Dropping my car off to my cousin June 8th. But, there is a huge laundry list so not sure where this factors in (tints, passenger door actuator, alarm, audio/video system, etc...).
Lance keeps telling me it's even more noticeable on the FX45.
Transgo Shift Kit Installation
- Thread starter la_fx35
- Start date
Dropping my car off to my cousin June 8th. But, there is a huge laundry list so not sure where this factors in (tints, passenger door actuator, alarm, audio/video system, etc...).
Lance keeps telling me it's even more noticeable on the FX45.
FX45Chicago
Member
- Location
- Chicago
- Car
- 2005 FX45 AWD
I ordered the S-Matic Fluid Yesterday. I should be ordering the Trans-Go in a few days. Once, I have it everything in hand I can confirm the install date but I'm shooting for the 18th most likely i hope.
- Location
- Portland, OR
So I finished my shift kit install earlier today (yesterday technically) and I have some comments/observations about the installation of the kit and a few impressions of the kit itself. I'll start with the install:
INSTALL
I don't want to write a book here, and aside from that I don't really have much to say about it. I printed out this DIY, the original that Andy referenced above, the valve body removal guide from the Transgo website, and had the kit installation instructions that came in the box. Between the four of those, the install went very smoothly in terms of organization and direction. There were however, a few surprises that I feel are worth mentioning.
1) In my opinion, the front of the FX on a standard set of ramps does not provide enough room for this job. If I did it again, I'd lift the back wheels as well with either ramps or jack stands.
2) When someone like Rookie casually mentions that "trans fluid is messy", don't just chuckle and move on like I did. LISTEN. Listen and remember that little tidbit because, no exaggeration, the shit is the messiest goddamn thing I've ever experienced in my life. For one thing, it never stops dripping, and it drips from everywhere. I drained the pan, cleverly tilted the pan down before removing it to drain as much as possible out of the plug hole, and thought that was it. Well, much to my dismay as soon as you remove the pan every single bolt and protrusion continues to drip, fairly heavily, forever. this would be fine if you didn't have to reach into the waterfall of toxic strawberry death syrup to remove the 12 bolts that attach the VB to the transmission, but you do. Not only that but you have to do it while the pan or some other basin is directly under the transmission (because it's still dripping). Basically you have to do all this from just outside a comfortable position.
3) The valve body is surprisingly heavy for it's size....because it is absolutely full to the top with the death syrup. While removing the last two bolts (one at each end) I started pushing up on the part to gauge it's weight and was quite surprised. This would be fine if you didn't have to remove all the bolts, lower it down about 5" with one hand and unplug the VB->trans wiring harness with the other, but you do. For me this is where the first 1/4 quart of unexpected fluid made it's appearance. Also, due to the weight of the VB and my girlish figure, I had to replace the catch basin with a large piece of cardboard + a bunch of shop towels so I could actually get under the assembly to hold it up with one hand while I unplugged the harness with the other hand. Sidebar, look closely at the orientation of the harness clips before you remove the last VB bolt. balancing a fluid filled, razor sharp piece of metal above your chest is not the best time to figure out how to release an obscured wire clip with one hand. Between the installed position and my workbench, another 1/4 quart of fluid escaped the VB...
4) Even though you're now away from the FX ogling over the complexity of the VB casting and patting yourself on the back, the transmission is still dripping... In my case it's now soaked through the cardboard and is starting to pool in the driveway.
5) The VB is still holding a significant amount of fluid, and every time you flip it over more will escape.
6) When reinstalling the new (stronger) springs in the VB, use an allen key to push the spring into the cavity so that you can then guillotine the retaining pin back into place without firing the spring across your shop floor....twice.
7) If you have easy access to a drill press, use it for the separator plate work. I tried the first hole with a hand drill and did the rest with my drill press. It is ten times easier with the press.
To be honest, I'm being a little dramatic about the mess. Part of the reason it was so crazy was that I was completely unprepared to deal with it. I think if you go in Rambo style, ready to deal with a quart of fluid at any second from any location it would be a lot less aggravating. All in all it's not that bad. the mechanical portion, as dually noted by Handy Andy, is very straight forward. Even if you completely botch the labeled containers for holding the bolts, the worst case scenario is that you simply organize them by length real quick and regroup. Beyond drilling out the wrong hole in the separator plate or dropping the VB on the side with the electronics, I'm not sure how anyone could really screw it up too bad. Not counting all the breaks I took for various reasons, it took me just about 7.5 hrs at a very leisurely pace.
SHIFT KIT IMPRESSIONS
I don't have much to say about it that hasn't already been said. It is just like everyone describes it to be. In normal driving situations it is hardly noticeable. I think the transition from P to D is a little quicker now, but not by much. It is very much a "Jekyl and Hyde"" type mod. I'd bet my wife will never even know it's there.
That said, aggressive shifting (anything above 50% throttle and above 3500rpms) is absolutely transformed. the first time I experienced ther revised programming it startled me so much I instinctively let off the throttle entirely. It seriously feels like being rear-ended by a car made of soft rubber. It absolutely throws your head back as it lunges forward into the next gear. It's very very different than the stock "hardly noticeable" shifting schedule.
Obviously I highly recommend the kit to everyone who feels comfortable with the DIY approach. Having done it now there's no way I would pay over $100 to have it installed. Don't be discouraged by my whining about the mess, just go into it knowing that it is VERY VERY messy in every sense of the word. Not difficult, just messy.
Huge thanks to Handy Andy for the DIY and subsequent motivation to get this done. I never considered it a DIY worthy project until reading this thread.
(<-yeah, that's three thumbs up. That's how cool he is)
INSTALL
I don't want to write a book here, and aside from that I don't really have much to say about it. I printed out this DIY, the original that Andy referenced above, the valve body removal guide from the Transgo website, and had the kit installation instructions that came in the box. Between the four of those, the install went very smoothly in terms of organization and direction. There were however, a few surprises that I feel are worth mentioning.
1) In my opinion, the front of the FX on a standard set of ramps does not provide enough room for this job. If I did it again, I'd lift the back wheels as well with either ramps or jack stands.
2) When someone like Rookie casually mentions that "trans fluid is messy", don't just chuckle and move on like I did. LISTEN. Listen and remember that little tidbit because, no exaggeration, the shit is the messiest goddamn thing I've ever experienced in my life. For one thing, it never stops dripping, and it drips from everywhere. I drained the pan, cleverly tilted the pan down before removing it to drain as much as possible out of the plug hole, and thought that was it. Well, much to my dismay as soon as you remove the pan every single bolt and protrusion continues to drip, fairly heavily, forever. this would be fine if you didn't have to reach into the waterfall of toxic strawberry death syrup to remove the 12 bolts that attach the VB to the transmission, but you do. Not only that but you have to do it while the pan or some other basin is directly under the transmission (because it's still dripping). Basically you have to do all this from just outside a comfortable position.
3) The valve body is surprisingly heavy for it's size....because it is absolutely full to the top with the death syrup. While removing the last two bolts (one at each end) I started pushing up on the part to gauge it's weight and was quite surprised. This would be fine if you didn't have to remove all the bolts, lower it down about 5" with one hand and unplug the VB->trans wiring harness with the other, but you do. For me this is where the first 1/4 quart of unexpected fluid made it's appearance. Also, due to the weight of the VB and my girlish figure, I had to replace the catch basin with a large piece of cardboard + a bunch of shop towels so I could actually get under the assembly to hold it up with one hand while I unplugged the harness with the other hand. Sidebar, look closely at the orientation of the harness clips before you remove the last VB bolt. balancing a fluid filled, razor sharp piece of metal above your chest is not the best time to figure out how to release an obscured wire clip with one hand. Between the installed position and my workbench, another 1/4 quart of fluid escaped the VB...
4) Even though you're now away from the FX ogling over the complexity of the VB casting and patting yourself on the back, the transmission is still dripping... In my case it's now soaked through the cardboard and is starting to pool in the driveway.
5) The VB is still holding a significant amount of fluid, and every time you flip it over more will escape.
6) When reinstalling the new (stronger) springs in the VB, use an allen key to push the spring into the cavity so that you can then guillotine the retaining pin back into place without firing the spring across your shop floor....twice.
7) If you have easy access to a drill press, use it for the separator plate work. I tried the first hole with a hand drill and did the rest with my drill press. It is ten times easier with the press.
To be honest, I'm being a little dramatic about the mess. Part of the reason it was so crazy was that I was completely unprepared to deal with it. I think if you go in Rambo style, ready to deal with a quart of fluid at any second from any location it would be a lot less aggravating. All in all it's not that bad. the mechanical portion, as dually noted by Handy Andy, is very straight forward. Even if you completely botch the labeled containers for holding the bolts, the worst case scenario is that you simply organize them by length real quick and regroup. Beyond drilling out the wrong hole in the separator plate or dropping the VB on the side with the electronics, I'm not sure how anyone could really screw it up too bad. Not counting all the breaks I took for various reasons, it took me just about 7.5 hrs at a very leisurely pace.
SHIFT KIT IMPRESSIONS
I don't have much to say about it that hasn't already been said. It is just like everyone describes it to be. In normal driving situations it is hardly noticeable. I think the transition from P to D is a little quicker now, but not by much. It is very much a "Jekyl and Hyde"" type mod. I'd bet my wife will never even know it's there.
That said, aggressive shifting (anything above 50% throttle and above 3500rpms) is absolutely transformed. the first time I experienced ther revised programming it startled me so much I instinctively let off the throttle entirely. It seriously feels like being rear-ended by a car made of soft rubber. It absolutely throws your head back as it lunges forward into the next gear. It's very very different than the stock "hardly noticeable" shifting schedule.
Obviously I highly recommend the kit to everyone who feels comfortable with the DIY approach. Having done it now there's no way I would pay over $100 to have it installed. Don't be discouraged by my whining about the mess, just go into it knowing that it is VERY VERY messy in every sense of the word. Not difficult, just messy.
Huge thanks to Handy Andy for the DIY and subsequent motivation to get this done. I never considered it a DIY worthy project until reading this thread.
(<-yeah, that's three thumbs up. That's how cool he is)"LittleGagne"
Member
- Location
- Pot Falls
Congrats boss!
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
Congrats Tim. Ah, I had mine up on front & rear ramps. I definitely see your aggravations if you just have the front up on ramps. I also use a block of 4x4 wood to rest the VB on it while trying to unplug the wires. I will build a platform when I get to do Chris (FX45Chicago) in about a week.
- Location
- Westminster OC
- Car
- car
Buahhaha, strawberry death fluid.
FX45Chicago
Member
- Location
- Chicago
- Car
- 2005 FX45 AWD
Andy drove my car yesterday like his wife was chasing him to do the cooking.
The power was smooth and linear, and also at the shift points.
Throw in the firm shifts of a Transgo, I think Andy would have stolen my car and left me on the side of the road.
Chris -- be sure to take pictures of the strawberry death waterfall as Andy starts to drink it. Hopefully it won't be as hot it was yesterday.
Anyone know where I can get one those full body rubber like the one Leslie Nielsen had over him in one the Nake Gun sequels
- Location
- Dallas, TX
- Car
- 2007 FX35 RWD
The only thing about this that worries me is doing it in my garage in the 100 degree heat. It sucks only being able to work during the summer. Guess I could start in the morning before everything gets too hot.
It was that hot yesterday in Chicago -- except when Chris gets his done I think it's supposed to be like in the 60's??? I think someone told me that.
Ed, I sure hope your weather forecast sourcing is accurate. It still gonna be a "biyatch" crawling under an hot engine.
Buy a window unit AC and just place it on the floor in the garage.... =)
I used to do that when I had a left over window unit from my college days. Makes a huge difference.
FX45Chicago
Member
- Location
- Chicago
- Car
- 2005 FX45 AWD
I can come at 7am Andy and we can start at 8am on the TransGo meanwhile tackling all the other mods etc, during the cooling LOL
I can come at 7am Andy and we can start at 8am on the TransGo meanwhile tackling all the other mods etc, during the cooling LOL
I am pretty jealous right now, can't lie. Especially that Jeep mod thing.
My install is delayed as I have to take it into Infiniti -- trying to see if they will replace my seat rails.
FX45Chicago
Member
- Location
- Chicago
- Car
- 2005 FX45 AWD
- Location
- Portland, OR