(Perhaps I should have posted this in forced induction, but it's a grey area here primarily for the 5.5gen transmission kit only. Would be this or that).

Hey guys,

I've been looking around here for a while for any sort of reviews on a turbo build on an auto 5.5 gen with a Transgo HD2 shift kit.

I've read a lot that turbo builds will normally break down the stock auto transmission pretty quickly, and was wondering how people with the HD2 kit have stood up to the turbo. I'm wondering if there is anybody at this point who has both. There has to be...

I'm working on a turbo build now, and I'm really interested in some reviews with this setup.

 

If anything it will prolong the life of the tranny. Also depends on how much power you;'re putting down.

I'd get cheap insurance and add a tranny cooler and the HD2 kit. Couldn't hurt.

 

You should probably reinforce it more than a HD2 kit

 

Such as? I wouldn't do that. Should be fine as is. And if it tanks, they're cheap enough and readily available to replace.

 

Reinforce the internals.
Must be some manufacturer out there

 

Unless I was planning on making 400+ whp, I wouldn't. Aside from that, the T&E involved in that effort, not worth it. In which case, I'd rather 6MT swap it, and actually spend the money to add some strength to that, given an AT and how they work, it's a little more difficult and more $$ to actually make them "stronger".


Also for all intents and purposes, I believe stiffer torque mounts are necessary with either a VB mod or "shift kit" of any sort. Without them, the car feels clumsy and disconnected. I'd also suggest an NWP torque link.

 

big money solution


http://www.levelten.com/Level_10_PTS...1800-9000s.htm

 

Stock auto trans can hold a lot. At least B&M auto trans cooler and Valve Body upgrade for forced induction or spirited driving. Jime ran 10's on the old 4th gen 4spd. DRmod a.k.a. vb upgrade "bypass".

 

Not sure how much a Turbo'd auto tranny with hd2 can take but I'll let you know soon enough.

 

I'm very interested to know how it goes! I appreciate the comments. I know many people have done the HD2 VB mod, but there's so little feedback. I've given mine, but it doesn't seem that anyone has reviewed this who has both the HD2 and a boosted max.

To clear some things up on my end, I've already have an HD2 auto transmission with a cooler. I've had my fun with the kit, and it really makes the car feel like a new car and the power is noticeable. The transmission has absolutely no trouble handling the power of a N/A motor anymore.

My goals for my project would be a maximum of 400whp. I don't want to change the subject of the thread much to veer on the side of turbo builds though since that will jump onto a whole other discussion. I'm asking particularly about the HD2 kit + addon cooler because that's an inexpensive build option to build up an automatic transmission to handle more power. It's reasonably priced and honestly, it's tiding me over much more than having a manual or even doing a swap. I'm really content with this. Lets just assume that I only have a modest amount of money to spend on this kind of work too - the kind of money that takes some saving week to week.

I imagine if the stock auto can handle a low boost, then it should definitely be even safer with a little build up with a HD2 kit and cooler. Like Nmex said too, they're not too expensive to replace either. There's a risk to every mod however, but I'm gonna try to limit the possibility of having to replace something heavy the best I can.

 

I'm not too concerned about the hd2 tranny handling boost. There's already been some who've had no issues with stock tranny and boost unless I've read wrong which is entirely possible.

 

I had written that stock autos seem to break down quickly with turbo boost because it seems many people only mention very briefly when it dies. Who knows? Maybe I've only read about people who hammer it 24/7 on stock auto with high boost.

I feel a little bit better about it now if stock can stand up even a little bit, especially in the range of stock with HD2 running boost.

Mattx, are you working on boosting a Max?

 

I personally think the stock trans is really stout and if you what more change your torque converter, upgrade your engine and transmission mounts and add that necessary oil cooler which is thermostatically controlled and incorporating a HP4 style filter...running a decent brand of fluid....

 

only thing I hate about the HD2 kit is is the 1-2 kick and odd 2-3 shifting.

 

Yes I'm about 85% of the way there. Just need cold side piping and inter cooler. That's about it besides a couple odds and ends. That and the weather to get a little warmer then 5*

I've read mixed reviews as far as stock tranny and boost goes. I believe what cmax says to be true. I also think a lot of people get boosted and start hammering their cars more than usual not that I blame them.