95 T/A tranny vs. 95 Z tranny?

[pandorasboyfriend]

My wifes tranny blew out yesterday, 3rd & OD. She has a 95 Auto with the performance sift button on the center console.

A guy in the "for sale" forum has a 95 Z28 tranny.

My question is...is the Z28 tranny the same as the Trans Am in 1995?

[Kevin - Blown 95 TA]

Yep. The Z-28 is just not wired for the performance mode switch.

[pandorasboyfriend]

...

Yep. The Z-28 is just not wired for the performance mode switch.

that stinks!.

thanx for the reply, Kevin

[Injuneer]

that stinks!.

thanx for the reply, Kevin

Not sure if you understand the response. The trannies are IDENTICAL. It is just the wiring harness on the Z28 body that is different. In fact, you can wire the Z28 to enable the performance mode.

But the trannies are identical, interchangeable, and the performance button on your wife's car will work.

[Jeff_in_Atl]

Z28 don't have the performance mode switch but they are programmed to always be in the performance mode. Firebirds just have the switch to take it out of performance mode. You can't take the Z28 out of performance mode (unless you changed the program).

The trans is identical.

[94 formula]

I'm just curious, what does the performance mode do? Does it let the engine run to a higher rpm or make the shifts firmer like a shift kit does?

[Steel2686]

I'm just curious, what does the performance mode do? Does it let the engine run to a higher rpm or make the shifts firmer like a shift kit does?

A good friend of mine had a '96 T/A. From what I remember, it just shifts at a higher RPM. It was a difference of 500 - 1,000 rpms if I recall. The shifts didn't feel any firmer to me, but it's been a while since I was in that car. He sold it in 2000.

[Jeff_in_Atl]

I'm just curious, what does the performance mode do? Does it let the engine run to a higher rpm or make the shifts firmer like a shift kit does?

There are 2 tables on the programming. 1 is for normal mode and 1 is for performance mode. The switch on the Pontiac always the driver to choose which table it uses. The Camaro is always in performance mode. The performance mode raises both the shift points and line pressures.

[Kevin - Blown 95 TA]

It's nice if you have the switch and can program your PCM because then you can taylor your shifts for nice & cushy to hard & raunchy with the push of a button. Like Fred mentioned, it isn't uncommon for the Z28 owners to wire in a switch to do this then maybe use LT1 Edit to make it do what they want. Inside the PCM, there are separate tables for Performance Mode Shift Offsets & for Normal Mode - both pressure & mph/rpm. I have mine set to hard & harder (for the track).

[Steel2686]

Interesting. I didn't realize it raised the line pressure as well. Like I said, it has been a while since I was in that car. Plus he almost never drove it out of performance mode.