what will help me more, I am looking to get my 97 to shift hard into 2nd.
I have a shift kit in my camaro and it slams into 2nd and squeels the tires.
I want my vet to do the same and don't know if resetting the trans with the hypertech will do this or do I need to get a shift kit installed?

of course the hypertech would be cheaper!
Thanks

 

"shift kits" are kinda old-tech in todays more modern computer-controlled automatic transmissions.

Anything that can be done via "shift kit" can be done with a handheld programer.
Except for pure racing applications, where I agree that the computer can't do enough... and a shift kit would be the only recourse.
Those that trailer their cars to the track each weekend can take these extreme steps, as they aren't concerned about the daily driveability of their track cars.


The beauty of a programer is that you can fine-tune your goals from the comfort of the drivers seat. And you can change settings when needed.

If I go to the track (which is rarely) I will set very aggressive A4 transmission parameters. Then just before I leave to drive home, I reprog back to my street settings.


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Having your stock A4 tranny constantly shifting very hard is not a good thing. The stock A4 is not a very strong tranny to begin with and boosting the line presure just so it will shift hard enough squeel the tires is a bad idea. If you're going to raise the line pressure just when you are racing like Mike Mercury is saying then it makes sense.

You might also want to check the Yank Converters web site under "FAQ" Yank does not recommend shift kits. They say they cause unwanted stress to your tranny and drive train because of high line pressures.

 

So even making the tranny shift harder with a programer is bad for it??

 

If you decide on a handheld I would not go with the hypertech since it will not program out torque management.

 

Since his car is a '97, he doesn't have a choice.

 

Did not realize that, I still would not recommend the hypertech. It will not give him what he is looking for. He needs to eliminate torque management as well as improve shift firmness. LS1 edit or HP tuner might be an option.

 

Ha, we're even! I did not know that the Hypertech didn't remove TM.

 

Since no one who has replied so far apparently even has a shift kit, I will provide my opinion in defense of.

The 4L60E transimissions are designed for a wide variety of average drivers, vehicles and uses. Like many other components on the C5, there is more potential available. As far as causing unwanted stress to your tranny and drive train, I disagree. The TransGo kit provides improved shifting, less slipage, improved lubrication/cooling, and better quality parts. Another misconception is that the tranny is constantly shifting hard - not true. Adding heads/cams/headers/torque converters/etc. certainly adds significant additional strain on the drive train, yet no one seems to be discouraging their use or complaining. Also, it is not true that anything that can be done via "shift kit" can be done with a handheld programer.

There are numerous members of this forum who are running the TransGo kits, most w/ torque converters and gears. All swear by them for improved performance, and not once have I heard of a problem as the result of the kit. The TransGo kit is highly recommend by many on this forum. (vstella, bhp, jwaski, EnglandGreen, etc. - we need the search feature fixed...)

"Generally speaking, the modifications in the TransGo Performance Shift Kit® correct certain inherent design (or time caused) malfunctions, and at the same time, carefully revise the control system to supply more controlled oil to the shifting clutches and bands that activate the various gear ratios in the transmission..." - TransGo

 

source (other than a sales brochuer) ???

factory transmissions intentionally soften up the shifting to minimize wear. When one circumvents this, there will be more wear. You can't change the laws of physics

But, I do agree that the "amount" of increase wear is often over-exagurated.

source & examples ???

I have yet to read in this post (or any others) where someone said it "didn't work"... so who are you countering here

and if one wants to remove torque management, a "shift kit" is incapable of removing program code in the PCM.

The facts can be enlightening.


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I had the hypertech and it wasn't what I was looking for. I added the transgo WITHOUT a new torque converter and I love it. I also have a Predator and have used that to remove Torque Managment but NOT increase line pressure as the Transgo took care of that.

12000 miles since the transgo and LOVE IT... I spent a lot of time chatting with VStella and he convinced me and rightfully so.

 

What is involved in installing the Transgo?

 

ttt?

 

The TransGo installation consists of replacing/updating various valves and springs in the valvebody of the transmission, and either updating the seperator plate, or modifying existing hole sizes in your current one. You should also consider replacing the neutral to drive piston, installing a new 1-2/3-4 accumulator kit, and a new filter while your in there. The procedure can be done in about 3-4 hours if your comfortable with going inside of your transmission. I did the TransGo kit install myself in my garage without any problems.

 

right. Increasing the line pressure with the Predator AND installing a shift-kit would be doubling-up... and it's best to have just one of those devices handle that task.

And you yourself know that without a reprog, the PCM (via Torque Management) will try to decrease the very thing your shift kit is trying to increase. Instead of "doubling-up"... this time they are fighting each other.

KRK, still awaiting sources and examples.

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Mike Mercury,

I really didn't want to get into a pissing match with you, but I will respond to your post and then be done with it. I appreciate your willingness to participate in various threads, but in my opinion, you are wrong with the advise you are offering on this subject.

The purpose of the TransGo kit is to provide improved shifting (i.e. long/soft shifts), prevent 3/4 clutch and 2nd band burnup, reverse to drive delay, neutral to drive delay (i.e. less slipage), improved lubrication/cooling... what do you think the point of the kit is?

Factory transmissions intentionally soften up the shifting for various reasons. This is accomplished by allowing a generous amount of "slippage" in the transmission. This is what causes excessive wear of the clutch and bands.

A handheld programmer cannot mechanically alter the way the transmission operates. It can however boost max line pressure accross the board, which can/will harm the transmission if run for an extended period of time. You could however boost the line pressure just prior to the shift and the immediately bring it back down if you were looking to get around this.

The TransGo shift kit mechanically alters the way the transmission oil flows within the valvebody by replacing 5 valves and ~11 springs, and actually only boosts line pressure minimally. The 1-2 shift firmness can be isolated and mechanically altered by adjusting the pressure in the 2nd accumulator by shimming the spring seat. The band is mechanically adjusted for the correct amount of play by shimming the 2nd piston housing, the reverse manual valve is chamfered to provide smoother/faster release, the EPC screen is modified to prevent the sides of the screen from getting sucked together, which causes low line pressure with high throttle - burns clutch and band. Also, you also now have complete gear control whenever you want it - holds 1st-2nd-3rd to any RPM and you can backshift down to selected gear. You should look into some the high performance trannys being built/used on this forum. Many of them include the same modifications outlined above.

Even with the TransGo shift kit, torque management should be removed and your shift points adjusted.

 

Thank you!

 

If your not that mechanically inclined, like myself, and would rather leave the shift points alone then a shift kit is for you. I just don't have the wherewithall to start messing with it. I am very satisfied with the shift kit.

 

thanks for using the words "my opinion". If you would of done that after each of the claims you made, I wouldn't have asked for your sources... as I would of understood you were just trying to help ... by giving your opinion each claim.

but that is LS1Edit and some other programers do. It is controllable per gear, and is not a global change as you have somehow incorrectly thought it had worked.

But by programming the shift "speed" and "pressure"... per individual gears via a programmer, the end result becomes near the same. Excepting for pure racing applications where people will sacrifice normal drivign for a car that is mostly dedicated for the track. Yep, I would agree completely with you there... PC programming will fall short.

You left out the fact that with a shift-kit, you'll need to pay for a reprog anyways - to remove Torque Management. So why not do it all via a capable programer to begin with and see if your goals can be reached programitically

That's the problem with modern day logic-controlled transmissions, the old mechanical method of improving shifting doesn't work as flawlessly as it once did back in the 1970's.

You don't need to come to the "defense" of a shift kit; because it's not under attack here... and hasn't been for the 4 + years I've been here (except for the few Mustang trolls that pop-up on occasion; but no one pays them any attention anyways.)

You're unaware of this, but I know Vince. He is a dedicated dragstrip person - and there are "pure" racing applications that only a shift kit could provide the necessary outcome. But daily street driving useage may start to become comprimised.

I didn't gather from the originator that he was using his C5 for such an extreme and limited useage of his C5. But I may very-well have mis-interpreted his original intent. So I did edit one of my respoonses so as not to mislead anyone.

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