I want to make the shifts in my A4 a little harder and faster. I have some thoughts of how to do it but dont know what way to go. I plan on having my computer tuned, and i could have them firm the shifts up that way, or I could install a shift kit, or i just saw the B&M electronic shift improver that you can adjust with a flip of the switch. What way is my best bet for the car. The goal is low 13's and the car is a daily driver. I will not have a new converter right away, but may by the summer. What are peoples reactions to all of the above methods to firm up the shifts, and what one is my best bet? At this point it does not matter what route i go, I would just want to know how people like what they have. Thanks alot. Any other ideas would be awesome, and what product (concerning the shift kit or electronic shift improver) is the better brand? Jon

 

Well, I think the stock calibration is pretty good for a stock (or nearly stock) motor and converter. The shifts are fairly firm under WOT, though they are pretty lazy at light load. You will gain a little perofrmance with faster shifts, but not much. Anyway, the TransGo seems to work well for the people I know who have used it. The jusry is out in my mind if tranny life is better, worse, or unchanged with the various shift improvement strategies. Spoeeding up the shifts seems to do more when a looser converter is installed. You may just want to wait until you get a converter.

Rich

 

Yeah I can understand that. I will be ordering a torque converter after the next round of modifications that will be happening over my winter break. My tranny seems sort of sluggish during shifting that was the only reason I wanted to firm them up, or maybe its because I got used to driving the Chevelle which shifts crazy fast. Thanks for the unput
Jon

 

Superior intermediate and OD servos, coupled with a boost valve will make it shift firmer and faster. These parts are commonly sold as a kit from some tranny shops. I'm kinda skiddish about firming up the shifts with stock clutches and 2-4 band though. If you really want firm, fast shifts and have it last longer, have it freshened up with new HD clutches, band, better servos, stiffer accumulator springs, and upgraded pump. It'll shift harder, quicker, and take a beating much longer than the stock junk will. I've never really beat on my automatic and it now has around 92k miles... but i can definitely tell the difference from when it had 60k miles. A little more sloppy and not as tight under high throttle conditions. Part throttle is about the same. And at this point, the last thing i'd try to do is make it tougher on those poor stock parts.

You can buy a raybestos master rebuild kit (with all the good clutches, seals, gaskets, etc), raybestos band, the superior servos, 13 vane pump with high output slide spring, and shift kit for less than $600 if you shop around. Then get a reputable builder in your area to install them. They could probably get you the parts cheaper, but then they'll add markup which might be higher than what you could buy the parts outright for. This is the route i'm going to take... but i'm gonna be a trooper and try the rebuild myself. I have the ATSG rebuild manual and video for the 4L60E and they're pretty descriptive, and i've been wrenching on cars for a good number of years, so we'll see how it goes.

And buy a cooler ASAP if you haven't already done so

JM2CW