I'll put my 2 cents in... Since this is your first t/c go with around a 3200 stall. get a Vigilante or a Yank because those companies are the best and they have the resources to test/build their converters properly and to determine your stall torque ratio(get a converter that has a 2 to 2.5 str) dont get a 3800-4000 stall if you are not drag racing your car every week, you dont need it, you can only go so fast on the street anyway and your tranny will eventually fry even with a tranny cooler ( I had a friend who ran a sy3500 for a year with no problem, but then he put in a 4400 stall and fried his tranny...he went to the track alot) (and definitely don't let 80yr old grandma drive your car with a high stall converter it will scare them, and they wont like the tranny slipping loose feel) your car is going to turn into an animal with a good converter! Also, the power curve of the ls1 is about the same from 3200 to 3500 rpm's on a dyno chart so both of those stalls should yield you about the same results. Good luck :thumbs:

 

What does it feel like?

What I compare it to is, have you ever felt the power band kick in on a dirtbike? That's what it feels like to me, sudden power!!!!!!!

 

[QUOTE]All the replies seem to cover it. I'll chime in with my impressions.

I went from 2.73's to 3.42's and the Yank SY3500 plus TransGo. :

If I use a Predator to reprogram the car, do you still recommend the Transgo? I know that the Predator can reprogram the shift points.

Tony

 

I'm driving a Z06 with the six speed and I've not done this modificatioin to a C5 so I want that stated up front. There is something to be said for the pro of this type of modification. I think all the positive comments are correct and you will see a big change in performance on hard acceleration. Here's the con. The trans cooler is an important addition. The "looseness" you feel is because the high stall TQ is not fully locked up at lower rpm (normal) driving. This constant slipping during slower driving causes a lot of heat to build up. (By the way. Under normal driving, this TQ will be less efficient because of this slipping. It's under performance driving that it works best!) My guess is that the stock trans cooling equipment is not set up for anything that slips much more than the stock TQ, so you will be stressing the cooling capacity with the new unit. I would highly recommend that an additional cooler is critical to the life of the trans with this type of modification. Here's the neat thing, these cars cant tell you the trans temp on the DIC. Have you folks that are running the higher stall units noticed an appreciable jump in temp under normal driving conditions? If this were my car, and I really wanted this performance, I would do the TQ, the rear gears, the shift kit and add a big trans cooler. Then I'd watch the trans temp and change the fluid more often than recommended in the book. Have fun!

 

awe50th, It technical terms you can get the PCM to adjust the shifts points
as the TransGo does, but in terms of SOTP driving and the mechanical
install of the TransGo, the shifts 'feel' much snappier(sp) :p: than just
PCM altered, and I've driven both.

Dug02Z0679L82, the A4-C5's do have Transmission Oil Temp read out
on the DIC, and mine even in the hottest Florida temps doesn't run over
185 degrees with my B&M cooler, and that's running multiple(5-6) WOT's
in an hours time. Under normal conditions mine runs about 174 and now
during the colder(it's Florida) months around 156-160. The protection is
not guaranteed, but it will 'pro-long' the life of the transmission. As my guy
stated too, the tranny will eventually fail, and when it does we will rebuild
it and make it better.

:cheers:

 

You can reprogram your computer for firmer shifts with the Predator. You don't have to spend $300.00 buying and installing a shift kit. In fact Yank does NOT recommend the use of shift kits with their converters. Check the Yank web site under FAQs for the reasons why shift kits are not recommended. :yesnod:

 

This is correct. I believe FLP(trannies) also recommends against the use
of shift kits. I see thier reasoning and logic, but I've yet to see a slew of
shift-kit owners with problems or blown trannies because of it, so I'm
wondering if it's more of a 'protection' of thier stuff if something does fail.

:cheers:

 

Well, I want to give a big thanks to everyone who has posted in here. I feel like I have a much better idea of what to expect after I do this mod, as well as how to have it doen properly the first time.

Like anything, there are many opinions on this subject and it was good to hear from everyone on it. It's definitely given me so much more information than I've been able to find on the subject of 'What does it feel like'.

Personally, I've found that I'll need to find a local car (SLC, UT) that has this done before I make the change. And hopefully I can do it soon as I'm very very excited about it.

 

[QUOTE]
You can reprogram your computer for firmer shifts with the Predator. You don't have to spend $300.00 buying and installing a shift kit. In fact Yank does NOT recommend the use of shift kits with their converters. Check the Yank web site under FAQs for the reasons why shift kits are not recommended. :yesnod:

Thanks all for the info. I did check the FAQ and I see what you mean. When I get ready to buy I will not get a shift kit. I will probably get 3.42 and the Yank ST3500.

 

I am looking for a converter too :lurk: For my 3.73 (that sits on the garage floor) :cry

 

I have had two transmissions fail because of a 3200 stall convertor--even using a B&M cooler and Mobil synthetic fluid.

 

:lol: :lol: :lol:
The answers to your questions will change slightly, by the type of TC you end up with. Sounds like you're not going to be at the track all that much, you don't want a monster on your hands like several of us aspire to:blueangel:, you want to avoid looseness,...and grandma's thinking about taking your car away from you :lol: .
I'm thinking you need to purchase a lockup type converter...probably a Vigilante 3200 :blueangel: . This company has a sparkling record for outstanding customer service! They also will give you a free "re-stall", if you're not happy with the one you purchased. :cheers:
JUST DO IT!!! Grandma's gonna love it!!! :lol: