I just got a valve body upgrade and my Maxima runs great..I got the modified valve body from Don in Texas..I had a local transmission place install for me (1-2 hours)..For anyone with a automatic Maxima this is definitely a must mod!!!Car shifts faster and quicker than before...BIG DIFFERENCE...Feels like driving a clutchless stick...

1996 Nissan Maxima GXE automatic FSTB, RSTB, RSB, 17x8 TSW IMOLA'S 235/45 Dunlop 8000, CAI Intake, CATTMAN Y-Pipe, Greddy Cat-back, Tokico w/Eibachs...Other mods....

 

I've heard about this upgrade many times. Is this a piece if hardware or something? How much did it cost?

 

its a swap from your own valve body from the one that is modded. your local tranny shop may be able to do it. if not, Don in Texas has the hook up. it's about $450. it basically makes your car shift a lot faster. i hear it drops something like .6 in the 1/4. i'm saving up for it.

 

are there any consequences to doing this mod? besides harder shifts? how does the tranny fare? this sounds like the best mod for us autos but i dont want to have to buy a new tranny.

 

From what i have been told is that it help the life of the tranny, so it is actually going to make your tranny last longer.

Hey guys
How much did yall pay the transmission place to get your valve body installed???

Let ME KNOW!

 

VB mod basically increases line pressure in the tranny, making the shifts firmer and faster. In my opinion the harder shifts aren't harsh at all, it shifts too fast to really notice. You don't have to worry about your car jerking on every shift because it won't. This mod however increases the fluid temp so a tranny cooler is a MUST.
As for the install, if you can change your car's oil, you can do this mod yourself and save a couple hundred dollars.
It took me about 4 hrs, I was taking my time. You just take out the tranny pan, unscrew lots of bolts, take out the VB (chunky square metal), put in new VB, screws back in, pan back on and you're done. This mod definitely helped my abused tranny, put some life back into it. I recommend the VB mod for any heavy footed auto drivers without any question.

 

?

 

dgcoop@swbell.net

 

What is the difference between Don's and Level 10's VB?

 

Can someone explain to me how the ride is with this mod?? I dont want to sling my sons head around just driving around town. Does it only shift hard when you want it to?

Thanx

 

How much did the valve body cost? How much did the transmission shop charge you to install it? In short, what were the total cost on the VB upgrade? I am considering getting it too. Thanks.

 

Depending on whether you want to ship your VB to Don to have it modded and have your Max down for a few days or if he has a modded one he can send you so you can just swap them out, here's a breakdown:

Valvebody mod from Don in Texas: $450.00
UPS Overnight shipping: ~$50
Transmission Cooler(Hayden 403/404): $40/$50
Extra hose for cooler (4 ft): ~$4

Total cost: $550 and some change...

--For the swap Don asks to get your core back within 3 days, hence the overnight shipping. Two day should work also if you time it right.

The ride still can be smooth as long as you keep the RPMs down during normal driving. When I keep the shifts around 2k RPMs (granny mode) you can hardly feel the tranny shift since it's so quick, but once you get up to around 4k RPMs the shifts get quicker and harder. It shouldn't give anybody whiplash, but it may make your passengers wonder what the heck happened to your car....hehehe.

I'm not sure how much the install costs because I did it myself. It really isn't too difficult as long as you have someone to help out. The VB is kinda heavy so it's nice to have another person holding it up while you're removing or putting back the bolts. It also gets messy, but it wasn't worth it to me to pay for an install. You'll also need a torque wrench that measures near 1 ft-lb up to 6 ft-lb (12in-lb - 72 in-lb). You can probably borrow one from the local Pep Boys or Autozone for a deposit that gets returned to you after you return the torque wrench.

Feel free to email me with any more questions. I'm studying for an exam now and love to procrastinate.

 

I can't wait to get that thing on! It's taking my tranny a long time to shift these days. I've heard nothing but good things about this mod so I'm real excited.

 

Is the valve body upgrade possible on supercharged Maximas? If so, is there any additional consequences associated with such a modification?? Is it even practical?

Thanks a lot.

 

If I decide to have him send one of his instead of mine. The VB that he has already modded, is it used or brand new? I kinda hate the idea of getting a used piece of eqipment.

 

I thought about that too. I'm pretty sure it's used, but the thing is that he rebuilds these with genuine Nissan parts (gaskets, etc...) and modifies them so they shift faster. Because of the rebuild, it's almost like getting a brand new one.

 

I guess you're right about the fact that it's like getting a new one. Maybe I should send in my own. Then I'll be driving my 91 Stanza for a couple of days(4 cylinder, uughh!). When I send in my VB, am I guaranteed to get my own VB back?

 

I think that you would, but only Don would know for sure.

His email is dgcoop@swbell.net

 

It cost me about $100 for the installation and $450 for the Modified Valve Body...Also include $50 for the Tranny Cooler..Definitely a must...

 

If you ship me your VB to have the modification done, I will send you thae same VB back. I've done tons of these, and sometimes people ask that question. Its actually easier for me to do your VB than sending out a core first. Rest assured, the one you send me will be the one I send back. It really doesn't matter anyway, cause they are completely dis-assembled and re-assembled, so it wouldn't make a difference. If you are concerned, etch a mark somewhere on the VB itself, that way you will know for sure what you are getting back.

Don