Recently had this kit installed. Nothing surprising about change, 1-2 shift I've found having to anticipate and let off the throttle in order to avoid harsh shift under low-moderate throttle conditions. Low and heavy throttle the 1-2 is great. I even had the shop install Amsoil fluid when the they put her back together. Enough about that.

My question is whether those on the forum with this kit have experienced any oil odors after installation? I have confirmed there are no leaks. I am convinced the odor is coming from the transmission vent. The weather has not been particularly warm either. So I'm not sure how this could be indication of needing a tranny cooler. I have few mods and don't run the car very hard.

Thoughts?

 

I have the maxtunning valve body, I don't care for the 1-2 shift unless its full throttle. It's too jerky for my taste.

When I installed it I did not have any smells, I wiped everything down and washed it off when I was done though, maybe its residual from when it was filled if they spilled fluid?

 

I installed a B&M cooler (model 70268) after doing my HD2 shift kit. The SK increases line pressure in specific areas and as a result, temperatures go up. I'd recommend a cooler, since it's only $50 and it's super easy to install.

It takes a lot to get over the fact that the super firm 1-2 shift isn't hurting anything We just live in a time where smooth-shifting transmissions are considered good transmissions.

 

The Maxima is a picky beach..and installing this makes it even more so, but performs better. You'll get used to it...as far as the smell, I dunno never smelled anything.

 

I hated my 1-2 part throttle shift. But after PUR bushings, it's hardly noticeable. I suggest you fellers invest in a set. It REALLY compliments the VB mod. And that's that I have a Stage II.5. I'm not embarrassed to take people with me anymore because the shifts are so crisp and you feel far more connected to the car with the bushings.

The kit will actually lower the need for a cooler, less friction, etc. Although it is cheap insurance.

 

Oh, and while we're discussing this, I actually had a slight problem develop AFTER the shift kit was installed.

My transmission flares from 2-3 but ONLY when the transmission is warmed up and usually only under medium-throttle! WTF?! I doubt anyone on here knows why this is, but any help/suggestions would be appreciated. The cooler I installed seems to make it slightly better, but the flare is still there.

 

which ones?

yeah i get it as well...had it in my old tranny also

 

You mean the bushings?

Mine are only poly filled, but according to their hardness are on par with the ES set.

 

yeah which bushings

 

You get and got the 2-3 warm, part-throttle flare too? And it didn't hurt anything?

 

Home made poly filled or ES.

 

Haven't noticed anything...My new tranny has 60k on it so it should be fine. My old tranny when it was going out was REALLY bad, but even when I got the car it had the "flare"

 

That's comforting to know. It's just weird that the 2-3 flaring only started after the SK was installed.

 

I wasn't going to mention it, but I have that flare too. I'll have to verify whether it is 2-3 or 3-4, but it is a mid-high throttle when it occurs. I wasn't concerned about it as it doesn't seem to be slippage. I'm guessing this is just a flaw? I'm NOT knowledgeable about auto trannys, but could this be something associated with a band adjustment? I understood that was part of what addressed the 1-2 shift was adjusting the band.

I will definately have a cooler installed. I'll also likely install a thermostat for it too.

 

But which bushings are replaced? As in motor mount, tranny mount etc

 

I am sure the NWP torque link would help too.

 

You can't get poly bushings for anything but the 2 torque mounts. (you could do the others yourself, but I assume Nmex was talking about the 2 torque mounts)

 

Also good to know. Seems like transgo is doing something wonky with their 2-3 modification... but like you said, it's just a flare (no slippage that I know of). Still, it's annoying. Another thing I've found though is that if I use my Dropping Resistor WOT switch, I definitely don't get any 2-3 slippage at WOT. So as long as I always use that at WOT, I don't think there's really anything to worry about (that's when most damage is going to occur if there are crappy shifts). With the HD-2 kit AND DR WOT switch, WOT shifts are great!

 

What about the difference of being an electronic torque mount for the AT?...or does it even matter when being replaced with ES mounts?

(i.e. no codes?)

 

Actually, it makes it a bit more harsh, but it's ok because my tires chirp all the time with it and I think that's cool.

And it depends on the actual setting of the ETL also.

Well for obvious reasons the only mounts ES offers, which are the torque mounts. These are attached to the crossmember. The other 2 don't really "harness" anything IMO as far as engine movement goes.

 

My motor mounts die on me a little after a week of installing Transgo HD2 no weird smell coming from tranny

 

Yeah, odor has definately got my attention. Will talk to transmission shop tomorrow and move forward with the tranny cooler with thermostat. Good thing I bought a whole case of Amsoil ATF.

Thanks for all the responses. I had initially dismissed this as the shop guy had gotten oil somewhere inside my car and that is why I was smelling it. But It's been a couple weeks and several passengers even notice it. Not getting worse.....NOT getting better!

Again, I know the direction I need to be headed....Thanks to all!

 

I have ES motor mounts and the Torque link brace, and when I disconnect the drop resistor partial throttle shifts are still SUPER hard...

 

i have a cooler with no thermostat (Hayden 404), it is pretty sweet. Only con with no thermastat is in the winter its pretty cold shifts for the first 10 mins of driving, I have learned to not get on it too much first thing in the morning. Though I have here and there its not the end of the world, but it's not totally pleasant.

can you elaborate on this kit. What other benefits do you see? Im guessing mainly assurance of a stronger tranny under aggresive conditions?

 

There are a couple other threads which could probably detail the kit better than I can. Essentially it is a reprogram kit for the tranny. Kit is designed for higher HP applications (boost/NOS). Illiminates slipping 1-2 shifts (100%!) and enhances the 2-3 shift as well as improving the TC lock-in. Kit assists the transmission in downshifting....what I would describe as improved tranny responsiveness to the throttle.

Only "complaint" would be truly how harsh the 1-2 shift is. I have literally had to learn how to avoid this....which is possible. If not accelerating hard, I just briefly let off the throttle right before it shifts....doing this, sometimes I don't even know it shifted it is so smooth.

Got the kit for about $150 and total cost with kit installed (NOT including the Amsoil I bought) was around $360 (10% TN tax).

 

No way around that, the DR mod part throttle is just plain out ridiculous and not good for the car.

 

I read this thread and can only think: Autotragic. You poor guys.

 

The way I see it....as long as my 260 and '89 Maxima turbo are manual, it's okay!

Regarding your tag...interesting becuase when I got my 2003 Max I checked and there is no one else in TN who has VQ35DE either or VG30ET for my turbo Max. When I renew, I just may have to go there for each car.

 

Yeah that's the disadvantage of those types of coolers. I have a B&M cooler and it has a cold temperature bypass valve so when the fluid is cold (and more viscous) it just bypasses the fins in the cooler and goes back to the transmission. Nice feature for those of us with nasty winters.

 

A flare is slippage and it isn't good for the transmission. If using the DR mod fixes the issue, probably a line pressure problem or something in the valve body limited line pressure.

 

Yeah, but why would it be doing it only when warm? You'd think as the fluid heats up and becomes less viscous, it'd flow through the VB better... It doesn't really make sense

 

Not sure, usually the problem is when the transmission is cold and goes away once it warms up.

 

My current theory is that my several feet of wire and cheap radio shack switch for my dropping resistor are increasing resistance and screwing up line pressure. I'm gonna try disconnecting it tomorrow and see if the flare goes away. Could be totally wrong, but it's worth a try.

 

Could the flare be a TCU issue? Perhaps a side effect of increased pressure and the TCU compensating...or thinking it's doing something it should?

Does my idiocy regarding auto trannys shine brilliantly?

 

I think everyone's an idiot when it comes to diagnosing problems in our 4ATs... they're too complicated and problematic. I just hate it so much..... (but I loooove my car still )

 

i love my car too.....but HATE my flare......maybe ill just 6 speed swap it

 

You get a 2-3 flare too??! Do you have an HD-2 shift kit?

 

no i dont have the HD-2.... it just started flaring like 3 months ago out of the blue....but its DEF getting worse, so bad that im thinking about de-modding the car and trading it in for something else!

 

It's probably your shift solenoids in your valve body. They're $309 from courtesy parts. They get clogged over time. I changed mine a year or so ago, and it fixed my 1-2 flare/slip. (though some clutch pack damage had already been done)... but I suppose there are other things that could cause a flare (TCM, bad fluid, clutch pack problems, seal problems, etc etc etc)...