Changing Converter, Have few questions....

[C-B64]

Going to be puttin a torque converter in my car in the next couple of weeks, I got a TCI SSF 3500 with a 2.5str. I was wondering if you could give any pointers or anything. I will also be changing my Tranny Fluid, and afilter, do you all have any recommendations on fluid and filters? I know I am going with a synthetic blend, but what brand. Would you recommend buying royal purple or not?

Thanks, All help will be greatly appreciated.

[JandJsTA]

Here's the standard install write-up that's been around for awhile.... when I did mine I went with the Dexron III, to much controversy with syn for me :) The only issue I had was with the damn bolt that holds the dip stick rod in place... it bolts into the back of the passenger side head.... you will see it when it's time to put it back together ;) everything else went like clock work and it was my first attempt at a verter change...

http://modernmusclecars.net/articles/TCinstall/

[C-B64]

ok, Thanks man.......

[Broken041]

One thing that I would add. Not sure how many people do it, but I did this. I replaced the seal and the cage. Just to make sure. To me it was a little added insurance. Bought both parts at the GM garage.

Kim

[PC PaiN]

Use a swivel for the dipstick tube bolt. Get a big pry bar incase the trans is stuck on the pins. Also I don't recommend using a synthetic or a synthetic blend. Get yourself a good name brand regular tranny fluid

[C-B64]

Originally posted by BlackWS602
Use a swivel for the dipstick tube bolt. Get a big pry bar incase the trans is stuck on the pins. Also I don't recommend using a synthetic or a synthetic blend. Get yourself a good name brand regular tranny fluid

Ok thanks guys, what is wrong with synthetic, About everywhere i posted people have said just go with regular fluid, so i guess i will.....:D

[2REDGMC]

Originally posted by C-B64
Ok thanks guys, what is wrong with synthetic, About everywhere i posted people have said just go with regular fluid, so i guess i will.....:D

There is nothing wrong with a synthetic transmission fluid. The additives in a mineral base oil are the same in a synthetic. Synthetic oils dissapate heat better than mineral oils. Heat being the number 1 cause of automatic transmission failure. One might ask him self why would I not want to have my transmission run cooler?

[Schwa]

Having done a swap myself, I say it is WELL WORTH IT to pay someone to do the install. It only cost $250 to install a converter at a local shop here. If I were to change mine again, I would pony up the money.

That being said, get the car as high off the ground as you can, get a big ass pry bar to get the tranny off the motor, gear wrenches are wonderful friends, and the top dead center tranny bolt is impossible to get back in.

Oh, and the metal tranny cooler lines. A mechanic at the tranny shop had to help me get those back in. He said the way they do it is to install the c clip first, then clip the line in place. I kept blowing the lines out doing it the other way, but after I did it his way, they stayed in just fine.

[Schwa]

Originally posted by 2REDGMC
There is nothing wrong with a synthetic transmission fluid. The additives in a mineral base oil are the same in a synthetic. Synthetic oils dissapate heat better than mineral oils. Heat being the number 1 cause of automatic transmission failure. One might ask him self why would I not want to have my transmission run cooler?

The big debate about syn fluid is that some say it is too slick and causes the clutch packs to burn up.

GM recommends regular Dexron III fluid. They do not mention synthetic.

TCI recommends regular Dexron III fluid.

Knowing this information, I wouldn't use synthetic.

[C-B64]

Me and My brother are going to do the install, one of our buddies has a garage with a lift in it, he is going to let us use it for the install. He has a tranny jsck that will lift it all the way in the car. we are going to do this saturday. If my headers get here they may go in as well..........lol

[jmd]

Originally posted by BlackWS602
Use a swivel for the dipstick tube bolt. Get a big pry bar incase the trans is stuck on the pins. Also I don't recommend using a synthetic or a synthetic blend. Get yourself a good name brand regular tranny fluid

I've never had an A4 get stuck like the M6 gets stuck on bellhousing dowels, but rocking the tail of the trans left & right always frees them up pretty easily.

:werd: on the ATF.

[2REDGMC]

Originally posted by Schwa
The big debate about syn fluid is that some say it is too slick and causes the clutch packs to burn up.

GM recommends regular Dexron III fluid. They do not mention synthetic.

TCI recommends regular Dexron III fluid.

Knowing this information, I wouldn't use synthetic.

OK this is how it works.

The API sets the service classifications. In this case it's the Dexron III rating. If a company builds a fluid that meets the Dexron III rating then it's a Dexron III fluid reguardless if it is a synthetic, mineral or a blend. There is no way around it.

The myth about a synthetic oil being to slick is just that a myth. The synthetic base stock is not slicker than a mineral base stock. Synthetics have better flow than mineral oils because they have a uniform molecular structure. It's the additives that make oils what they are. In this case we have been talking about the Dexron III transmission fluid. Just so every one knows.
The additives that make up a dexron III fluid are the same in every dexron III fluid you see on the shelf at your parts store. They must be to be labled a Dexron III.

[C-B64]

Thanks guys, I alos need to know how long is the break in period on these converters? I have a TCI SSF 3500, i was thinking along the lines of 500 miles but not to sure, thanks.....

[jmd]

a torque converter is not a device that requires break-in

[C-B64]

awesome....:D

[Nagash01WS6]

Regarding the dipstick tube bolt....

You can get to it with a 4 foot extention from the end of the transmission. It requires a 15mm socket.

I would NOT fully remove the bolt... pull it out halfway to give it some slack... and it will come out without a problem. Dont forget to put the tube back in the trans when when reinstalling the transmission though or you will have to pull the trans back out regardless. Even removing the bolt all the way doesnt give enough play in the tube to get it in. I learned the hard way. Then again... I can have a trans out in 30 minutes. We spent about an hour messing with it before I yanked the trans out.

[chrismcdaniel]

I just installed my ssf 3500 yesterday, it took 4 hours, I am glad i did it my self, because i would have hated to have to pay 300 bucks for such an easy install. That being said there is a list of things that made the install very easy.
1. A lift
2. A tranny jack
3. air impact
4. 24 inches of 3/8 drive extension
5. 3/8 drive universal
as far as the dip stick tube and top bell housing bolt goes, just wait until you have the tourque arm and crossmember removed to allow the tail to drop down, with the 2 foot of extension, you can get to them with no problem, the same goes for reinstall, just do them before the crossmember goes in so the tail is down. Too Easy of an install to pay someone else to do. Have fun.

[C-B64]

Originally posted by chrismcdaniel
I just installed my ssf 3500 yesterday, it took 4 hours, I am glad i did it my self, because i would have hated to have to pay 300 bucks for such an easy install. That being said there is a list of things that made the install very easy.
1. A lift
2. A tranny jack
3. air impact
4. 24 inches of 3/8 drive extension
5. 3/8 drive universal
as far as the dip stick tube and top bell housing bolt goes, just wait until you have the tourque arm and crossmember removed to allow the tail to drop down, with the 2 foot of extension, you can get to them with no problem, the same goes for reinstall, just do them before the crossmember goes in so the tail is down. Too Easy of an install to pay someone else to do. Have fun.

Thanks, Thats what I figured. Thanks for the tips.......

[PC PaiN]

For the people wanting to know about the synthetic fluids.

It has long been said the synthetic fluids will allow the clutches to slip alittle more. The slipping results in heat build up. As we all know, heat is your worse enemy in the auto tranny world.

I personally change my tranny fluid all the time so synthetic fluids aren't worth my time even if all of the above were false.