Finally fixed my ATX and installed my Translab shift kit!

Wow, What a weekend at the Busted Knuckle Garage! Since I am going to keep it, and I decided not to swap in a 5 speed, I had the DOHC up on jackstands for a few days Repairing the end clutch, and rebuilding the valve body with the Translab kit, and I must say this is my best upgrade to date, and it has completely eliminated every shifting problem I had... This is how the transmission SHOULD shift! (I installed the middle pressure control spring which is firmer than stock shifts, but not "race performance" shifts. I am sure if you did the "stock" setup it would still be perfect, just with smoother shifts. I am glad I did a firmer shift, upshifts are exactly where they should be now (especially from first) and it actually wants to chirp a little when accelerating hard into a downshift! NICE! I can't imagine what installing the high performance spring would be like! Here are some pics....

My humble "garage"
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._4701773_n.jpg

Tearing down the valve body
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._2499894_n.jpg

I found little pieces of rubber seal,dirt and carbon floating throughout...
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._2123327_n.jpg

Here is a mountain of carbon I found under the solenoid mounting plate
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._1009751_n.jpg

These are all piles of carbon and debris that were under and throughout the solenoid mount, and the solenoids were all filled with this mud...
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._5825661_n.jpg

This little screen was damaged, but I re-used it because it was still functional, and I had no replacement...
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._2507462_n.jpg

All cleaned up and ready for modifications and re-assembly
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._7589243_n.jpg

There are a LOT of parts to catch! Don't worry, the instructions tell you exactly how to re-assemble...
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._1009438_n.jpg

Plugging this hole and re-drilling a smaller hole was a little tricky, but no real problem
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._2224810_n.jpg

Everything back in with new filter and I was ready for beer!!
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._8151218_n.jpg

ATX love :love2:

They are great when working properly.
Nice job.

Mines been worrying me ever since I rebuilt my motor. I've never even changed the fluid on my ATX and that is my biggest weakness, I'm afraid. It shifts fine now, but I'm afraid if I get to pushing it, it will begin to fail.
Where did you get your kit? How long did it take to get the job done?

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Originally Posted by $$$PIT

Mines been worrying me ever since I rebuilt my motor. I've never even changed the fluid on my ATX and that is my biggest weakness, I'm afraid. It shifts fine now, but I'm afraid if I get to pushing it, it will begin to fail.
Where did you get your kit? How long did it take to get the job done?

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Hey... seems like there are a rare few ATX's out there that are not prone to failure, and the rare few people who have those sturdy transmissions don't seem to go through the process of repairing those weaknesses..... BUT, that's not to say you shouldn't worry because no transmission will last forever, and if it did go out on you, the problem is that our transmission is not the "norm" and less skilled guys might not do a good job on it... I know because I'm in possession of a receipt for a "full rebuild" of my transmission that was done less than a year before I bought it, and still I needed to modify it to fix these "known issues" that the shift kit addresses... As for your questions, I bought the Translab kit through IPT here http://www.importperformancetrans.co...type-1672.html But, if you google "f4a33-1 or KM175 shift kit" you will find a lot of kits available for our transmission. http://cobratransmission.com/index.p...cts_id=1001052 is a Transgo shift kit for 38.99 http://www.buffaloengine.com/catalog...m175-shift-kit is a VBX shift kit for ONLY $24!!! Not sure of the quality or ease of install compared to the $92 Translab kit I bought (I am jealous of the $24 deal, LOL) But the translab kit was very easy to follow the instructions on, and I took a couple hours one noght to tear it down, and a couple hours the next day to put it all back in. But I like to take my time so it's not like "working" LOL, and I have never cracked open a transmission so it was a little intimidating. I would not call the job "easy" it is definitely doable for anyone with technical and or mechanical skills as long as you have the tools... If you call IPT, they will help, and they offer to rebuild your valve body for you for a considerable amount of money if you ship it to them.

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Originally Posted by hotGTO

Hey... seems like there are a rare few ATX's out there that are not prone to failure, and the rare few people who have those sturdy transmissions don't seem to go through the process of repairing those weaknesses..... BUT, that's not to say you shouldn't worry because no transmission will last forever, and if it did go out on you, the problem is that our transmission is not the "norm" and less skilled guys might not do a good job on it... I know because I'm in possession of a receipt for a "full rebuild" of my transmission that was done less than a year before I bought it, and still I needed to modify it to fix these "known issues" that the shift kit addresses... As for your questions, I bought the Translab kit through IPT here http://www.importperformancetrans.co...type-1672.html But, if you google "f4a33-1 or KM175 shift kit" you will find a lot of kits available for our transmission. http://cobratransmission.com/index.p...cts_id=1001052 is a Transgo shift kit for 38.99 http://www.buffaloengine.com/catalog...m175-shift-kit is a VBX shift kit for ONLY $24!!! Not sure of the quality or ease of install compared to the $92 Translab kit I bought (I am jealous of the $24 deal, LOL) But the translab kit was very easy to follow the instructions on, and I took a couple hours one noght to tear it down, and a couple hours the next day to put it all back in. But I like to take my time so it's not like "working" LOL, and I have never cracked open a transmission so it was a little intimidating. I would not call the job "easy" it is definitely doable for anyone with technical and or mechanical skills as long as you have the tools... If you call IPT, they will help, and they offer to rebuild your valve body for you for a considerable amount of money if you ship it to them.

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That answered another of my questions also. I have rebuilt several motors. But, I've always been intimidated with transmissions. I can usually figure things out. So, that may also be one of my to-do list things this winter.
Thanks

This was the first time I've ever had a car that the transmission even concerned me... I'm not used to the feeling that today could be the day my transmission decides to give up on me, so hopefully I have exorcised the gremlins forever this time...

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Originally Posted by hotGTO

This was the first time I've ever had a car that the transmission even concerned me... I'm not used to the feeling that today could be the day my transmission decides to give up on me, so hopefully I have exorcised the gremlins forever this time...

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Ah thats how I felt everytime I drove that model ATX, whether GT or Diamante. The hype terrified me.
These shift kits are a wonderful thing, especially if you do it yourself or can find someone to do it for you for cheap!. IPT makes some great stuff for the ATX.
If you can get their rebuild kit, torque converter and the shift kit I highly recommend it. Im no longer terrified haha

beauty!

i'm knocking on wood that my w4a33 has enough life left in her to last a couple more years of upgrades before i get around to doing a bottom to top rebuild. (not a clue how many miles were on this puppy when i got her). it wasn't until i went tt that i really noticed how much of a difference the pwr button makes for downshifts. econ takes its sweet-ass time going from 4th to 3rd; pwr will go from 4th to 2nd in a heartbeat.

...now if i could just get differential & driveshaft support....

I just did about 550 miles driving the New Jersey Lighthouse Challenge over this past weekend on the rebuilt end clutch and shift kit and I had no problems at all... (knock wood)

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Originally Posted by inperfectdarkness

beauty!

i'm knocking on wood that my w4a33 has enough life left in her to last a couple more years of upgrades before i get around to doing a bottom to top rebuild. (not a clue how many miles were on this puppy when i got her). it wasn't until i went tt that i really noticed how much of a difference the pwr button makes for downshifts. econ takes its sweet-ass time going from 4th to 3rd; pwr will go from 4th to 2nd in a heartbeat.

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How smooth is your 4-2 downshifts? mine worry me sometimes because they feel a little violent at some speeds....

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Originally Posted by hotGTO

How smooth is your 4-2 downshifts? mine worry me sometimes because they feel a little violent at some speeds....

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feels pretty smooth to me; but mine is 100% stock, afaik. again, it's a w4a33...and probably from a montero--possibly a galant.

It's actually my 4-3 downshift... every once in a while it just really jolts on that downshift, and the frequency is really random but usually around 20-35 mph downshift from 4-3, and might happen once a week or so... just hope it's not destructive... i've been over 1000 miles now and she's still 100% so far so good!

Can somebody tell me where to look on my tranny to make sure which one mine is? When I bought mine it had just had an oddball JDM motor and tranny put in it. It HAD a 2.5 DOHC in it. I have since rebuilt a 3.0 DOHC and installed it a yr. ago and have had no problems. But, I've never touched the tranny YET. :)

no way of knowing for sure what trans you have. if it's fwd, it's a f4a33; but all that means is that it has the f4a33 internals. electronics is another matter entirely.

OK, thanks for the info.

Should I get a shift kit or this thing?

http://www.importperformancetrans.co...ller-1891.html

I read on 3si that this is supposed to be better but I'm not sure.

i'm not really sure how an "electronic only" gadget is going to modify "shift feel". sure it can alter shift rpms, but that's about it. velocity of the shift has to do with physical upgrades to the valve body; not fancy electronics.

at least that's my $.02

I was thinking about installing the shift kit, but gave up on it for now, because my transmission shifts perfectly as it is, even after I replaced the fluid. However, I ordered a shift box and paddle shifters and they just arrived in the mail! Time to install them... :)

don't underestimate teh shift kit. it makes a big difference.

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Originally Posted by IPD

don't underestimate teh shift kit. it makes a big difference.

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I am not underestimating it, but I like doing one thing at a time... I just completed a TT conversion, so I will let the car run like that for a while and then I will do some more upgrades. Shift kit is high on the list! By the way, where can I tap into shift solenoid "A" and shift solenoid "B" for the shift box I am installing? Where are those solenoids located exactly?

i'd ask chris. i'm not messing with the tcu