transmission Upgrades VS Full Rebuild

[pwknapp]

I'm new to the auto crowd and would like to enhance the 48re. What items should I add? I realize the full rebuild is the way to go but it will have to wait for $$$. Thanks, Paul

 

[TJarecke]

Assuming the transmission isn't slipping and in need of a rebuild right now, get a valve body and torque converter.
This will give you a firmer trans and possibly make your factory parts last longer up to so much power. The nice thing is you can reuse these parts when/if you rebuild the transmission.

 

[LarryWard]

New valve bodies are over $400 I am told. Isn't the so-called shift kit really a reworking of the old valve body? What will a new one do that the old one reworked not do? This relates to my '95 that is in shop for rebuild.



But a new t. c. is clearly required, just wondering about valve bodies.



And as a very immportant reminder, these transmissions give very erroneous fluid level readings in PARK. They must only be check in NEUTRAL. Also, use back side of dipstick for accurate level as the front side gets wiped. I had serious shifting problems for many miles due to misreading dipstick. This warning has been on the forum and needs repeating regularly.



thks

 

[TJarecke]

I would recommend a full vb. They do more to them than just a shift kit. Plus it can be reused when you put a full rebuild in so you aren't out much. I have an HTS vb in my 94. Great people great price.

 

[vssman]

I originally had a shift kit installed in mine. It always suffered from very hard light throttle shifts and would not go back to 1st gear unless I came to a complete stop. It took numerous adjsutments to get it to the point where it was OK. A couple of years ago I upgraded to a full VB (mines DTT, but I'm sure the other name brands would provide similar results) and found the transmission to have night and day difference. The truck downshifts to 1st around 15mph and has firm but smoother shifts. I spent more on the shift kit/adjustments then on the replacement VB.



Just my $0. 02

 

[drag racer]

I have been very pleased with my Trans-Go re-programming kit vs. stock - big difference - nice firm shifts like I am used to in my race cars. The complete VB's for swap out have similar mod's as the good Trans-Go kits; pretty much boils down to if you have the time and experience to successfully modify your own VB and save the labor cost, or just swap in a finsished product. Either way is good.