I'm ordering a Yank SS3200 STR 2.1 converter and transmission cooler to be installed by DTE. Do you guys think it would be worth it to go ahead and get the "Brute Strength" transmission upgrade at the same time? The upgrade is $2395 installed :
http://www.dynotech-eng.com/dte_autotrans.htm

If I get the upgrade, basically the labor for the torque converter install is free + I get a really strong transmission. I've heard that the 4l60E is the weak link in the drivetrain anyway. Currently I don't have any high HP mods though (no heads or cam or supercharger).

Does anyone have this on their A4 C5? If so, can you tell me the pros/cons or any information in general? I don't know much about transmissions, so they could be selling upgraded silly-putty to me and I wouldn't know the difference!

Thanks!

 

:lurk:

 

Our SD transmissions are built by Rossler per our requirements and many on this board currently have the SD Rossler transmission in their cars.
HTH's :)

Regards,
Phil

 

Rossler" does good work. :cheers: :yesnod:

 

How many miles do you have on the car? What are your future mod plans?

Since you are getting the verter, let's just assume sooner or later you will get heads & cam. You may not think so right now, but you will (I went down this path myself). My tranny went after about 20,000 miles on relatively mild h/c setup.

So, I would recommend - 1.) get a bigger converter NOW, instead of later (I made this mistake myself) - get SS3600 you will really love it if you get gear upgrade... 2.) get gears while they are doing this work - I think 3.73 is the ideal gear for daily driver A4 that is rarely driven at the dragstrip (this after upgrading myself to 3.42 - again not enough the first time) 3.) what the hell get the built transmission make sure to get warrenty IF you are going h/c in future. Your 99 should be out of warrenty now so it's perfect time - may as well build a great setup. But don't sell yourself short on the gears and torque converter while you are getting this (expensive) work done by a reputable shop.

If you are ruling out h/c in future, you probably don't need a built transmission especially if you are running tranny cooler and high quality ATF - you should be ok for a long time. Good luck - just hate to see anyone repeat my mistakes!! If you are planning to chuck this setup and get a C6 in two years then please disregard...

 

It would be a good up grade, i just installed a yank 3500 and a DTE 373 and had my trans rebuilt with most of the HP parts. my car had 69k miles and was burning 3-4 clutch pack. nows the time to do it. :steering:

 

cliffkh- I haven't ruled out a heads & cam package in the future, although my budget doesn't have any current plans to afford such an upgrade! Maybe if I get that huge raise I've been waiting for so long! I'm kinda partial to my 3.15 gears...IMO it's a good tradeoff for performance versus highway cruising RPM/mpg, etc. I probably would not go above 3.42 even if I did buy gears, which I can't really afford either. My '99 is definetly out of warranty, and I specifically did not buy the extended warranty because I was just planning to void it anyway. :D My thinking is that I could spend a little extra $$$ now and end up saving money in the future if I decided to do heads/cam. I figure I am close to the max torque rating on the 4l60e by just having an intake and exhaust modifications. I like your advice, especially #3! :) Don't worry about me chucking the C5 for a C6. The C6 is cool but I like C5 look better. Besides, when I bought my car I decided it was my one and only Corvette for eternity, so it's either this C5 or no Corvette! Thanks for your help!

Oh, I fogot to say the car has 41K miles on it. I bought it 10/31/98!


[Modified by jambrin, 11:36 PM 2/9/2004]

 

I think you're wasting your money on a tranny upgrade you don't need. :cheers:

 

:iagree: Good answer.

 

I don't. Do the trans now. I had a new car (added h/c--you will too!) and broke sprag within 5k miles. You'll save a bunch by doing it now and the vacuum modulator feature is great-Perfect for the street. If you don't do it now you will always be worying about it. I used FLP stage 4 but I understand Rossler unit is good. :D

 

dmarks1961- what does the vacuum modulator do? Give better shifting characteristics?

 

If you leave the transmission alone but keep the extended warranty any future transmission failure would be covered as well as other parts failures.

 

70000 miles original owner. 2003 C5 Automatic. Mil yellow. CAI,Corsa tiger shark,700 hp alum radiator. Also own 2010 427R Roush manual. Driving like I stole it! Want to do the same with the vette once again. At 50000 started treating it like an ole family dog. So, I figure the best place to start what makes the wheels turn. The Transmission. I will have the engine inspected for compression ratio's at the same time but the Transmission is what I know the least about!
I have located a transmission (corvette specialist) but what I don't know is what to ask for? I mean heck if you want more HP supercharge it! Cams, rockers, headers these I understand but not the guts of a automatic transmission?
I have had it serviced more then it ever needed to be i.e. fluid change and filter. Added the radiator cause that's where the trans fluid is cooled.
If I am successful in making the tranny a solid improved base I would then begin the upgrade to the power plant.
I have done some reading and followed posts about the 4l60-4l80 not sure which I have presume it's the 4l60.
Your help with upgrade suggestions will be greatly appreciated, this way when I sit across from the tranny I guy I will have a better idea of what to expect and what I should be asking for!
Bobby Heinrichs,
Ret USN 30yrs

 

This thread is dead, it's 7 years old.