SSP AT Valve Body Upgrade
 

Who has done the Valve Body Upgrade on their AT from SSP Performance?
Any reviews?
Noticeable difference?
Did you go with Stage 1 or 2 and why?
How harsh is it driving on the street?

I'm leaning towards the stage 1 upgrade as I don't think I will ever really hit 5th gear on the track.

Anyone? :cheers:

Ordered - let me know if anyone is interested in anything with this product. I'll post my brief thoughts on service, product, install, and performance after installed.

I am interested! Subscribing.

Impressions were in the original thread...

Very interested...subbed

Valve body arrives tomorrow and I have the installation at Infamous scheduled for the 16th. I don't have a lift and frankly don't want an ATF shower when doing the install. I'll try to take pictures of the install to post.

Looking forward to it :)

Finally, in for updates!

I'm in too!

subbed

Quick shipment and quality packaging. Off to a good start...

Nice. Get that thing in there! Do they have the clutch packs for sale already?

Awesome. what did they say about the torque converter? need to upgrade those as well?

Not required. As I understand it, the torque converter requires more effort to drop the transmission (I think). Logic is if you do the torque converter you should do the valve body while you're at it but the valve body upgrade alone is less effort with great output.

Haven't heard an update on clutch pack availability...

About to post something up :) They are going to be released shortly.

The torque converter is more for a drag application, it allows you to brake launch at a higher RPM (but does create more heat, definitely need to do the cooler with it).

Advantage with the SSP cooler is that it comes with an external pump. This external pump takes away the overuse of the internal pump and greatly increasing the longevity of the transmission.

P.S. - I purchased my ValveBody from @Jason@DSG - nothing but great things to say. Fast and accurate communications and shipping at a good price. I recommend him for any SSP purchase considerations. Thanks Jason!

uuuugh depending on how much the clutch packs are going to be, it seems like doing it all at the same time is probably better..

Forgive my ignorance, but would any of these modifications, other than withstand more power, produce a faster/harder/sportier shift in any way?

I think the AT is great, but sometimes I wish it was just a tad closer to dual-clutch performance level.

I think the valve body replacement would do it, right? I mean, just take a look at their description =P

http://www.sspperformance.com/brz-fr...y-upgrade.html

Thank you!! I really appreciate that :) I was happy to help and looking forward to getting your feedback.

To pre-empt Jason, I'll post a link to his announcement that SSP upgraded clutch packs are for sale soon!!!

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75728

Install happens in 48 hours! I'm jazzed. What are the benefits of the upgraded clutch pack? I assume that requires transmission removal to install?

well??? Fun factor over 9000?

The clutch pack is literally just like the clutch on a regular car. The valve body will help somewhat, but if you want to hold torque with one upgrade; clutch pack all the way, stronger plate material will slip less and grab harder.

Valve Body is installed. I was initially disappointed with the outcome as the difference seemed negligible. The service manual calls for a reset of the TCM learning after a valve body replacement. I purchased a cable and the TechStream software from Amazon. I'll not go into the software details as there are other threads on that but I did find in the ECU program menu the place to reset the transmission computer data/learning. After driving it for a couple of days I now definitely feel a difference. The shifts can be very quick and crisp. Other times, however, the shift is fast and the RPMs drop to the new target instantly but there is a lag before the torque/power deliver continues. I think, sigh, that now I need the clutch-pack upgrade. I'm going to wait to jump on the GroupBuy or initial deal that Jason throws out there as long as it is within budget.

I took some videos to show the reprogram of the TCM and of shifting in action but I haven't had a chance to upload yet. Unfortunately I was pulled over taking the last video. He got me mainly because of my fast acceleration (I was within a reasonable margin of the speed limit). Fortunately it was a quick and painless warning with a "take it easy" :) Phew!

Which valve body stage did you get?

Stage 1. I figured I never get out of 4th gear on the track so I will keep 5 and 6 stock.

Bump for any more feedback!

I ordered the cooler kit, clutch plates and stage 2 VB upgrade (swapping for my stage 1). I should have the parts soon (I hope) and will give some feedback after the install.

Now all this begs the question"From a DD perspective, how does does it drive? Does it do snap neck gear changes or is it like stock gears but only quicker.
Hard to put into words, but I find that the gear changes between 1st & 2nd can actually "snap the neck" roughly at certain lower RPM's. I DD more than I autocross.


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Parts are on their way - I'll be out of town this week and my engine is still being rebuilt (hopefully done by Friday) so it'll most likely be next week for the install.

@nlowell could you update us on your experience? I am really interested in upgrading my AT to help preserve it in the future if/when I go FI.

Oil cooler and new valve body are installed. The oil cooler needed some minor adjustments to allow install with my intercooler but it wasn't that major.

Performance wise, the transmission stays cool - doesn't go much beyond 200 even when pushing pretty hard. Shifting, however, remains unreliable. At times it shifts very crisply. Other times, slow and sloppy. I haven't quite found the magic conditions for each.

I have not yet installed the clutch plates as I wanted to test the valvebody first. Still contemplating my next move...

Has anyone else installed the clutch plates yet?

Thanks for the update. Sounds like there is some secret sauce in the TCM that none of us can understand

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Any updates on this? Very interested in the valvebody upgrade, but still waiting to hear more feedback as people seem to be having mixed results.

Any updates regarding your trans upgrades and functioning?

Any updates? Considering the stage 2 for boost related shift lag but the shifts in stock form are at least consistent; the last thing I want on track is inconsistency.

@nlowell

How is the SSP stuff performing now?

please update us on this thread....