Hey guys,

My friend just got a 96Z A4 and got a hypertech power programmer with it. The seller had already put the shift firmness option on and the tranny shifts and condition seem good as of now. But we were wondering what the consensus is on this if he should continue running the increased firmness or not. Will it damage the tranny and decrease life in the long run or is it good for the tranny to have the increased pressure? The car is going to see alot of street use.

Thanks,

Mike

 

The HPP raises the line pressure in the tranny which is not good on a regular basis. I have the programmer also and only alter the shift firmness at the track. If you and your friend like firmer shifts regularly than you're better off installing a shift kit.

 

Definately stay away from electronic "shift improvers". All they do is cause wear and tear on your tranny, as opposed to a real shift kit causes no damage...some would actually say it's "good" for your tranny

 

Someone please explain to me (not with "well, I heard that...") what the difference is between installing a mechanical shift kit and using an electronic shift improver? How is the mechanical kit achieving firm shifts, that differs from the electronic programmer increasing line pressure to achieve firm shifts?

If firm shifts are in fact "good" for the transmission, then what's the difference between achieving it mechanically or electronically?

TIA

FWIW, I've got a Hypertech, and have had the shift setting at 100% and like the firmer shifts, but I would obviously lean toward a mechanical kit if someone could explain and convince me why.

 

I 2nd that

 

I liked how my HPP3 shift firmness setting always chirped the tires for 1st to second under moderate throttle.

However after a year I needed my tranny rebuilt because it started slipping in 3rd gear.

I had a tranny shop put in a Transgo because they wouldn't warranty the tranny with a B&M shift kit.

The Transgo works well but only chirps the tires under hard acceleration. I tried the shift on firm with the HPP3 but didn't like how hard it went into gear from park or neutral.

I installed the B&M Shift Plus so I could turn the extra firmness on +1 or+2 and off without reflashing the computer.

Transmissions are designed to shift softly int gears for smoothness. The clutch pack gears engage as the shift takes place.

A mechanical shift kit alters these events by rerouting the fluid and engaging the clutches more quickly before the shift occurs.

Instead of shifting hard and chirping the tires my transgo feels like the shift is an almost split second 2 part operation.

I miss my tire chirping but not at the cost of another tranny rebuild.

If my tranny was to go again I would get a 4L65e.

 

anyone else got some Proof?

 

This may not help much but the electronic shift improvers go through the PCM to up the line pressure, its a band aid approach in my opinion.
A shift kit installed properly modifies the valve body and springs to achieve the same thing.
The difference is the shift kit supplies the hard parts and valve body mods needed to do the job right instead of forcing the stock parts to do a job they were not intended for.