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Cutting Vacuum Lines on Tranny Means Firmer Shifts??


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Posted

Alright, all you tranny specialists, I got a question for you. Mfewtrail sent me a link to this Sheer Speed performance on the net, and they had a shift improver for the 4T60E. I asked if it would work on my 4T60 and what it consisted of and did. They replied today, saying it was for the 4T60E only. They said what the kit was, was a valve that limited the vacuum in the tranny, making the shifts firmer. They also told me that I could plug a certain vacuum line on the tranny, giving it no vacuum, and making the shifts really firm. They said they had done that, and driven it for "thousands of miles" and never had a problem. So, my question is, can do something similar to this for my 4T60 and will it hurt and/or shorten the life of the tranny? I want firmer shifts, especially the 1st-2nd shift, and I want to know what I can do besides a rebuild or anything major. Any info or input or speculation is greatly appreciated, thanks in advance guys

 

Robby

Posted

4T60 and 4T60E both use vacuum modulators. I'm curious as to how much that place charges for it, because it's $15-25 at Autozone or pep boys. It's just an adjustable modulator which, yes, cuts vacuum. You could plug the vacuum line, but it will shift and downshift really, really hard and crappy, not to mention how ghetto it is. With the adj modulator you can fine tune the shift feel according to what you prefer. I had set mine to firm, I just recently turned it down just a hair so the downshifts (while coming to a stop) is unnoticeable.

Posted

okay, good to know. Now, where would I plug this controller into firm up shifts? I knew completely plugging the line was really ghetto and I was not going to do that. They charge $45 for the part. Does any place other than Pep Boys have these, I know theres not one near my hometown and I dont think there is one up here at college. What would I ask for specifically?, and Adjustable modulator?? Thanks again,

 

Robby

Posted

I think "MaD" bought it for $15 at autozone, asking for an adjustable modulator for a '90 Camaro V6. Luckily my car had it installed before I bought it. Advance auto might have it, but I havent verified this

Posted

Thanks, did it really help that much? Like I said, my 1st to 2nd shift is not very crisp, at WOT. 2nd to 3rd at WOT is pretty good though. It will have instructions with it, right? Thanks

 

Robby

Posted

TRANSMISSION MODULATOR - AUTOMATIC for a

1990 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME

WITH 440-T4 TRANSMISSION (Change)

 

Item Part

No.

DEuTSCH MV303 $14.99

Posted

yeah it has an instruction booklet, also I had a tranny acting like yours, I turned the adj screw 3 revolutions clockwise (from the original setting, NOT from max counterclockwise!) and it firmed up 1-2. I then adjusted it 1/4 turn at a time and test drove until I got the trans acting like I wanted

Posted

Thanks found it at Autozone, the web says its $9.99. Thanks Brian.

 

Robby

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

Hey Brian, I went to Autozone today to check about the modulator and it showed a 90 Cutty Supreme have an adjustable modulator as a stock item. Now, my question is, where is my modulator and is it alread adjustable?

 

Robby

Posted

You shouldn't have an adjustable one, but it's easy to tell the difference. Remove your airbox, then look at the transmission, if you need help, follow the metal vacuum line that runs from the plenum down into that area. Will be a silver looking can if it's stock, or a small brass can if it's adjustable.

Posted

cool thanks, so if mine is not adjustable, I just replace the mine stock one with the new adjustable one?

 

Robby

Posted

Anybody have the shift improver from B&M? My friend had one on his truck it seemed really nice. It hooks in to the computer and does it's thing that way. I was going to get one but they were all on back order for like ever.

 

Laterz,

William Grimmer

 

This is the one I was thinking of.

http://www.bmracing.com/products/kits_shftplus/kits_plusImprover.html

But is this what you guys are talking about?

http://www.bmracing.com/products/kits_shftplus/kits_plus.html

Posted

No, see, me and Brian have the 4T60, not the 4T60E. Our 4T60s shifts are NOT controlled by the computer. They are controlled by engine vacuum. The part we are discussing is a vacuum modulator, that will limit the amount of vacuum that gets to the tranny, therefore making firmer shifts. The modulator we are describing has an adjustment screw on it that adjusts the vacuum. The trannies with a "E" after thier name are controlled by the computer. Our TH440T4/4T60 is not controlled by the computer, so that piece wont work on ours

 

Robby

Posted

Duh, just call me a dumbass. I hate dealing with vacuum anyhow. I haven't dealt with the 4T60 at all and don't mess with transmissions all that much anyhow. Never had an engine strong enough to tear one apart.....yet. Well there's a couple great parts for you guy that have the E trans.

 

Laterz,

William Grimmer

Posted

contrary to popular belief, the 4T60E Does still use a vacuum modulator. I heard of that B&M shift kit, they make something for the 4T60 but it essentially cuts the vacuum as well

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