My 03 Maxima has 165,000 miles on it. For the last year or so I've noticed the transmission will flare between the 1-2 and 2-3 shift when I am at low part throttle grandma style driving. When I'm 3/4 throttle to wot it shifts fine. The part throttle shift flare is about a 400 rpm "slip" before it will shift. I know these transmissions are known to go out, but I feel like mine has given me a long run at the mileage it's at.
Here's something I noticed today. I decided to flip my drop resistor switch on my way home from work just for kicks. The car fealt good when I did this. It shifts faster than factory, but not violently like it used to. I originally did the drop resistor mod at 75,000 miles and only used it at the track. It used to feel real violent when it shifted. Now, at 165,000 miles, the transmission just feels more sporty with the drop resistor bypassed. Does this tell me my clutch packs are badly worn ,or my valve body should be replaced? Will I do more damage to the transmission by leaving the drop resistor bypassed?
I plan to keep my car for a long time. The engine runs great, and it's in real good shape. If I end up having to put a used transmission in it so be it.

 

Valve body replacement time.

I'm unsure if you're causing more damage with the mod given how it's acting, but the consensus is to only use that mod when racing/WOT if you feel you need to.

 

Any idea what the cost of the valve body would be? What is mechanic book time for this?

 

What's a flip switch mod?

Do a transgo kit in there next time

 

Search for drop resistor mod. It's a common thing to do for 4th and 5th gens.

 

What a dumb (stupid) thing to do. Why not just get a HD2 kit or rebuild it instead of taxing a stock transmission not meant for spirited driving.

 

He didn't say flip switch mod.

We know what dumb means.


OP, I dont know much about the transgo kits but after some searching for your gen I found that they do help keep the transmission in good shape. Also I think this members name was "Gregg" or something but i found a post of his in a thread that said he installed the transgo hd2 kit on his DD and regretted it because of the harsh transmission shifts when not accelerating at WOT. If I were you, since you talk about keeping your car for a long time, I would try to find a lower mileage transmission, rebuild it and install that kit, in due time.

 

^^ Drop resistor mod is essentially like dropping the clutch all the time on a manual. It will 100% ruin your tranny from constant use. Definitely not recommended, and if done should be for track use only.

Btw george_ the word "taxing" and the fact that you included the definition of dumb....thats classic ^^ lol

Transgo kit is good, not sure how much it will help if the trans is already bad.

Dont get the HD2 if you dont want more violent shifts, get the regular transgo kit.

 

This is my long term plan.

 

I've noticed the "advice" you give on this forum never actually helps anybody.

 

And I care WHY? Not my money going into a transmission you're going to kill anyway with this mod .

 

You will have this problem on those transmissions no matter the milage.
Known issue with lots of threads.
The fix is the valve body replacement, not the transmission.

I'm not against a 6 speed swap though.