Here's a different thought re: torque converters. This is my first post, prompted by the inquiries on this thread.

I went to a local (SF east Bay Area) transmisssion shop that happened to have a guy who really knew his TC's. In fact he knew the folks at Precision Industries pretty well. For $250, he modified mine for stall speed, and also reinforced it via TIG welding to "near-Dragon" specs - it's not as light and not as over-engineered. He said the factory TC is a very well made furnace-brazed device, well-suited for modification. So besides the cost savings compared to an after-market TC, there are numerous implications:
1. Gotta trust the folks doing the work, and make sure they stand by it.
2. Manu's warranty is certainly affected, but the original(though tweaked) TC is less obvious than the Dragon.
3. The shop highly recommends a cooler.

So I'm satisfied with the results, particularly combined with the Swift HFI/ECU. My TC guy has since left the shop, so this particular avenue is gone. But any speed shop or good trans shop should be able to locate similar resources.

Have fun!

 

An old thread I see but has anything changed since? I have a 2001 GS430 and was thinking of a torque converter? Can anyone tell me what improvements they noticed and is SRT still the place to shop price?

 

SRT? They just resell the Precision Industries one I believe. Steve from Carson can get you a good price on that one (which I have).

 

What is your experience with the new T/C? Carson Toyota you say?

 

Tons of posts on here about the TC. Many have said it's the best mod. It definitely improves immediate response off the line and in passing situations. The car just feels quicker overall. I got a second transmission oil cooler installed as well, as insurance to make sure the oil keeps cool (trannies are EXPENSIVE to fix/replace).

Another nice benefit is that because the rpms are a bit higher in many situations (not all), the 'drone' my L-Tuned exhaust has around 1900 rpm is rarely heard now.

And yes, Carson Toyoto, Steve Ganz, the man, can get it for you. gonzo4u@earthlink.net.

 

bitkahuna

Thanks I just emailed him for a price with the tranny cooler

Will my GS drive a smooth as before for normal driving?

When driving hard will it shift the same as usual?

Has any done any before and after track times with this mod?

Thanks for the info

 

The car drives exactly as it did before the install, except faster out of the hole when you step on it. Shifting is done thru the VB in the tranny, so it is not affected at all.

I have done before and after runs. 15.0@95mph before, 14.5@97-98mph after. Night to day difference. I'm giving you times off the top of my head, but I posted the results a few months back. Try using the search and you will find my exact times. Bottomline is that this mod is one that is both expensive, but very noticeable right out of the box IMO.

 

BTW, bit didn't get his cooler from Steve. He got the TC from Steve and the tranny cooler from Pearl (CL member). Last I spoke to him, since I'm in line for one, is that he was developing a slightly different one than the one bit and everyone else has which is based off a B&M racing cooler. Bit's looks very good and very factory in the black color. Pearl makes custom hard lines with his kit, specifically done for GS's.

Do a quick search and you will find both my time thread and Pearls thread with pics.

 

So you have two (2) tranny coolers installed on your car now? Can you post some pics please? Does the tranny get really hot that you felt it necessary to get two coolers? How much did you pay for your TC and tranny coolers?

 

Thanks

 

There is no "stock" auxiliary trans cooler on the GS. However, the tranny fluid is routed through the radiator for cooling purposes (stock as w/many automotive applications)

There is at least one member that did not add an auxiliary tranny cooler with the PI TC and has not experienced any problems. Given the relatively low stall (2800rpms) and design of the PI TC, I doubt an auxiliary trans cooler is necessary unless you are going to frequently drag race the car.

Those of us that have installed an auxiliary trans cooler usually add it in "series" as the trans fluid exits the radiator. For $45 and an hour DIY install time, I think the auxiliary cooler is a great bang-for-the-buck insurance for the tranny.

 

I have the PI TC from the last Carson group buy. Coupled with the LSD, IMO simply the best performance mods short of forced induction.

As several mentioned, the tranny cooler kits are inexpensive insurance if nothing else. And they look good. I purchased the B&M tranny cooler kit from Pearl, too. Very nice kit, well assembled and clear instructions. But I ended up installing the cooler in a slightly different location, low front and center of the radiator where I think it gets better air flow.

 

Ditto on the performance talk

Hameed, try a Search; there are several install pics, including a few from yours truly.

My PC Cooler Install Page

 

I just got a price from Steve for the TC and ouch! This is one of those mods that have to be saved up for.....

 

Ya gotta pay to play.