Auto Tranny upgrade!

[Lancer]

Finally got sick of the laggy driving and dropped off my baby at the tranny specialist (AAMCO).After a few hours I got a call at work from them that I need to come down and have a talk. Ah ohh!!Turns out not so bad. The owner, Bruce, that I talked to last week new that I wanted a shift kit/rebuild kit with performance clutches and to juice up the torque converter. Now after doing research on our auto tranny's, came out and told me that he wouldn't feel right doing some 'minor' modifications to my tranny knowing that it would fail again after a year or two. Then he said that from a engineer's point of view and a life long racer, that he believes that a bigger stronger tranny is what I need. So I guess I'm getting a XRS auto tranny and torque converter. Then he's going to build those up even more with a tunable shift kit. It makes more sense to use a tranny built for 180hp then to use a tranny built for a 130hp engine that's now pushing 210 at the crank (he thinks more like 230 but I really don't think so!). I asked about converting to a manual tranny. He's still looking for a used one.Now the bad news. You guessed it, How much $$$? Only $5g's. For that money I could have gotten a STAGE 2 TURBO kit! So yeah today I applied for a small loan to see if I can finance this. If not, then I might end up doing what I originally wanted or just get the stock XRS automatic tranny.Any other suggestions? I'm really wondering what kind of life the Level Ten TPS kit would last with my kind of driving? I know Turbo &Auto from the matrix forums just got that and he's pushing almost 300hp. I don't plan to get that much. Maby 250hp and call it quits.

[Merzbow]

Man a manual trans swap sounds like a tough and expensive operation. I want to see how you do on that if you go that route because I am totally pissed at myself for getting an automatic back in 2002. I would give anything for a stick now Good luck with that though!

[AKLGT]

so what happens with the s/c then? or i suppose you're just upgrading the tranny so you'd still be able to use that right? or are we talking full out engine/tranny swap? if so, then that s/c wouldn't work if i'm thinking right.

[Lancer]

No, the engine and s/c are staying, just swaping base tranny for XRS auto tranny + shift kit and TC tweeking. Not yet done with the s/c or engine yet;). Waiting to see how the hybrid s/c does. Should be worth another 5-8 psi! Mostly got to figure out where to relocate the alternator. Or I was thinking increasing the compression ratio just a tad, new cams and valve train, P&P head. There's lots of possibilities. But that's all a ways off. Right now I want to get past the tranny issue's.The auto to standard swap shouldn't be too bad. Bruce has done them before. The hardest part would be putting the clutch pedal in and hooking up the engine to the gearing. I was thinking, though, that in the long run it would be easier and cheaper to work and upgrade a standard tranny then an auto. If it's close in price as the bullet proof auto tranny, I'might go for the standard. Hehe, can you imagine, a 6 speed, supercharged Base Vibe! What a freak!!

[AKLGT]

ok, that's what i was trying to figure out... that would be very interesting...

[Mrizzle05]

so would you be the frakenstien of vibes!

[AKLGT]

FrankenVIBE!!!

[GMJAP]

Good luck on all that. Sounds like fun!I'm confused, though - I didn't think XRSs or GTs could be gotten with an auto. ??

[Lancer]

Only the XRS's did for the first year. Maybe the Voltz GT, too. But that I'm not sure. It would be more fun if I HAD the money for all of it. I only have half . When I think of all the stuff I could do with $5g's!! Damn, my eye's startin to twitch again!

[Petrucci914]

Why does he not think that upgrading the current tranny would last? Just because it's still not strong enough for the supercharger? I'd still like to beef mine up currently....... don't need an XRS tranny, though.

[AKLGT]

Quote, originally posted by GMJAP »Good luck on all that. Sounds like fun!I'm confused, though - I didn't think XRSs or GTs could be gotten with an auto. ??only the 03 XRS had an auto available. not the vibe GT nor any other year.and yes, $5K is a lot... i know i wouldn't have spent that on my vibe GT.... but that's why i bought the LGT instead, stock turbo'd with 250 hp/250 lb-ft tq. gutted the stock uppipe, midpipe, downpipe, throw on ECM with a protuned map and i'm sitting about 300+ hp/340 lb-ft tq for $800 total. imagine if i had $5K to spend on it??? I'd be doing this: PDXTuning Big Dog 442 whp LGT

[Altus]

Hey wait -- last I knew the auto transmission for Vibe/Matrix was the same Toyota unit across the board - XRS included. Same model number and everything -- something change I wasn't told about?

[AKLGT]

on TOPIC, discussing spending $5K to FIX the tranny on Lancer's base vibe, other options are available.... vibe or no vibeDEAL with it

[drunkenmaxx]

*edited*keep us extremely updated on the upgrade lancer! you are becoming quite the pioneer.

[AKLGT]

no comment....or it was edited....Lancer, keep us updated on what you end up doing.

[northvibe]

so the XRS auto tranny will fix no problem on a base 1zz? just wondering on how much more work it is to make it work. Because i can imaging how rough the SC is on the stock auto tranny.

[drunkenmaxx]

so, how many gears does the auto XRS tranny have anyway?

[damronjr]

Quote, originally posted by trdvibe »FrankenVIBE!!! So we're stealing other people's names now huh?!? As for the swap, does the 2zz tranny mate to the 1zz engine or will that require some modifications as well? I didn't realize you could do that, if so I would definitely be on the lookout for a XRS auto tranny once I have the $$$$! If it costs so much why not just go for the bullet-proof tranny like T&A is doing? Seems more logical to me.

[xssiv1]

For the kind of money your looking at why not do an engine tranny swap. change the whole thing for a few grand more? Then the mods can pour in.

[drunkenmaxx]

apparently, he really digs his vibe. if i were to win the lottery, i would totally keep mine and mod it to the full extent!however, for the kind of money going into this bad boy, he could have gotten one hell of a car, so that's a valid point.

[Lancer]

Quote, originally posted by damronjr » If it costs so much why not just go for the bullet-proof tranny like T&A is doing? Seems more logical to me.The guys @ AAMCO are STILL looking for a wiring harness that's needed so I've been doing non-stop thinking all night and day. The Level Ten TPS kit is still an option, however, your still gonna have the much weaker and angled gears to the drive shafts and other parts. Yes the clutches will last a while, but it doesn't upgrade the rest of the tranny. If anyone can find reliable proof that just the TPS shift kit and TC tweeking will last with lots of hard driving, nights at the track. I'd like to still do more to the car, engine wise. Please let me know. It is a lot cheaper. Quote, originally posted by silverawd26 »Lancer... I would part your car out and trade it in... Sell the parts and get yourself a different vehicle as $5,000 dollars is 25% of a new car. I'm on a mission from God. That would be a huge pain in the (removed) trying to sell everything, then put the car back to stock and selling it. I've put way too much time, money, sweat, and blood into this project to give up half way.Quote, originally posted by xssiv1 »For the kind of money your looking at why not do an engine tranny swap. change the whole thing for a few grand more? Then the mods can pour in. I BARELY have enough now to cover just the tranny swap w/o the upgrades. And swapping out everything (expecially on a Vibe) is a little more then a few thousand $. So, as of today I'm just planning on doing the basic XRS tranny swap. They are still having a hard time finding the wiring harness I need and GM want's $1100 just for that, new. So they are looking for a used one for cheaper. IF they cannot find one by next weekend, I'm going to just do the Level Ten TPS kit, like A&T and hope for the best. I'm trusting my tranny specialist. He's got a degree in engineering, he's been doing this stuff for over 20 yrs, he's a racer with his own team, and he's the owner of the 8 bay shop (that is immaculate by the way!).The second time I was ever in his shop he greeted me and remembered my name from a few days before. That goes a long way with me. And they call me and let me know of every little thing that comes up.

[Mrizzle05]

Good luck... i hope everything works out... cuz your car is amazing.

[AKLGT]

you are insane! lol. but good luck and let us know what ends up happening... you've got your hybrid... something or other!

[Lancer]

Quote, originally posted by Mrizzle05 »Good luck... i hope everything works out... cuz your car is amazing. I appreciate the props, man! I wouldn't go that far to say it's amazing. Just purdy cool! If I can get this car to hold it's own against WRX's (NON STi!), SRT-4's, and Chevy Cobalt SS S/c' (and not break down each month) then I would be amazed. I'm not too worried about the inside and ICE as I'm more into the speed and external looks. The windows are too dark to see inside anyway.

[AKLGT]

that would be unmodified WRX's. the modded rexes here, are faster than the STI's... they are crazy crazy fast!

[P-Fernandez]

Lancer your car is already freekin kwl... and i know you wont stop here .. so in bout 1 year i bet itll 'be twice as nice ( not the paint ).... heheh.. keep up the mods =D

[Lancer]

Little update. Good news / bad news.Good news is, the car's finally getting worked on after sitting at the shop for almost a week. Got a call today asking me ?'s about what stall speed I want, gear ratio, how much more I'm gonna modify the engine, type of tires and if I'm gonna lighten the car anymore. Stopped by and chatted for a bit. Sounds like it'll be all custom work and it will be a racing set up. It's going to be a programable/tunable tranny. Bad news. He failed to mention how much MORE it's now gonna cost. He first told me about $2800 to $3200. Now he's thinking higher $3k low to mid $4k. Mostly because of labor. I'm using a friends motorcycle for now since he's doing his 2 week trainning for the Army (brand new Buell Firebolt 9R!). So the tranny guy will have to hold my car another 2 weeks for me to come up with the extra cash.

[Mrizzle05]

ut oh!!! bad news... hope it all works out and it sounds pretty sweet. and will be pretty sweet when its done.

[AKLGT]

OW!

[northvibe]

so what did you decide on for upgrades to it or did you?

[Lancer]

Couldn't find a XRS auto tranny with the CPU, harnes, and axles all from one donor. So I'm getting the original tranny rebuilt with tunable shift kit, performance parts, and a custom torque converter. The guy building it is pretty excited about it. He hardly ever gets to have 'fun' with his work. Normally just basic 'el cheapo' repairs and tune-ups. Or it might be the load of cash he's gonna get when he's done?

[AKLGT]

maybe a little of both

[NascarXprt]

Quote, originally posted by trdvibe »maybe a little of both yea it might lean alittle more towards the $$ but hope everything works out.

[cknight725]

Quote, originally posted by Lancer »Couldn't find a XRS auto tranny with the CPU, harnes, and axles all from one donor. So I'm getting the original tranny rebuilt with tunable shift kit, performance parts, and a custom torque converter. I think this will be easily as good a solution. I don't buy that the one-year-only XRS auto tranny is any different from every other Vibe/Matrix tranny. As someone else posted -- same part numbers, yet there is a mystical difference -- Bravo Sierra!Should be a fun build Lancer! Be interested to hear how driving feels with upgrades -- in particular the wierd downshift behavior when going downhill and braking.