Which would you choose? There might be a groupdeal for a JWT ECU right now. I'm not sure should I get that or a Level Ten Stage I rebuild. The L10 rebuild cost about $700, it's called a Performance Transmission Kit. L10 told me this is exactly what I need to get more performance out of the automagic. Then again, I know people will say anything to get your business. The JWT ECU is cheaper. There will be a core charge, but it will be refunded once you send your core back to them. So, any suggestion? I never seem to be able to make up my mind, so please advise.

 

Screw them both and get a 5spd conversion! Well at least you coulda easily with all that $$$ you spent on all those mods you sold!

But, if you MUST choose between these 2, get the rebuild. It will do more for you IMHO.

I personally cannot spend $500 + 500 core charge for a chip that adds 15HP. Superchips is half that price and usually adds more.

 

Both of the guys that I know that have L10 trannies in their S/Ced max's have had nothing but problems from them. One of them (SteveChicagoSC) thinks the level 10 upgrade is simply a tranny rebuild with a valvebody upgrade...go figure.

Go for a 5-speed conversion...

for now I'd say the JWT ecu...the gains from it are awesome....and the gains are through the entire powerband...not just a peak gain like other mods...

 

5spd is just more fun tho. And it gives you significantly more power, and more power to control your car.

Thats why its gonna be my next performance upgrade. I hope.

 

I agree 100%, this is how it all started. Pat couldn't get his story straight about the parts used, I confirmed this with Raybestos, and I felt that it was a simple rebuild with the VB upgrade (the ONLY way they will do a rebuild themselves, gee I wonder why?).

You can buy a rebuild "kit" for $700, but them you need to VB upgraded (but you do already), and you still have to rebuild your tranny. Labor will run another $750 at least.

I would look for a rebuilt tranny (complete), you can find them at dealerships, or reputable tranny rebuild companies, then just add the VB mod. Its cheaper in the long run.

 

I say take the tranny to a good tranny rebuilder. Have him build it to the application needed....Thats what I did...details on that coming soon.

 

I am also trying to do something else to my car. I have thought about going with Superchips since they are cheaper. I just don't know if it's as good as JWT. Then, I could go with a JWT ECU, but I would have to pay atleast $565. I am never going to do Turbo or NOS, so why would I need the custom programming job that JWT offers. So, who knows about Superchips? Are they anything like JET?

On the other hand, I can hook up my Auto tranny. But, will the hard shifts ever get on my nerves? Also, will the VB mod make me prone to any tranny problems in the future? Could the ECU ever cause any problems? Which mod (ECU or VB) will be the best bang for my buck? As soon as I my tax refund comes in, I will be ready to do something to my car to make it faster.

 

Best bang for the buck is the vb. But I say take it to your local respected custom tranny shop. Have them do it. They can do it the same day for like 200 bucks. Tell them what you want done and boom ready to go. Ecu is always the last mod to do. Do what ever you want then get the ecu. On another note, modding the tranny to shift better does not mean it has to be butt shaking hard shifting. Watch for my anoucement, I think it will change some peoples mind.(coming soon)

 

id get the level 10 tranny rebuild. its close to ny and i dont want any downtime or nothin like that. i know a buncha people want it on the org also. they quoted 700 installed!!? thats not that bad actually. claiming the .5secs off ur 0-60 and allowing your tranny to run longer..

 

The only reason why the ECU upgrade should be your last mod is if you are ever going to do Turbo, NOS, or anything else that might involve custom programming. Otherwise, you can get the ECU at anytime you'd like. All it is, is your stock ECU reprogrammed for better performance. It is still your stock ECU and it will still adjust itself to the usual bolt-ons, like Intake and Exhaust. But, if you have BIG plans for your car, it might be better to hold off on the ECU upgrade for now.

 

Thanks guys.

Of course I would like to do a 5spd swap, but a swap isn't easy. Finding all the parts is a PITA. I might do it eventually, but not any time soon. So, I guess I will go with the JWT ECU.

I talked to SteveChicagoSC too and from what I get the only reason he got a rebuild was because his tranny was slipping. He doesn't seem too impressed with it.

The tranny itself is still good, the VB still is awesome to me. I can still chirp second gear.


So, JWT ECU it is!

 

so you're saying theres an equivelant to Dons VB mod at a local transmission shop? for $200? hell yeah!

so what do I tell them when they say "why are you trying to make your maxima fast? its not a race car you know..."

what exactly will they do? I dont want a TransGO kit for $200...

 

No it's not a transgo shift kit garabage. I'm letting the cat out of the bag but it is the same thing that level 10 does and mobile tek does. What you tell them is that I want my vb moded so that I can get rid of some of the lag between shifts. My guy tells me that its basically just replacing a few springs. now there are some other minor things that go on but thats the big thing. The price varys from shop to shop. One other thing you got to tell them is how hard you want it to kick( of course it's not hard like replacing the whole tranny but you get what Im saying). ONe day appointment. Have fun.

O p.s. I'd like to add that this is not somthing any drivway mechanic can do. Or just some plain "pepboys" kinda shop can do. This should be done by a tranny shop that has experience on building some higher stres amplicaton transmissions.

 

hmmm....youre trying to drive don out of business huh?

j/k

anyway...if youre serious and right (and if it in fact turns out to be a valve-body upgrade, not a trans(no)go kit) im doing this next week!

so.... hows your tranny max'n out?

 

get the VB from Don and the ECU wouldn't that cost around the same as the L10 upgrade?

 

Not trying to put either out of business it's a competitive market with not competition, i'm putting compettion out there.

Feel free to doubt me. I probley would if somone else told me too. But this apperently is no big secret......Now for my tranny, I'm so excited, I'll anouce it as soon as possible.

 

If it's possible to get a good tranny shop to upgrade my VB, then I am going to start looking. I have called a few local tranny shops and they don't know anything about import transmissions. I also called Aamco ... they only rebuild transmissions to factory specifications. ONLY! So, that was a waste of time.

So, would any import tranny shop be able to upgrade my VB? And will they just go out and buy the Trans-Go? Or will they use springs from their inventory and do a custom job? I would figure most tranny shops wouldn't know where to start without having a Trans-Go kit in their hands.

 

See this is why you have to be carefull and for most mobile tek and level 10 may be the only option. Alot of places my not have a shop that can do it. Stay away from nation chain stores. Look for a shop that does racing application and high stress aplication transmissions. Might wanna ask you local good reg performance shop if they know of any. But be carefull don't just hand it over to anybody.

 

im pretty sure yo its okay even know how to do the vb mod by himself. just find me a good spot in ny to get this done!!