Transgo Shift Kit Installation

[la_fx35]

I install a Transgo Shift Kit using the DIY from the G35 forum.
Here is the DIY: http://g35driver.com/forums/engine-...iy/313499-diy-transgo-valve-body-upgrade.html

It is nerve wrecking at first as I have not done anything like this before. It took me 6 hours total. I definitely think this mod worth the money. I didn't bother to check on installation cost at local transmission shops, but from my readings, the labor is anywhere from $600 to $800. Some member on the G35 forum did it for other charge $300. So the minute I found the DIY, I knew I will do the installation myself.

Overall, the install not hard at all, just messy as you work under the car with transmission fluid dripping down on you and time consuming. Just have to take your time and organize as there are a total of 52 bolts on the Valve Body that you will have to take apart. The followings are pic of my install:

This is the kit



Here is the Valve Body after you remove the pan


The Valve Body out of the transmission


Here is the naked trans after the Valve Body removed


Taking bolts off the filter that is mounted to the lower Valve Boby


This is the upper Valve Body with the electronics and solenoids. There no need to remove the solenoids


Just another pic of the upper Valve Body with the electrical connectors removed


This is the lower Valve Body after you have removed 52 bolts and carefully separate the upper Valve Body off to the side with the Separator Plate so the balls will not be fall out of the upper Valve Body


This what the Valve Body looks like after about 3 hours taking it apart


Closer look of the Separator Plate with the upper Valve Body flipped up


Ok, here are the parts that will be installed. No, the Transgo sticker stays out, lol.


Remove the retainer to expose the valve


Replace the Direct Clutch Control valve


Replace the Input Clutch Control valve


Replace the High and Low Reverse Control valve


Tada, the three valves are done, here are the oe valves


Insert additional spring into the Torque Converter Regulator


Replace the Main Regulator spring with two springs


Replace the Pilot Valve A spring


Replace the Pilot Valve B spring


Getting ready to enlarge exiting holes in the Separator Plate with the provided drill bits.
This is the point of no return! Up until this step you still can just put everything back if you decided not to continue.


Drilled holes. It's hard to tell as they're only enlarged by tiny increment


After holes are drilled, it time to put the two halves back and tighten the 52 bolts to 65-70 inch pound

One final step is to tap an tapered orfice into the hole (immediate right of the center big hole) in the transmission before putting the Valve Body back in


Put the Valve Body back in, reconnect the wires, reinstall the pan and torque the bolts to 95 inch pound. Refill the transmission with new fluid.

Done, there I saved myself about $300 after 6 hours of works. Worth it? Hell yes.

 

[tchuck]

Excellent work man!! I'm totally doing this.

 

[fxlr8]

Very nice work, thanks for sharing.

 

[porkandbeans]

Perfect write up. A shift kit is on my list.
Any chance of chirping AWD?

 

[MTN FX]

Wow doing that project would scare the heck out of me good job. Be interested to hear what improvement to shifting this made for you.

 

[gto]

Likely the best writeup ever. Wow man. Great photos too. & it does look really messy

 

[Logan]

Great write up man! this is a great mod and you saved yourself a pile of cash with the DIY, my shop install was not cheap (the kit itself is not bad though). If it's the same as what I have experienced - Normal driving = about the same, underload the FX lunges forward with each shift?

 

[Dr.2K]

Very detailed write-up! Thanks for sharing your experience!!!!

 

[StuLax18]

Great writeup! Really want to do this now but I think I might F it up so bad. Just gotta be patient I guess.

Everything going well with it so far?

 

[Dracula]

the fx being a heavy car, did you feel any difference?
plus does DIY help RWD transmission?

 

[GEE50FX]

Excellent write up and pictorial.

It is actually a challenging fun job to do. I did this on one of my other vehicles a few years ago and it made a big difference on shifts.

 

[drew855]

Wow, great write-up. I don't think I would have it in me to try this myself:embarassed:

 

[la_fx35]

Thanks guys, like I have said, the installation is at not hard at all. My take on this is you're messing with a very expensive part if something goes wrong and that scare the crap out of people, plus on the very first page of the provided installation instructions, it said;
The installation REQUIRES A PROFESSIONAL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TECHNICIAN. DO NOT ATTEMPT to do this installation on your own!?

The installation instructions provided by Transgo is easy enough to follow, but not the type a DIYer would expected with step by step type of instructions. They only provide a diagram of what goes where. The removal of the VB is very straight forward, but there are three unclear steps in the actual install/replacing parts section. I almost forgot to insert the three tiny balls into the new valves. The second unclear instruction was using both the thicker & thinner white springs in the Main Regulator. Lastly, drilling a bigger "F" hole.

Big improvement on the shift. When under normal driving condition, you will not notice any changes at all, I bet your significant other will not even feel it at all. I do feel and notice the snappy up & down shift between gear. No, not harsh at at!. Nice, tight and snappy shifting. Now when you stomp on the gas paddle that whole different feel. Like Lance(Logan) said, it lunges forward in each gear. Again not harsh at all. In manual mode where it really shines as you shift thru the gears. I tried hard to get the tires to chirp on my AWD without success yet!

GTO, talk about messy, watch out for the quart of fluid left in the pan after it stop draining out of the drain hole. I pour pretty much the entire quart onto my arm trying to balance the pan out from underneath the car.

Lance, it is the same kit that you have. I do believe there only one kit for our car out there.

Dracula, I do believe that you will feel more of it improvement in the RWD. I know for sure it will easily chirp your tires, lol.

Stu, no problem so far with just 50 miles with it on, lol.

MNT FX, seeing the stuff you done and the DIY you shared, you can handle this install with ease!

 

[Chedman13]

Sheesh Andy, you are so handy.
:top:

 

[AeroBFA]

Wow man, you did it, nice write-up. That's really awesome. All your mods will pull together nicely now.

 

[la_fx35]

Sheesh Andy, you are so handy.
:top:

Wow man, you did it, nice write-up. That's really awesome. All your mods will pull together nicely now.

Come on Ed, you didn't see that in my name? JK.
Yeah Andrew, I can't wait to get it tuned and dyno. Now that Ed throw in an alternative, the Unichip and a new shop (Perfromance Autowerks just down the street by you). I need to so some research. I was all set for UpRev until now!
I plan to visit them after work. I would wait for you but they close at 6pm.

 

[Chedman13]

Come on Ed, you didn't see that in my name? JK.
Yeah Andrew, I can't wait to get it tuned and dyno. Now that Ed throw in an alternative, the Unichip and a new shop (Perfromance Autowerks just down the street by you). I need to so some research. I was all set for UpRev until now!
I plan to visit them after work. I would wait for you but they close at 6pm.

Let me know how it goes. I forgot to add in my post that UniChip can clearly do a FX35.

 

[soonster]

nice work, what's the cost of the Transco kit?

 

[la_fx35]

Thanks Ed, I'm a good boy you know. I always do my homework like most of us. I found out the Unichip is good for the FX35 too.

As matter affect, there are a couple threads on here about the Unichip alternative to UpRev:
///3278
///8686

---------- Post added at 10:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:11 AM ----------

nice work, what's the cost of the Transco kit?

Thanks, I got it from Summit Racing for $229 + $10 shipping.

 

[AeroBFA]

Maybe I'll get this one day. I need to drive your car and feel it. Maybe when I hit 100K?