goes out as well:dontknow: But some guys have had better luck than you Ronnie

 

[rottenronnie]

My tranny has been totally fine since i got the flash (almost 2 years now) So are you saying its a matter of time before mines goes out as well:dontknow: But some guys have had better luck than you Ronnie

Annu, yeah that part looked a little unclear on a re-read.

The factory used TQ management on these for a reason and it seems a w.o.t. gear change really works them hard if the TQ management is removed. Mine lasted around 35000 miles (more than 2 years) with a flash, and 30 or so trips down the track but as soon as the drag radials and h.p. upgrades went in, it failed almost right away.
I guess it depends how you use your truck. No one can really say for sure just how long anything will last; it is just a bunch of mechanical parts. An occasional blast and anyone's tranny should be fine for quite a while. I just don't fall into the occasional blast category anymore so I have to keep on top of everything.

 

[FlyingLow]

You guys with a mag tech pan did it come with a filter extension so the filter can reach further into the pan?

 

[jrgnd]

Whatever you do, don't use nitrous on the auto trannies. They will fail pretty quickly. My lasted 10,000 on a $7000 build...I have every single freaking upgrade under the sun and cost another $2500 to rebuild the soft parts..But in my situation the valve buddy failed...Transgo :argh: ...

 

[rottenronnie]

Whatever you do, don't use nitrous on the auto trannies. They will fail pretty quickly. My lasted 10,000 on a $7000 build...I have every single freaking upgrade under the sun and cost another $2500 to rebuild the soft parts..But in my situation the valve buddy failed...Transgo :argh: ...

What about using it on the engines?

They aren't a super-strong unit are they? I guess that is why SO many go right to a Powerglide in the really high powered cars. Although I don't think there is much of the original 'glide in those either...

Transgo- I don't think they have done any R&D since the early 70s. Their shift kits feel EXACTLY the same now as then. I know this because I have one.

 

[Annu Kumar]

Annu, yeah that part looked a little unclear on a re-read.

The factory used TQ management on these for a reason and it seems a w.o.t. gear change really works them hard if the TQ management is removed. Mine lasted around 35000 miles (more than 2 years) with a flash, and 30 or so trips down the track but as soon as the drag radials and h.p. upgrades went in, it failed almost right away.
I guess it depends how you use your truck. No one can really say for sure just how long anything will last; it is just a bunch of mechanical parts. An occasional blast and anyone's tranny should be fine for quite a while. I just don't fall into the occasional blast category anymore so I have to keep on top of everything.

Wait hold on.......... when I first talked to Dan At Dc he told me that the torque management was there because of towing. He said longest i dont tow with it (with the Flash also) i should be fine.

 

[rottenronnie]

Wait hold on.......... when I first talked to Dan At Dc he told me that the torque management was there because of towing. He said longest i dont tow with it (with the Flash also) i should be fine.

Dan is the man.
Him and Chris haven't given me bogus info on any topic yet!

 

[jrgnd]

What about using it on the engines?

Believe it or not, I have gone 22K hard miles spraying a lean 100 shot on top of the blower in winter and thank God it's still holding...All stock motor reciprocating assembly...

It really depends on how you drive it...I also didn't drag or sprayed unless the oil temp was 145-150F at launch...

 

[labontecsi]

According to my Autometer Trans Temp Guage, mine rarely goes over 150 in normal driving. It went to about 190 hotlapping in Panama City.

 

[6pakattack]

You guys with a mag tech pan did it come with a filter extension so the filter can reach further into the pan?

:rock: YES,MINE DID !!

 

[rottenronnie]

Believe it or not, I have gone 22K hard miles spraying a lean 100 shot on top of the blower in winter and thank God it's still holding...All stock motor reciprocating assembly...

It really depends on how you drive it...I also didn't drag or sprayed unless the oil temp was 145-150F at launch...

That is great news and I do think the Paxton is the way to go if going the f.i. route, I.M.H.O.
I haven't gone the nitrous route so far, but I can feel it's irresistible pull....

 

[amtrucker22]

You guys with a mag tech pan did it come with a filter extension so the filter can reach further into the pan?

Yes it does Scott

 

[jrgnd]

According to my Autometer Trans Temp Guage, mine rarely goes over 150 in normal driving. It went to about 190 hotlapping in Panama City.

I am sorry, I meant engine oil...Trans temp? Are we suppose to check that?...kiddin..

 

[rottenronnie]

I am sorry, I meant engine oil...Trans temp? Are we suppose to check that?...kiddin..

Do you notice ANY difference in power when you remove the B&B Hi-Flows for the track? Sorry, I just saw that in your sig...