Here are some pix of the install done yesterday on a 2001 coupe. Forum member Adrenlin (Ed) asked if I would do this for him after he read my earlier post (sometime in May). This mod is basically a spring and slide valve replacement mod. This thread is NOT for the "weak of stomach," these are very graphic pix.:U

It does not show most of the basic stuff such as draining the tranny fluid, unbolting the pan, removing filter, etc, etc etc. If you can't do these basics than DON'T EVEN attempt this mod. OK grab a seat and hang on:

This pix shows the underside of the valve body after the pan is removed. You can see the wiring harness which is snapped into place. Solenoid at top right (pink connector) has been removed to be able to remove another solenoid.



This pix shows the the valve body unbolted and removed to expose the PWM plate. The plate is actually sandwiched between two black thin gaskets. This plate has the holes that are drilled to provided more fluid flow at strategic points. There has been much discussion here about the size of the holes and the stall of the converter.

At the lower left you can see the #2 accumulator where the infamous spacers are installed. We used 2 spacers for Ed's car. And no that's not blood on my finger.



This is the essence of the mod: removing spring clips, bushings, and replacing original springs with those in the kit. here I have replaced the ywllow/blue spring with a purple one.



Here is another spring replacement only a solenoid needed to be removed first. This is the stock setup.



Here I have removed the slide valve and replaced the stock spring with a dual set from the kit. Notice the spring clip next to the solenoid, these should be called 'clip spring.' They have a tendency to really fly if you're not careful, but you can get a replacement at any hardware store.



AH HA! The highest tech tool I had to use. This cool baby removes the roll pin quite easily. The pin holds the accumulator slide valve and spring assembly in the valve body.



Here is the accumulator valve with the new spring and valve.



This is the 1-2 shift valve. The bottom assembly is stock. The valve is plastic. The new assembly is at the top The valve is aluminum. Notice the little ball and new green spring. The white spring is reused.



This is the pulse valve assembly, stock on bottom, replacement on top. There's one of them clip springs.



This is not a good picture, sorry. It shows a 3/8" clear tube used to fill the tranny with fluid. I use a 3/8" (I think?) brass gas fitting elbow threaded to another barbed fitting for the hose. The gas fitting has the exact same threads as the pan plug I rotate the fitting to the 3 0'clock position and fill the tranny until fluid no longer drains into the pan, which tells me its full. As soon as fluid backs up into the hose , its full. I verfil by 1/2 qt because when you remove all this stuff some fluid leaks out.We run the engine with tranny in neutral will doing this so fluid is pumped through the tranny.



Ed took it for spin and we had a slight issue. He detected a hiccup during the 3-4 shift, the car seemed to slip 4-3 to 3-4 to 4-3. Apparently, the 3-4 circuit needed time to bleed air, after we went for a second ride, no problem.

Ed has a 2.73 and the shifts are not as crisp as my 3.15. In my opinion, Ed, YOU NEED GEARS.

Any questions?




[Modified by jawsski, 9:28 PM 10/19/2003]

 

just getting the dreaded red X for all the pics :sad:

 

First off, big thanks to Ken for tackling this for me. I would say "with me" but that just wasn't the case. LOL. He came prepared to dive in. This mod in my opinion is not for the average do it yourselfer to do. There were several times where it was only due to Ken knowing what he was doing that we made it through the install.

The car is shifting really well today.

I really need 3.15s or 3.42s and since I have to change the pumpkin anyway, I may as well go for the 3.42s.

Shifts are firm... with traction control and active handling ON, the car broke way loose taking a left turn from a stop when it shifted to second :D , definitely have to get used to that part.

I have waited a year for this mod, thanks to Ken for his mechanical time and Vince for his support over the year.

Kit was $88 delivered. Extra parts were the aluminum pistons, far better then the plastic stuff, total added cost $23, 8 Quarts Mobil One ATF $52, Gasket and Filter $26, one beer for Ken as we were quite busy during the install and a $100 tip for Ken. The gasket that comes with the kit is cork and was torn upon delivery.

:party:

 

Sorry members, I'm working on getting the pix link to work :nopity

 

pix link fixed :party:

 

:eek: ... What exactly does this do? Good job on having the guts to take apart your car... If i still had my vette the most i could do was take the intake manifold off... You guys are crazy... :smash: :cheers: Good job

 

This kit provides firmer and quicker shifts than stock :yesnod:

 

Thanks for putting up the writeup :cool: :cheers:

 

Can you install the TransGo on an 01? :seeya

 

This install was on a 2001. :thumbs:
TransGo makes shift kits for many makes and model years.

 

:cheers: Great write up...Thanks

On the aluminum pistons...Where did you get them and where did you get the
kit?

...GeorgeC

 

I got mine professionally installed at a local transmission shop for $215.
This included the kit (100) aluminum pieces(10), billet servo (90), and a tranny cooler(free)!!! :crazy:
He worked on many f-bodies and owns one his self. Said he was pulling 1.3 60fts.
:smash:
Great guy. If anyone is in the houma, LA area I would definitely recommend him.

 

Now :eek: that's a deal...Can't wait to do mine.

...GeorgeC

 

I purchase the aluminum pistons from TranStar Industries, a national transmission parts wholesaler. I don't have the actual part numbers handy, but will post later when I get home.

 

Great pics and explanation! Been there, done that, got the t-shirt :D.

Just got my PCM updated to increase the fluid pressures a little more. The shifts are now crisp, firm, and AWESOME!!! Michelin will love me later this year (good thing the rears are dropping in price), but I'm having to re-learn my 1-2 shifts. The lanes need to be 1-1/2 times as wide for me when my baby kicks sideways :hurray:

Transgo kit is fantastic, but not for the amateur installer by a long shot. The $215 install price above is a STEAL. Still would have done my own, though. I just like doing the things to my car that I can, ya know wut I mean jawsski ;)

 

Great write up! :thumbs:

 

BTW 4L60E tranny aluminum piston kits TranStar P/N's 61987A 'neutral to drive' & DK61985A '1-2/3-4 accumulator kit.


Thank you, :thumbs:

 

 

Thanks so much for gettin' the pix up & running. This is one mod I'm going to have to look into during the winter months. :yesnod:

 

Sweet write up! :cheers: