Anyone have any experience with building up their automatic tranny? I found a company called level 10 that does automatic upgrades. What is the max safe hp at the crank or wheels for the 5.5 gen with automatic?

 

Check out IPT. I would use them over level 10.

 

There are a lot of threads here with this info. Do a search.

Stock 3.5l motor can usually handle 400-450hp. There's always risks though. The auto Trans can handle about 400 to the wheels with a VB mod and an external cooler. Trans Go HD2 kit is a great mod for handling this power. Again though, not everyone will have the same luck.

I wouldn't recommend buying a pre built transmission unless you plan on abusing your car near exclusively or if you plan to go over 450+, unless you've just got a lot of cash to blow.

 

torque steeeeer

 

You planning on going massive turbo with a 150 shot or?

 

All bolt on plus S/C and tune. I was thinking long term reliability though.

 

Jime beat the holy hell out of his tranny’s and all he had IIRC was an external cooler and a VB mod.

I’d go with those 2, and if you want cool added features, go with a higher stall convertor and maybe a Suprastick V4 ... if they even make those anymore.

 

How does the car feel after a valve body upgrade?

 

hmmm would like some insight from some that has Dons VB like I do compared to Level 10s auto tranny upgrade stage 3 or just their VB upgrade. I hear my tranny may fail even though ive taken every precaution I can think of. Im Using a larger tranny cooler, Dons VB upgrade, Eagle HS trq converter, and AEM digital gauges to monitor temperature.

Im running a fully built 3.5 super charged 13 psi, 3.0 timing on nistune soon to be completed. Its currently at the shop Petrol Werks. It will be tuned by Chris Miller, I probably wont make more than 450 whp

If my Auto tranny does fail Im considering Level 10s full tranny build and be done with it. Any thoughts please feel free to share.

 

Until one of those scrawny little axles snaps...

 

Just run the car until the transmission completely grenades itself. Who knows, it might not fail after all.

 

That's true hopefully not. If it does I'll definitely post feedback here once I get the level 10. We shall see.

 

I would recommend the Transgo HD2. Best mod I've ever done to my car by far. Until your car gets to operating temperature, it shifts so smooth that you can't even feel it. Once it gets to operating temp though, you will literally start laughing every time it shifts. It's the most amazing thing ever. Super fast 1-2, it breaks my tires loose on that shift. It feels like you're car is being catapulted forward. At the same time, it doesn't feel harsh at all. 2-3 is a nice crisp shift as well as 3-4. There's almost no time lost from shifting.

 

Not familiar with Transgo HD2 who are they?

 

What I used for a 5.5 gen trans...
http://www.transgo.com/products.php?...dcountview=Yes
That picture in the link is NOT what the actual kit looks like. New shift solenoids is also a good idea with this mod if yours are old. Lots of info and opinions on this mod here in the forums.

You can get these at a few places. One being Summit.