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  • Questions about Trans. Filter

    Well, I've had my car for about 7 months now and I have done a good bit of work to it, but now I need to focus on the transmission. The fluid doesn't look too good, it looks brown, but doesn't smell burnt. The tranny doesn't slip or lag, either, even though it's got 176,000 miles on it. So I've decided to put in a new transmission filter and fluid since I have no idea how long it has been since it's been changed. I just have some quick questions.

    1. How hard is it, on a scale of 1 to 10, to drain the tranny and put in a new filter?
    2. What brand of filter should I get?
    3. While I have the tranny drained, should I install a shift kit or at least a deeper pan (I think I know the answer to this one )?

    Thanks in advance for the help. Transmissions are about the last thing I don't feel I understand very well on cars (well, auto trannies).
    1991 Chevy Camaro RS (Is it plum or purple?)
    Engine: 305 TBI (L03)
    Trans: TH700R4
    Mods: Some

    CarDomain Site

  • #2
    The difficulty level would depend on your experience level, but I'd say about a 2 or a 3. The hardest part is not making a mess draining the pan, there is no drain plug. Remove the pan, pop out the old filter, install the new filter and gasket and bolt the pan back up. FIll 'er up with fluid and you're good to go. Slightly harder than changing the oil, only becasue their are so many bolts and the pan's a &*%$ to drain. As far as the shift kit, that's up to you, but that would definately up the difficulty level, and if it's an original tranny with 176,000 miles, I'm not so sure I would want to put that extra strain on it. I'd probably wait until you had to get a new tranny anyway, then do it then. Just my thoughts.
    Dave M
    Life, liberty, and the pursuit of all who threaten it!


    Comment


    • #3
      Yeah, I had a shift solenoid go bad on mine, so I have to pull the pan to replace it. out of the 5 quarts that will come out of it when pulling the pan I caught about 4 of the 5 quarts. that is the worse part of doin it, is making a mess. I was gonna weld in a drain plug but I ran out of time, so I had to put it back together without it.
      Richard Harvey Jr.
      '94 T/A LT1 (stock) - SOLD

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by Dave M
        ..... As far as the shift kit, that's up to you, but that would definately up the difficulty level, and if it's an original tranny with 176,000 miles, I'm not so sure I would want to put that extra strain on it. I'd probably wait until you had to get a new tranny anyway, then do it then. Just my thoughts.
        This is a common misconception but nontheless a misconception.

        Installing a shift kit that will consequently decrease the shift duration as well as increasing clutch engagement firmness, will not decrease the life of the tranny in any way. In fact it will prolong the clutch life.

        The "faster" and the harder the clutches are engaged, the less friction and consequently the less wear that will be subjected upon them.

        Comment


        • #5
          ok, speaking of shift kits. I got a question. In '94 the Trans Am came with a proformance mode button.

          Perpose:
          The performance mode switch enables the operator to select a more aggressive shift pattern within the midrange throttle position (40% - 100%).While in performance mode, shifts will be firmer and delayed 1-3 mph upshifts or 1-3 mph downshifts.




          My question is, what would happen if I installed a shift kit(which is a firmer shift) and also turn on the proformance mode(which also makes the shift firmer)?? ??
          Richard Harvey Jr.
          '94 T/A LT1 (stock) - SOLD

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by TruckMuddr
            ok, speaking of shift kits. I got a question. In '94 the Trans Am came with a proformance mode button.

            Perpose:
            The performance mode switch enables the operator to select a more aggressive shift pattern within the midrange throttle position (40% - 100%).While in performance mode, shifts will be firmer and delayed 1-3 mph upshifts or 1-3 mph downshifts.




            My question is, what would happen if I installed a shift kit(which is a firmer shift) and also turn on the proformance mode(which also makes the shift firmer)?? ??
            Without getting into an in depth discussion of the specific PCM tables that are responsible for shifting, and hence altering those tables, using your "performance mode button" in conjunction with a shift kit should work ok together.

            I'm not 100% sure as to what the "performance mode button" does exactly, but I'm thinking it probably is responsible for a direct electrical resistance adjustment with an electrical solenoid within the valvebody and most likely communicates to the PCM to hold each shift to a slightly higher speed.

            Dave, I will ask tomorrow to try to get a detailed answer to this.

            Comment


            • #7
              ok, thanks man, I know I get 500RPM gain with it on, and also without it on I can't cherp the tires into second.
              Richard Harvey Jr.
              '94 T/A LT1 (stock) - SOLD

              Comment


              • #8
                I think I've decided against a shift kit for now. It probably won't be too long before I need a new tranny anyway so I'll wait and install a shift kit and Corvette servo then.

                One question, though. Is getting a deeper transmission pan (the kind that holds 2 to 3 more quarts) worth it? I noticed some of them have drain plugs, too. Sounds good, but, what do you guys think?
                1991 Chevy Camaro RS (Is it plum or purple?)
                Engine: 305 TBI (L03)
                Trans: TH700R4
                Mods: Some

                CarDomain Site

                Comment


                • #9
                  I installed a tranny pan that held 2 extra quarts on my 88 GTA, and it really affected ground clearnace. I was scraping on everything, especially speed bumps. The drain plug was convenient, but you can get stock-sized pans that have that feature. I'd say until you start modifying the tranny, stick with a stock pan or get a stock-sized one that has a drain.
                  Dave M
                  Life, liberty, and the pursuit of all who threaten it!


                  Comment


                  • #10
                    OK, I'll just stick with the stock pan. Thanks for all the help!
                    1991 Chevy Camaro RS (Is it plum or purple?)
                    Engine: 305 TBI (L03)
                    Trans: TH700R4
                    Mods: Some

                    CarDomain Site

                    Comment

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