What are the limitations of the factory automatic and manual transmissions? (7MGTE)

At what stage or rwhp range should I upgrade my factory tranny?


my goal is 500+rwhp...

http://www.cardomain.com/id/nycsupra

If you have a manual in good condition I would not worry about 500rwhp the auto will needs some upgrades

What do you mean turn down the boost!?

I have an Auto... I'm at about 300rwhp and about 15-15.5psi (1.1 bar) on my stock CT26 turbo. I think, I've MAXed out on the stock turbo and I'll have to upgrade it soon. But, I have no idea what to do... when it comes to the tranny. So, is it time to upgrade the tranny?



http://www.cardomain.com/id/nycsupra

Your stock turbo was maxed out around 12 psi.

The auto can handle a decent amount of power. Get a real tranny cooler. Overheating the fluid causes the breakdown which ruins the clutch packs, and sometimes overdrive.

What the hell happened to our tranzdude?

In Tressel we trust.

Tranzdude kind of hurt himself when a bench tipped over and a race prepped Powerglide whizzed past him and cut his wrist- severing a tendon. I found it diffecult to type with one left hand, so I decided to post only when it was absolutely required. Anyway, after about 300- 350 horsepower you need to consider trans upgrades. Also, a proper converter is key to optimizing performance with an automatic. Please- if any of you guys need info and you don't see me post, email me- i'm always happy to help, even if I'm to busy to visit the forum- john@importperformancetrans.com
-John

http://www.importperformancetrans.com

Yesterday I took an A340F oil pan off. That is an A340E with a transfer case on it instead of extension housing. Its an 01 4Runner. It came in for stalling and a check engine light. It felt like the torque converter was locked up. The DTC was P0770, which is the sl spool valve is stuck. That locks the converter. I took the pan off to check to see if the spool valve was being powered electrically when it isnt supposed to be, or gummed up. The pan was full of shrapnel. This was uglier than most. Pieces as big as 1/4 or to 3/8 inch in size. The metal caused the valve to stick. No converter made the truck stall.

The point is, this good Toyota trans is chewed to bits for no reason other than a machining defect, and you can have a failure without abuse. This is the same basic trans that is in your MA70.

In Tressel we trust.

What is causing you to say that the failure was caused by a machining defect? Could the excessive metal have been caused by a straight forward parts failure or blown up converter? I also know the direct drum in the transfer case is unreliable in some of these units.
-John

http://www.importperformancetrans.com

I didnt mean machining like grinding metal. In the manufacturing. The metal is just too soft. As you know, almost no metal used is natural element. Its almost all alloys, even aluminum.

The chunks of metal got into the valve, causing it to stick. There is probably metal in the converter too. I dont know yet. Toyota has to approve it. A new trans will cost them 3100. Retail is 3800, but that isnt what it was sold to the dealer for. Plus my labor. Labor is only 4.1 for R&R, which is shit. It can be done, but Toyota warranty pay time is just shit. Audi was very generous on the other end of the scale.

In Tressel we trust.

The 340H and it's relatives are an extremely time consuming affair to overhaul. It is essentially a Supra trans with an integral transfer case that is hydraulicly controled- it even has it's own little valve body and solenoids. From a performance standpoint they are definately workable, as they share all of the 340 style components. I have shipped out a couple of modified valve bodies to guys who have supercharged 4Runners. Some of these trucks are pretty quick, it's fun to have a SUV that will beat up on a Mustang or Camaro! I think that the unit that you are dealing with is the exception rather than the rule. They are really a pretty decent trans.
-John

http://www.importperformancetrans.com

quote:

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Originally posted by Nick M:
I didnt mean machining like grinding metal. In the manufacturing. The metal is just too soft. As you know, almost no metal used is natural element. Its almost all alloys, even aluminum.

The chunks of metal got into the valve, causing it to stick. There is probably metal in the converter too. I dont know yet. Toyota has to approve it. A new trans will cost them 3100. Retail is 3800, but that isnt what it was sold to the dealer for. Plus my labor. Labor is only 4.1 for R&R, which is shit. It can be done, but Toyota warranty pay time is just shit. Audi was very generous on the other end of the scale.

In Tressel we trust.

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Toyota doesn't let you repair transmissions? That is where I make most of my money working for Chevy and they are alot more stingy with the time than Toyota. Just installing a new trans never pays good.

I thought the auto trans could handle at least 400. God damn it! If I want my 400whp how much do I need to spend to upgrade my tranny (I need to take it to a shop, I'm not a mechanic to say the least)? What will I be getting? Any advice on differnt options, good brands, ect.?

I gotta say I don't think I trust any of the tranny shops in my area. I've got a stock auto and pushing over 400 rwhp, so I am going to need to do something. I figure I've got 3 choices...
1)Send mine to tranzdude's shop and spend $3,000 by the time the shipping is figured in,
2)Swap in a 5-spd for less than $1,000 with good ish, short shifter, good clutch, ect...
3)Swap in a GM tranny with o/d that I can get parts for cheap, and make all the power I want. I'm sure it will still be more expensive than the 5-spd swap, but I like not having to shift all the time. Plus, there is no lag between shifts with an auto, and it is more consistent.

quote:

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Originally posted by Jon B 90-T:
3)Swap in a GM tranny with o/d that I can get parts for cheap, and make all the power I want. I'm sure it will still be more expensive than the 5-spd swap, but I like not having to shift all the time. Plus, there is no lag between shifts with an auto, and it is more consistent.

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If you are referring to the 700R4/4L60E then do not waste your time. It has a design issue that limits output. The 4L80E is a bulletproof 4 spd auto but you pay for it in size, weight, and paracitic power loss. GM 3 speed transmissions (TH350/TH400) are excellent but you must sacrifice the overdrive.

If you want to keep the auto, build the A340 and put as many transmission coolers as you can fit on the car. I would go five speed though.

quote:

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If you are referring to the 700R4/4L60E then do not waste your time

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I try to tell people that.

It isnt worht Toyota's time to pay for a tear down and new internal parts. It has damage inside. They pay the factory work far less than what the shop charges to do the overhaul.

We do more overhauls than most places I think. Toyota doesnt have crate motors, only shortblocks.

In Tressel we trust.

Fine, I'm gunna have to swap my auto tranny for a manual one... So, where do I start? Where can I get a manual tranny?


Okay, I've also found these two tranny websites, know any more?

http://www.levelten.com/

http://www.importperformancetrans.com/

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http://www.cardomain.com/id/nycsupra

I would e-mail transdude about your A340 first. Import Preformace Transmission is his site. He may be able to build it to take your desired power level. He is close by in jersey. If your supra spends most of its time slugging thru NYC traffic then a 5spd with a heavy duty clutch would be no fun, even though I think it would be more reliable.

If you do decide to go manual you can find an R154 and related kit in a junkyard or on ebay.

From what I gathered from the site it's about $3000 to get the auto built well enough to handle much power, and another $1000 for a converter. Tack on another $300 to ship it there and back and it's over $4000 total. I'm starting to be alot more interested in a 5 spd myself. More relaible, more low end grunt, less lag off the line, and less dough...

And a huge drop in boost when you disengage that clutch. Auto doesnt do that. Auto also can be spooled at the line with a trans brake. I had the parts reciept, not the customers. I was going to run it through the scanner. The conveter was also a typical toyota ass raping. I lost it though.

Its nitrous you moron.

I found a 5-spd car for cheap. Looks like I'll just do that. Too tight on cash to spend that much on an auto right now.

quote:

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Originally posted by Nick M:
And a huge drop in boost when you disengage that clutch. Auto doesnt do that. Auto also can be spooled at the line with a trans brake. .

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where the he** do you get a trans brake for a A340!!!! I need to get one of those!!!