Thread: Trans Issues after adding TEP VB, Input Shaft, and Chain....

Alright been working on this project on and off for a little bit. I will try to make it short to see if anyone had input and can help. I sold my GXP so need my gtp up and running so I dont go through GP withdrawal

I installed a TEP stage 2 VB, Dynotech Input Shaft, and 7/8ths 2.93 chain in to a 97 65eHD that is in my 2002 GTP. The trans has about 20k on a rebuild, Torque converter has less than 5k on it, Transgo Shift kit, and a Explorer trans cooler installed. The trans worked and shifted perfectly before I installed all this and the fluid was pink when drained before rebuild. All parts are Brand New.

Problem:
When put in D you need to rev it to 2500 RPM to get it to move, if you put in in 1, you get more power but still seems to slip. When you get up to about 20mph, it shifts and functions normally, Reverse works good. When put in drive, you never really feel it go into drive...the motor doesn't move like it does when put in Reverse. Also, the temps climb to 210 degrees after driving it for like 10 mins.

I have had it apart numerous times to try to fix this.
What I have done so far: With recommendations from Dave from TEP who has been great.
-Re-torqued VB and channel plate,
-Checked that check balls are in correct place (the first time one was missing my bad)
-Pulled accumulator to make sure shift kit was installed correctly
-Checked Forward band, it is intact and looks normal
-Checked wire harness
-Installed new AFL valve into channel plate
- Re-torqued again VB again 3 times
- Cleared pcm and left battery disconnected to clear TAPS
-Hooked up Aeroforce and trans was starting in 2nd gear and never shifted originally after 2nd time dropping cradle. (i think a messed check ball in the channel plate caused this but it functions normally now and starts in 1st as it is supposed to)

It seems to get better a little as it drives and learns, but something is not right as it feels like the trans does not catch.

Questions I have:
- In researching the 97 to 00 VB is different from a 01 to 02. as well as the check balls in the channel plate is different for the cooling check ball. It looks like i was sent a 02 VB as that is what Dave from TEP said it was. Is there any issues installing a 02 VB in a 97 trans with a 97 Channel plate? Dave said it does not matter?
- Am I missing something, I followed the instructions in the Trans Manual to the T,
- Gonna drop cradle again and pull side cover off. Was thinking of installing my old VB in to see if that changes anything??

Any input would be awesome.

Thanks in advance.

I think the next step might be putting a pressure gauge on it.

Where do you hook up a pressure gauge to the trans?

Originally Posted by timboku

Where do you hook up a pressure gauge to the trans?

There's a port on the top near the vent. Standard pipe thread, I think.

What kind of pressure gauge and what reading would I be looking for/at?

Should answer both questions:

without more info like Brandon already suggested that sounds a lot like a converter.... brandons got you down the right path though need to know more before you tear it apart again. also if them channel plates gaskets don't or are not sealing properly the fluid will bleed by and cause all sorts of goofy symptoms.... been there done that! twice actually.....

I mean... It's just a shot in the dark, but I'm leaning toward input piston.

1.)

Originally Posted by timboku

When put in D you need to rev it to 2500 RPM to get it to move

2.)

Originally Posted by timboku

if you put in in 1, you get more power

3.)

Originally Posted by timboku

It seems to get better a little as it drives

Start with a pressure check though.

Thanks for the input..will get a pressure gauge and look at that first....hope it's not converter same converter it had before with like 5k on it brand new...

For me it's a toss up... Would you rather replace an input piston/seal or a torque converter?

So no one around has a pressure gauge to rent that I have found, but I unplugged the Trans connector to make it go to max pressure, and it work pretty good in drive...I know it's in limp mode, but it moved in drive better than it has...gonna keep looking or order a pressure gauge and see what the readings are...I still feel that it's something in the valve body or its not compatible with my channel cover....all bolts were torqued and retorqued on the vb and channel cover.

Any local trans shops offer a free diagnosis?

I did not swap anything from the old vb to the new one....I still have the old one and I will email Dave to see his thoughts...but in researching there are changes or differences in 97 to 00 and 01 to 02...I also have checkballs in the channel plate being a 97 for the cooler lines....I'll see what Dave says and go from there..at this point I feel like just throwing my old vb on to see how it runs...

Did you install the VB, IS and chain with the trans still in the car? Like, through the wheel well?

No I had it outta the cat when I put it all in....been dropping cradle and pulling side cover off to do stuff now.

I emailed Dave so hoping he has some more insight on the manual valve length and checkballs.

Originally Posted by timboku

No I had it outta the cat when I put it all in....been dropping cradle and pulling side cover off to do stuff now.

Oh, okay. I was just wondering about the TCC o-ring on the IS. Sounds like you got it though.

Yeah new o ring installed on the IS.....Its something in the VB I think and looks like the manual valve has something to do with it. Gonna drop it again next week on day off. Get it down to about 30 mins now..lol. Trans pan drain plug best mod ever right now...lol