Hi,
I just bought a 2002 Max SE automatic. I love the 255hp but it seems to take off in too high a gear. Does any one know if there is a performance ECU chip out there I could install to improve the downshift time and gear response overall. I purchased one before for my 89 vette and it made a big time improvement in acceleration! I was hoping to find something similar and easy to install for the Max.

THanks for helping :-)

Blackmaxgic

 

Get a valve body mod instead. Much better and reliable than an ECU upgrade. Also extends the life of your transmission.

 

Ts Ecu............................................... .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. ...................

 

YOu mean there's no ECU to coax the computer into downshifting at mid-throttle?
PS: what's a valve body mod?

 

A Valve Body mod will make your automatic shift like a manual. The shifts will be firmer and harder, and the results are quite noticeable. It's specifically made to cater for your desire of quicker shifts and better response.

As far as ECUs go, I've stayed away from looking into that mod, so I'm not entirely certain what options there are in the field.

 

OK. You've got me interested in the valve mod. How much $$ and could you point me to the FAQ if there's one? I'd like to learn more about it. My other MAx is a 5sp 99' so I don't have such concerns there

Thanks

 

The only person/shop I know that does the VB mod is Jeff at MaximumTuning, but that's out here in Long Island. I'm not sure of an existing FAQ, but I can tell you that there are three "stages" of this mod. Stage 1 is the softest stage, where the car will shift a bit more firmer, but not by much. Stage 2 seems to be the most popular stage, very close to a 5spd shift and firmer than 1. Stage 3 is about as close to a 5spd shift you can get - very firm and quick shifting, probably not the best for everyday driving.

It costs about $500-600 with labor and a tranny cooler will be installed as well to make sure your transmission runs even better. http://www.maximumtuning.net/

Go there and give Jeff a call if you wish. My personal recommendation is stage 2. Good for everyday driving, great for some extra thrills.

 

Cool, thanks! Long Island is quite a drive. I'll check out that link

 

if your gonna get a VB I also recommend you to get a tranny cooler too.

 

Here couple of links;

http://www.maximumtuning.net/

http://mobiletek.net/index.html

Get a B&M tranny cooler.