Transmission upgrades are a little more complicated than they seem at first glance, and that is largely because they aren’t a single part upgrade. There are a few different things you could change up, and each has performance tiers, so your gains at the end of the process are not always easy to predict. The best thing to do is to understand the difference between a full replacement 700 r4 transmission and a partial upgrade like a clutch kit so you can better understand exactly what you need to get the improvements you’re aiming for.
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Check the Requirements
Some transmission replacements and upgrades are fully complete, others are just mostly complete. You won’t know for sure until you look into their full set of specs and requirements. For example, it’s really common for a new transmission to still require a separate torque converter upgrade, or at least a working torque converter already installed. If you’re upgrading for performance and not simply replacing a malfunctioning part, keeping a stock torque converter with a performance transmission unit may lead to less improvement in the overall performance than you expect.
Understand Power Ratings
Transmissions are matched to the engine by automotive designers because they transfer power, and that means they can be overwhelmed if they are not built to serve the engine you’re currently working with. That’s why a transmission upgrade is a vital part of an overall performance tuning package. If you add enough power to a car, you can exceed the rating of the stock transmission, making an upgrade necessary for more than just improved performance. Understanding when you need to step up to a higher rated model like a 1200hp Powerglide transmission is essential.
Picking Your Parts
If you’re wondering what to buy together when you upgrade your transmission, it’s a good idea to start with an engine building tool kit that can help you cross-reference compatibility and power ratings across a bunch of different performance parts. That way, you can get a look at your choices on the drawing board in a really concrete way. That will give you a better idea about whether you should upgrade additional components with the transmission, whether you need a torque converter, or even whether you can get what you want with individual upgrades to components like the flywheel.
What To Expect
Depending on your exact upgrade, you can generally count on a new transmission to make your vehicle more efficient and responsive. Even just refreshing your original transmission with a stock replacement can do that, since the parts lose efficiency over time due to wear. Performance upgrades also give you access to increased power, and sometimes you can even upgrade to a wider gearing profile, allowing you more control over the entire acceleration process on a manual.
The biggest thing to expect from an upgrade, though, is increased durability. A good performance transmission will be built to handle greater stresses than a stock model because its design anticipates the vehicle having other performance upgrades. That makes it more durable overall, which makes it a good standalone investment as well.
