Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Need a little transmission help, please.

[jeeepxj]

I can currently "shudder" my transmission with my Blue Chip box turned up only 1/4 (loaded or unloaded. ) It will not shudder (not yet anyways) with out the box turned up.

I've decided to upgrade the valve body in my auto, finally. I'd like to also do a torque converter, but $$$ just doesn't allow it right now. I'm still up in air on whch company to go with. There aren't too many choices here on the east coast.

I'm not too knowledgeable when it comes to automatics.

My real question is: If I spend the $400 on upgrading my valve body, and my stock torque converter or possilby the whole transmission decides to let go, have I just wasted the $400 valve body ??



craig

 

[jrandol]

I am sure some of the really smart transmission guys will jump in here and help but if you are getting shudder already than your TC has already been to hot and probably the valve body will be a very short term temporary fix at best. One thing to look at is the labor to put the TC in unless you are doing it yourself. You could be looking at $600 in labor real quick that you will be paying twice if you do the converter separate of the valve body. Just some things to think about.



Jeff

 

[rrausch]

This is just my opinion, but yes I would think you would be wasting your money UNLESS you bought the same brand of TC as you did Valve Body. And I don't know if any of the good Performance Trans builders would sell you just a VB. I don't think ATS would sell you just a Valve Body, as it probably wouldn't fix the real problem. That is what happened to me. I bought my truck used, and the guy before me had put just a Valve Body Upgrade kit in the stock trans, and when I got my ATS they just gutted the VB and put their own VB in.



How many miles do you have on your truck?

 

[Scheibins]

I am in the same boat as you.

Which transmission upgrade to go with? Do a search on transmission mods, you'll find a bunch of arguements that don't go anywhere. I've found that all the major 3 around warranty their products to unlimited HP, thats way more than you are going to use. I would pick one that has a certified tech near you.

Just so you know, I have about as much experience with autos as you do. I have learnt what I know now from searching and talk to aftermarket modders.

The shuttering you are feeling is most likely the TC. Take it easy on it. If you put a new VB in that will boost the pressures your stock TC might take the extra power. No, if you just the VB you won't be wasting it.

I just bought a Sun Coast VB and am going to install it (not needed to drop the transmission ), then bomb my truck til something starts slipping, then if need be I'll put in the TC and probally a "master kit" and maybe a billet input shaft. I know I eventually have to do the bigger stuff but just don't want to spend the extra cash right now.



Edit: As Robert said, The VB and TC need to be of the same manufacturer. So, decided which WHOLE setup you would like to have before you get a VB, if you choose to do so.

 

[RowJ]

Craig

If you haven't already seen this-check out www.dieseltrans.com

Go to Forum, than read "Why not just TC and VB". This made sense to me and made me wait till I could do it all at once.

No matter who you choose- do it all at the same time.

 

[rblomquist]

It's probably good advice about going with something you can get serviced locally. As far as companies go I looked at who would even answer their emails (was only 1 vendor in my case), who backed their product the longest, spec comparisions, reputation, and finally like mentioned above a good local vendor to handle the work.



Sounds like you've already probably hurt the TC to some degree. Pick up the phone and call some of the companies and see who'll take the time to talk with you and get their thoughts. My . 02 is don't waste your time/money trying to band-aid the thing, believe me I know it's painful (mine's going in today) but you'll end up paying more later.



Good luck.