I got a question, I have an automatic transmition and I was wondering if there is a way to beef up my transmition so it can handle nitrous and turbo better.
Is there any upgraded torque converters, shift kits (all my friends have em in their v8s automatics, but i have no clue what they are) or any other upgrades for my transmition?

 

that is a good ? and i would like too know that too. I am a tranny noob. That is the one part of a car i will get completely lost in.

 

A "shift kit" for the older transmissions consists of a modified valve body (the hydraulc part that actually makes it shift, looks like a maze of little passages with a bunch of BBs in it). You usually install one to make it shift "harder". I had a Nova with a TH350 trans. in it, with a B&M shift kit installed; it barked the rear tires shifting into second. You could also adjust the "kickdown cable" and the vacuum modulator to control when it shifted (to some extent). These mods, combined with a high-stall (more RPM before it engages) torque converter were used to make an automatic accelerate more like a stickshift car.

I believe that with the computer controls this is no longer necessary. The computer takes over the modulation duties, and since it's "adaptive," it modifies shift firmness on-the-fly. So I doubt there's a shift kit for your car; you just don't need it.

A heavy-duty torque converter would make things stronger, but I don't know if anyone makes one. You'd have to search the aftermarket. If you find one, remember that a higher-stall converter means faster launches, but worse gas mileage. Auto tranny work is probably not a DIY project, so if you dig into it, find a mechanic you trust.

Hope this sheds a little light on things...Good luck!

 

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