I've read all of the threads related to the valve body choices, but I still have a few questions. Stillen told me that their VB upgrade does not make a difference if you're driving in manumatic... is this true? Does anyone have any experience with this. The guy at Stillen said it would still slip a little in manumatic. On the other hand, SGP says that their VB upgrade works really well with manumatic??? I live really close to Stillen, and they said I could get the VB done in a few hours. Stillen would be much more convenient, but I don't want to be sorry later. Please help.

 

I would not have Stillen do a oil change lol. I feel this way from past problems, but if you want the best upgrade go with SGP'S.

 

Thanks for the reply. Do you happen to know the specific difference between the Stillen and SGP VB upgrade? I always drive in manumatic and don't want any slipping. I have been hearing a lot of bad things about Stillen.

 

the upgrade should not make your tranny slip in manual mode. I've heard good stuff about level 10. They've been around for awhile. Stillen sounds shady and incompetent to me.

 

Do you know anyone who has done the Stillen VB with FI and 5at? I have an APS TT kit ready for installation. I'd like to get the VB done before tuning.

 

The pics of your car are sweet!!!

 

who's? mine? if so, thanks. I've heard street image does good work. you also may want to talk to the guys at sp engineering. I've read in magazines about them and they even install mods for lamborghinis. Very cool dudes. I don't know any tranny specialists, though.

edit: wait.. maybe you were looking for members who's got it done. I've read about 2 people who's got them done. They weren't happy as they thought they would be, from what I remember. maybe some will chime in, when they read this thread.

 

Our VB upgrade works even better in manual mode. The general opinion in the 350Z performance community, is that the Stillen VB upgrade is complete junk.

I'd stick with our ForgedInternals VB upgrade, or the SGP upgrade. Both are nearly identical in terms of performance and operation. I consider a VB upgrade manditory for FI on the VQ35 5AT's. http://www.forgedinternals.com/store...cat=261&page=1

 

I'm going to have to call bull**** on that one! I have installed 5 Stillen VB, and they are great! Take a look on the G forums.
I think it’s VERY unprofessional to try to make your own product look better by talking **** about other peoples products!

 

Do some searching on this board, and you will share my opinion. Speak to Gurgen...he is one of the experts on 5AT VB upgrades and FI.

Not mentioned, that Stillen themselves, according to this poster, said the VB does not work as well in Manual mode. Ours chirps in gears 1-3 in either manual or auto mode.

I'll leave it at that.

 

Dont go with Level 10 I had to send mine to SGP to get redone, because Level 10 cracked my valve body plate by drilling it out to much. So after the crack the dam thing was not holding fluid correctly. No problem anymore because SGP fixed it while redoing Level 10s crap.

 

I have to back sharif on this one. I haven't read much good posts about stillen vb. For them to say the tranny will slip in manual mode and it won't work well in manual sounds like nonsense to me. But I think it's cool that you're happy with yours.

 

I have heard many people complain about Stillen VB, saying its not worth it
I have never heard a complaint about Sharif and his business, only good things! Sharif I have been in the market for a valve body upgrade and if you feel that strongly about yours, I'll go with you. I have been waiting for an agressive one to come out! I was gonna go with SPG also but was holding out because it seems the market is growing and more and more companies are working on thier solution, even APS had a thread a while ago.


Jerry

 

I'm going to go with Sharif.

 

costs with sharifs vs sgp? is the removal of the valve body a diy?

the only thing stopping me now is paying another $500 in labor like i did when i had a dealership take out and replace the torque converter.

one more thing. i really really like the idea of being able to chirp the tires shifting into 2nd. would this be possible with a non FI automatic?

 

The labor is about 2 hours total from what I hear. Corner 3 in California is going to charge me $100, so I'm sure you can find someone out there who is a little more reasonable.

 

Correction: The guy from Stillen called me back today and said that the tranny does not slip in manumatic. Apparently he was mistaken when he told me that. He also said that the shifts occur in approx 1/2 second, which is conservative compared to more agressive vb upgrades.

 

Labor is typically 3 hours in and out. Removal is 1 hr, and putting it back in is 2 hours.

 

I did and it SUCKS (Stillen)!!!!!!!!!

Cesar
350ZR APS TT