This might be a bad time to post this, (due to all the “Don, where is my VB” threads) but it’s NOT intended as a flame, but his customer service needs a little improvement. I had to email Don twice (maybe 3X) asking that he do not re-install a particular item on my VB. After my last email he finally replied asking me not to email him again about this particular item. I kinda got upset thinking if he would have replied the first time, there would have been no need for me to repeat myself. Within those 3 emails, I also was inquiring about other services MobileTek provides which I’ve yet to get a answer. Unlike most of you guys I sent in “my” VB to be re-cal, expecting a fast turn-around it took about a month once it left my doors to return and it was sent Priority Mail both directions. All this was no big deal because it was a spare VB I had. Granted his GD started about the time when the Dallas area was flooded, which put a cramp to all those living in this area.

Now about the actual “Don’s VB” mod. I’m VERY pleased with the VB, all that you have read is true faster and firmer shifts. Now I’m coming from a Trans-go kit which firm up the OEM shifts, but his VB took it a couple of steps more. For all those who are coming from a OEM VB to Don’s VB this thing will open your eyes the first time it shift to 2nd. It kinda reminds me of those HydroMatic 400 trannies with a shift kit, but without that monster V8 torque in-front of it. For those who’s running a SC/NOS I see and understand how this mod is a must. I’m not getting that whinning noise like some of you guys, in or out of gear. The daily driveability will take a little getting use to, but if you’re willing to except a firmer/hasher shifting this is the way to go for those who are into performance. I’ve yet to do a full WOT runs (auto and manually) to see the difference but I’m sure I’ll be pleased. And for those who have posted a slightly lower et’s I see no reason why it’s no true.

Thanks again, until the next time.

 

Houston, not Dallas. Good to see you are happy though.

 

Nothing wrong with giving us honest opinion. At least you didn't hold the customer service issues against him and trash his work. If Don is a good businessman, he will appreciate the constructive criticism and improve his communications with customers.

 

I cant wait to get the VB!!!man almost 400 bucks aND I GOT my CC bill hehe. Still havent got the VB mod yet. Well good things are worth waiting for.

 

Thats OK Michael, no apology is necessary, your thanks is enough.

Yep, 3 feet of water in your house slows you down. As of today, some buildings in the Downtown area are still without electricity. 100,000 people are out of homes, so " a little cramp" is exactly right!

I've looked thru all of your emails (23 of them back and forth between us) and I can't find the questions you are asking, its possible they were lost, so please email us again.


Don

 

just wondering how it will benefit my everyday driving and my aggressive weekend driving ?

also..

considering it as my only mod performance wise.

 

all of this has probably been documented and is probably on mobilteks site ... or on a post somewhere...

 

Will do in the near future, email my questions that is. I remember one of my many questions (before the GD) I ask if it was possible to increase the line pressure for those who are looking for all out performance and no creature comfort. Your reply was "it hits hard enough" and I have to agree it does. But yet another ?'s, I'm assuming your VB (or any other VB for that matter) will hit harder in a new re-man unit as compared to a unit that has 0,000's of miles because I have 1500 on my unit, correct?

 

Its been rebuilt, so the VB is as good as new. However, the hardness (or firmness) of the shifts will depend on the clutches. If they are good, the shifts will be crisp and quick. If they are bordering bad (slipping already), the shifts won't be a firm. The trick is the get the VB mod BEFORE your clutches start to slip. The trick is....by the time they start slipping, its too late.

don

 

is the Vb easy to take out of the tranny. I have looked at the website and it looks complicated. Yet you guys that have had this done make it sound as if it was a simple process. Is it easy to take out the Vb? How long is the process?

 

Candiman, amixam69, Menacer, Don,

Candiman, keep in mind that email is not 100% reliable and stuff does get lost. The process also requires the recipient to log on and check mail. There's no guarantee that this will be done every day. So, don't equate 'email responsiveness' with 'customer service' as the two are quite removed from eachother. For important questions and info, it may be better to call directly.

amixam69, the VB is the component of an automatic trans that uses fluid pressure to control the actions of the tranny's internals (e.g. the speed that clutches engage, etc.) You may have noticed that when you stomp the go-pedal and hold it down, like during a race, the engine will spin freely while the tranny engages the next gear. This delay can be several seconds under WOT which is time that your car is not putting power to the road. It also results in faster wear of the clutches since there is additional friction with the clutches as they slowly engage. Don's VB elimates this and better connect the car to the road. A mild downside is that a rapid shift results in a little jolt during normal driving. A small price to pay, IMO.

Menacer, the install is not as complicated as one might expect, but it is not simple. A friend did mine for me after having done his own and it took us about 3 hours from start to finish. I had all the parts, fluids, gaskets, etc. ready before we started. There are dozens of bolts to take out and they all have to go back into the same place they came out of. Each bolt must be mapped or indexed somehow during the swap so that you are dang sure that you're putting it back in the right place. It's also a little cramped under there unless you have access to a lift.

I recall Don saying in posts from a few months ago that the VB's are in shorter supply during the summer. While I'm not sure why, this may be the reason why other folks are experiencing delays.

I believe that the firmness in my car's shifts is about as extreme as it can get, since mine is a new transmission. I installed Don's VB after replacing my tranny after 95k miles, 32k of them with the SC and other mods you see below. I am sure that if I had installed the VB when I first put in the SC, I would still have the original tranny and saved myself $3600.

Based on this painful expense, I'd say that anyone who has an auto Maxima that doesn't go for Don's VB is asking for trouble, especially if they race or drive the car hard. For me, Don's VB at twice the price would be a bargain compared to the cost of a new tranny.

Jim

 

by the way... i made swiss cheese out of your Pop CHarger...

i think it was battery acid....

 

So, with the VB, is the shift firm enought that there's no need to manually shift? As you guys know, the stock automatic transmission has a rather soft/weak shift when left in Drive. That's why I would often manually shift if I wanted to get the most out of the car. I would hope that by having the VB, I wouldn't have to manually shift, which I don't really like/want to do anyway.

 

DON, check your email if you din't get mine let me know and i'll call. Sorry to hear you have water in your basment. Hope everything gets better.

 

Mike, I am with you. I had Trans-go and was satisfied, then I rode in a car with Don's and was like 'wow, this is even better, gotta have it' it rocks.

 

There are several guys in his GD, and for those who are on the list they need to be kept up to date about the cores, if they are being return promply. Yes Don doesn't have any control on how fast others return the cores, but a little message here and there goes a long way. Those on the end of the list knew what the conditions was going to be, and to have their CC billed and no product I cant blame them for being nervous even if Don's a reputable buisness man. I may be speaking out my a s s if up dated emails are being sent privately.

 

Thanks for your reply, i appreciate the advice adn i really want to have this done. hopefully i'll pay off my c card in alot faster than i plan to to have this done. Thanks and take care.

 

We don't have basements here in Texas, so 3 feet is messy, lol. The last email I received from you was on June 3rd, the last one I sent to you was on June 20th.


Don

 

Damn no basement that really sucks. The last email I sent was july 10th i sent it to mobiletek.net address i'll send resend it to dgcoop@swbell.net...ok sent it hope you get it this time.