Please let me know if you have noticed similar symtoms.

When I purchased my car, it shifted perfectly. (clean and crisp)There were no issues shifting. As I started modifying my car the shifts became slower or lazy. Finally on my last mod,(the ATI Procharger) my car became undrivable in full auto mode under full boost. In order for my car to shift gears, I had to drive in manual shift mode. Granted under normal driving situations it was capable of shifting but did not work at WOT.

Today I contacted Jon at Level 10. I ordered the hydrosystem mod. Basically you send in your valve body and they recalibrate it. This will provide, harder quicker shifts for 5AT Z owners that have modded their car or plan on doing so.

I will let you know the results as soon as my car is completed. The price is firm at $698 for the hydrosystem upgrade but if 5-10 others get it as well the price may drop.

For those that are interested, call and ask to speak with Jon as he is familiar with this car and our situation. Level 10's phone number is 973-827-1000.

Hopefully this post will help other 5AT owners.

 

hey i was wondering the same thing any results on the hydrosystem???? what did u send them again???

Ben

 

Don't you need to get a beefier torque converter for an automatic transmission when you add FI?

I've never had an automatic car, but I believe that will help you handle the added power. I'll also take a look in the FSM and see what adjustments Nissan recommends.

 

I had a high stall t/c in my WRX and it was a night/day difference...

***the sluggish shifting at WOT has nothing to do with the t/c...i'm pretty sure the modded valve body would be sufficient to cure the problem***

 

Correct, the T/C does nothing to help the shifting. I have yet to do the valve body upgrade. However it is supposed to eliminate the shifting issue.
The T/C will help the car right from the stop. In this car it may shave .5 off my 1/4.

 

So the t/c will only help from a dead stop? does it help in any other aspect? Sorry for the ignorance, but im interested in one.

 

I have not experience any shifting problems at WOT but realize that the shifts need to be a lot firmer. I drove the car hard when I first bought it in manual and regular mode to get the computer to learn a driving habit. This helped some but the 5AT needs help with the launch and shifts. I am hoping that the TS flash would help firm up the shifts but I the the valve body mod would still be needed. I am looking to FI the Z so all you 5AT guys with FI let me knoww how the tranny holds up. Thanks!!


04 5AT Touring
Crawford - Plenum, headers, cats
Borla TD
K&N

Future Mods - My little secret!!!

 

let me know when u get the valve body upgrade done.....thanks

Ben

 

I'm anxious to see the results as well.

 

how much is it to get your valve body done?

 

I would be careful with level 10. I had my toyota done and it started at $698 and by the time i was done I spent around a $1000. I have also herd alot of things about level 10 since I did my truck and most were not good. I also have a 5AT with a vortech. I found this guy through a import mag that modifies autos and said he would work with me and mod my valve body. I haven't had time to go and see him. Maybe next week. Price was around $400-$500.

 

As the first Z/G member to have Level 10 work on their tranny, I can tell you that they held the $698 firm. So far ( it's been 3 months ) the recalibration's been worth it. The WOT shifts R quicker & firmer while remaining undistinguishable from stock if I'm not getting on it. They WON'T snap your head back like the old B&M kits of old ( darn it!! ) but it's definitely more firm than before. I also had the T/C restalled for 2800 rpms & beefed up for future needs ( F/I or nitrous ). It took several days for all the air to work out of the system but now it stalls @ 2800 & flash stalls @ 2900+. It is looser but drivability has, IMO, improved because the slippage allow the V-6 to get into it's powerband that much quicker. It HAS cost me about 1 mpg but made up for that with "smiles per gallon!"
Gurgen ( & DaveO, I think ) had their T/C's restalled by Edge Racing & they have similar success stories. The T/C has probably made about a .25 - .3 improvement on my quartermile times. We'll see what she does when the local track opens back up in February.

 

Gene,

I've had my Edge Racing Street Edge Torque Converter installed since 11/20/03 and I'm happy to say it's working quite well.

My TC mod goals were somewhat different than some other folks.

1 - Increased "roll on" power.
2 - Improved efficiency and lock up.
3 - Improved off-the-line torque multiplication. (I was not interested in an increased stall speed.)
4 - Increased durability for future mods.
5 - And the real kicker, minimal inpact on day-to-day drivability.

I'm pleased to say that Andre met my goals. The "roll on" power, efficiency and torque multiplication has improved. The only real noticable effect is the power in reverse gear has dropped off. And if you really concentrate, you may notice a few more rpms during light acceleration due to the increased 2600 rpm stall speed.

IMO, to achieve the full potential of the modified TC, the transmission needs some help. I wish someone would develop a TCM (transmission control module) program upgrade. However, since this doesn't look promising in the near future, a valve body modification may be next on my list of mods.


DaveO

 

You have to drop the pan and mess with highly static components to remove the VB and then when you get it back I am told the holes don't line up correctly (13 bolts I believe) and you have to reinstall it. The figure being quoted does not include the hardest part, removing and then reinstalling the VB around static electriciity with improper bolt alignment or a restalled Verter, if I was in their I would do oth at the same time while the car was down.

My car shifts fine it sounds like I got lucky, I needed a break.

I want the Verter and I am on the fence on this mod because of all that is involved and the possibility of ZAP!

Especially if they are saying the tranny can't handle the HP because I have been putting 10-11 PSI to mine w/o any problems.

Kudo's to you WD though for taking one for us I want to hear your results and see pics of what is involved and lastly what the expected down time is from time of removal and shipment to back on the road. Thanks for pioneering into unchartered territory! People like you make the world go round.

Let us know, did you pull out your VB yet and send it in?

 

Sorry guys. My car is still in St. Louis. I called back in December for MC Racing to install this but they said I would need to wait until the begining of the year. I also considered selling my car in the mean time.

Well I have finally come to my senses and will continue moding this car. Sorry for the delay. As soon as this has been performed I will do a full review. I would estimate this taking place in the next month only because I am looking at two weeks (at least) of down time. The car has to be driven t Kansas City.

 

12Sec & others - The Level 10 part of my mods took 5 working days. I red-labeled the T/C & V/B ( yes, I did as 12Sec advises & did both at the same time ) on a Tuesday & had it back at the shop on the following Monday ( 1 day there; 2 @ Level 10 & red-labeled back ). I just stockpiled my other parts & installed everything else while the tranny was down ( Borla headers; Crawford plenum; AEM intake & tranny cooler ) to minimize downtime. If Level 10's tech's R backed up then figure on an extra day or 2.
Dave - Cracking the tranny ECU codes must be difficult on an import. Swift Racing has been working on one for the Lexus GS400 for over 2 years & it's still in R&D the last time I inquired about it.

 

instead of sending stuff to level ten i send my stuff to www.protorque.com whom many belive do all the t/c work for level 10 to begin with

 

WtoZ - Wow! I've heard that Precision Industries does the work for Level 10!! That came from a Lexus performance shop who sells the PI "dragon" convertor but I can't confirm it. BTW - PI doesn't have a T/C for our trannies yet.
Kinda scary that Level 10 doesn't do it's own work. Wonder if they do the R&D??
I've dealt with ProTorque & they do excellent work. I like the fact that they'll custom design & build a T/C around the specs U give them.

 

I told you guys Level 10 is a little shaddy.

 

We've all seen the Sopranos', we know what these jersey people are really like...