Automatic Transmission (AT) Information and Upgrade Thread

[wlfpck]

Updated to add some torque capacity information that I found. New information is listed under the general information section with their reference materials.

[Lonewolf]

Any new parts available for the auto tranny?

[Premium 615]

SSP has a few products for the BRZ/FRS on their site, link below.
http://sspperformance.shopgate.com/category/3539/all

[North_GA_FRS]

Just upgraded to the SSP clutch pack, Stg 2 vlv body, and torque converter. Car sees quite a bit of track time and started slipping in 3rd/4th (FI and E85); could have rebuilt/replaced the torque converter with OEM for less, but wanted to stick with the same manufacturer for everything. Unfortunately, I can't provide a review because I was off to France 2 days after everything was installed. Break-in should be complete prior to my next track day in mid December. Following the track day, I can provide a detailed review......assuming I remember.

[liquidsky44]

Originally Posted by North_GA_FRS

Just upgraded to the SSP clutch pack, Stg 2 vlv body, and torque converter. Car sees quite a bit of track time and started slipping in 3rd/4th (FI and E85); could have rebuilt/replaced the torque converter with OEM for less, but wanted to stick with the same manufacturer for everything. Unfortunately, I can't provide a review because I was off to France 2 days after everything was installed. Break-in should be complete prior to my next track day in mid December. Following the track day, I can provide a detailed review......assuming I remember.

May I know where did you get the SSP clutch pack from? Don't see it listed on their website. TIA

[North_GA_FRS]

I ordered the clutch pack through DSG Performance. The car has been great thus far but still haven't had it on track due to weather and travel schedule. First good thrashing will happen Mid March.

[North_GA_FRS]

First track day of the year last Sunday with the clutch packs, stg2 valve body, and torque converter from SSP. Since I hadn't had the car on track since last year, the first 3 sessions were just a shakedown and the last 3 sessions I pushed it pretty hard. My opinions, based on my first track day with everything installed.
-Torque converter; I don't see any benefit of the torque converter for track purposes, if you decide to go with SSP parts, skip the TQ converter and either have the stock one rebuilt, or buy a new OEM converter.
-Clutch packs; my car is only 360/280 so I don't expect to ever have issues with them; no problems with them during the track day.
-Stage 2 valve body; the car is going in soon to have another dyno tune and optimize what can be, for faster shifting. The car does seem to shift faster, although it won't be confused with a dual clutch or PDK, it's not nearly as fast. The biggest difference I've noticed is shifting at high RPM and boost; whereas I used to have to shift at 6500RPM to avoid bouncing off the rev limiter (yes, shifts were that slow after manual input) the car shifts almost immediately in the same RPM range.
-Stage1 vs. Stage 2 valve body for track use; although I have the stage 2 it's almost pointless in my case, as the only track I ever use 5th gear is Road Atlanta, and only for a short time. I haven't been to RA yet with the new setup but have shifted to 5th gear while pushing the car. I didn't notice a significant difference though, shifts are still labored at high RPM/boost when shifting to 5th. Hoping this changes after optimization, otherwise, the stage 2 really is pointless.

Currently debating final drive swap to 4.5 or 4.6; the only thing holding me back is having to shift to 5th more frequently and how tall it is.

[Steveiam]

Originally Posted by North_GA_FRS

First track day of the year last Sunday with the clutch packs, stg2 valve body, and torque converter from SSP. Since I hadn't had the car on track since last year, the first 3 sessions were just a shakedown and the last 3 sessions I pushed it pretty hard. My opinions, based on my first track day with everything installed.
-Torque converter; I don't see any benefit of the torque converter for track purposes, if you decide to go with SSP parts, skip the TQ converter and either have the stock one rebuilt, or buy a new OEM converter.
-Clutch packs; my car is only 360/280 so I don't expect to ever have issues with them; no problems with them during the track day.
-Stage 2 valve body; the car is going in soon to have another dyno tune and optimize what can be, for faster shifting. The car does seem to shift faster, although it won't be confused with a dual clutch or PDK, it's not nearly as fast. The biggest difference I've noticed is shifting at high RPM and boost; whereas I used to have to shift at 6500RPM to avoid bouncing off the rev limiter (yes, shifts were that slow after manual input) the car shifts almost immediately in the same RPM range.
-Stage1 vs. Stage 2 valve body for track use; although I have the stage 2 it's almost pointless in my case, as the only track I ever use 5th gear is Road Atlanta, and only for a short time. I haven't been to RA yet with the new setup but have shifted to 5th gear while pushing the car. I didn't notice a significant difference though, shifts are still labored at high RPM/boost when shifting to 5th. Hoping this changes after optimization, otherwise, the stage 2 really is pointless.

Currently debating final drive swap to 4.5 or 4.6; the only thing holding me back is having to shift to 5th more frequently and how tall it is.

How have the parts been holding up at that power range? Were you able to get your 5th gear smoothed out?

[86TOYO2k17]

Originally Posted by North_GA_FRS

Just upgraded to the SSP clutch pack, Stg 2 vlv body, and torque converter. Car sees quite a bit of track time and started slipping in 3rd/4th (FI and E85); could have rebuilt/replaced the torque converter with OEM for less, but wanted to stick with the same manufacturer for everything. Unfortunately, I can't provide a review because I was off to France 2 days after everything was installed. Break-in should be complete prior to my next track day in mid December. Following the track day, I can provide a detailed review......assuming I remember.

I am contemplating doing these. Currently only at about 285/225 so not really needed. Although the quicker shifts would be nice. NA i actually thought it was somewhat quick, manually shift and it would shift in under 200rpm, then boosted it changed to about 400rpm until tuner adjust some things and now it’s about 250rpm. Can only imagine with 100hp more how much worse it would be.

But anyways how much did it cost to get installed?

[North_GA_FRS]

Originally Posted by Steveiam

How have the parts been holding up at that power range? Were you able to get your 5th gear smoothed out?

The parts have been very reliable through at least 20 track days. no issues with clutch packs and shifts from 1st-4th are much quicker. Shift to 5th still sucks; if you don’t lift at high RPM/boost, the car will throw a slip code and disable ABS in the process. This happened to me 3 times yesterday at Road Atlanta. If you’re considering trans upgrades, just pony up for the clutch packs and stage 1 valve body if shift speed is important to you. Don’t bother with the stage 2, or the torque converter, unless you live life 1/4 mile at a time. The more time I spend with the torque converter, the more I want to remove and put the stock converter back in.

[North_GA_FRS]

Originally Posted by 86TOYO2k17

I am contemplating doing these. Currently only at about 285/225 so not really needed. Although the quicker shifts would be nice. NA i actually thought it was somewhat quick, manually shift and it would shift in under 200rpm, then boosted it changed to about 400rpm until tuner adjust some things and now it’s about 250rpm. Can only imagine with 100hp more how much worse it would be.

But anyways how much did it cost to get installed?

I paid $1200 to get everything installed but this was a buddy/cash price.

[86TOYO2k17]

Originally Posted by North_GA_FRS

The parts have been very reliable through at least 20 track days. no issues with clutch packs and shifts from 1st-4th are much quicker. Shift to 5th still sucks; if you don’t lift at high RPM/boost, the car will throw a slip code and disable ABS in the process. This happened to me 3 times yesterday at Road Atlanta. If you’re considering trans upgrades, just pony up for the clutch packs and stage 1 valve body if shift speed is important to you. Don’t bother with the stage 2, or the torque converter, unless you live life 1/4 mile at a time. The more time I spend with the torque converter, the more I want to remove and put the stock converter back in.

Why don't you like torque converter?

[North_GA_FRS]

Originally Posted by 86TOYO2k17

Why don't you like torque converter?

I don't like that it locks up almost 1k RMPs later. For the purpose of boosted daily driver, it often causes some hard shifting if between no boost and full boost, and for track purposes, locking up later has no benefit.

[North_GA_FRS]

Update...... third gear started slipping at Atlanta Motorsports Park this past weekend.