[WaLdo98]

My automatic transmission has gone out again. The first time, my second gear blew out. I was going to do a manuel tranny swap, but my dad had already taken my car to a shop for a new auto tranny. That was in April. Now, my car makes a very hard grinding noise in D, plus it does not move forward. I know my car has 171,xxx miles on it, but 2 bad trannys in one year is out of hand. Anyways, my dad is probably going to take my car to amcco (or however you spell it) to get it fix. I love Nissans, but I am seriously loosing faith in my car right now...

 

[dho]

Is it under warranty? If you are going to go with an Aamco tranny for $2000 spend just a little bit more on the Group Deal through Level 10 for the performance transmission! Trust me, You don't want to waste the money on the Aamco unless you're wanting stock power! (I've had experience with 8 tranny issues, 4 of which are through Aamco, just had to replace a converter last week. It was aocal shop's converter & went bad, I wish I had a Level 10 tranny!!.) With a 3,200 stall converter and one of those trannies w/ the usual bolt-ons, your 0-60mph would be down around 8 sec or less. (Mine did 0-60mph in 8.2sec w/o the full tranny, just a 3,200 stall.)

Spend $2800 on the Level 10 Tranny. Call sam @ Level 10. Install yourself.

If you are going to get this thing fixed, I really think you'll be replacing a converter. You may have broken some clutches or even a differential. In my case I broke the differential, clutches, converters, etc. Also, I don't know if you have or have not done this but do not **DO NOT** neutral drop your automatic!

I hope you can get things workin again. Sorry about all the auto problems, I feel your pain.

 

[WaLdo98]

Is it under warranty? If you are going to go with an Aamco tranny for $2000 spend just a little bit more on the Group Deal through Level 10 for the performance transmission! Trust me, You don't want to waste the money on the Aamco unless you're wanting stock power! (I've had experience with 8 tranny issues, 4 of which are through Aamco, just had to replace a converter last week. It was aocal shop's converter & went bad, I wish I had a Level 10 tranny!!.) With a 3,200 stall converter and one of those trannies w/ the usual bolt-ons, your 0-60mph would be down around 8 sec or less. (Mine did 0-60mph in 8.2sec w/o the full tranny, just a 3,200 stall.)

Spend $2800 on the Level 10 Tranny. Call sam @ Level 10. Install yourself.

If you are going to get this thing fixed, I really think you'll be replacing a converter. You may have broken some clutches or even a differential. In my case I broke the differential, clutches, converters, etc. Also, I don't know if you have or have not done this but do not **DO NOT** neutral drop your automatic!

I hope you can get things workin again. Sorry about all the auto problems, I feel your pain.

Well, my car is already at Aamco, my dad had the car towed there yesterday. They quoted me $1400 for a new auto tranny and installation, plus my dad is going to help pay for it. I would really like a performance auto tranny, but the fact that my B13 is my daily/project car is what kills me. I go to school and work, so that makes things even worst. If I had the extra car to spare, money and time on my hands, I probably would have gone thru Level 10 already. Also, my car has a lot of miles on it already (171,xxx miles), so I really don't want to put any more extra money into my B13 at the moment until I can get another car to work on. Now that you have mentioned it, I'm starting to believe that the torque converter went out instead of the entire auto tranny itself, hopefully. The reason why I think its the torque converter for that whenever I shift into any gear that requires power from the engine, the whole car starts to shake like its going to break down. However, when the car is in P or N, it idles perfectly normal. I am going to find out what exactly is the problem with my car and I will keep you updated on how it is going.

 

[dho]

Okay, in a way I'd hate to say it but for that money, it might have been better to swap for a manual if you were going to add more mods. Until there's NOS or Turbo on a stock auto, it won't be fast. I never was able to get under 10 sec 0-60 until I replaced the converter. Anyways, good luck and I'll be waitin for some updates.

 

[XtremE]

it is not nissan problems if your tranny went out first time at 160K miles...to tell u the truth that is pretty long
it went out the second time cause they did a crappy job rebuilding it, this happened to my friend in his 86 Z, the place that rebuild his transmission had to do it couple times cause whenever he got the car back it would blow after couple weeks
dude fight this shit cause u probably got warranty on your tranny

 

[WaLdo98]

update...it turns out it was not my auto tranny that was having problems, it was my axles. My front axles were broken (I don't know how) and so they just replaced them and now my car is working fine. Thanks for the opinions and advice given. Anyways, I seriously think that I am done with this car, to where the modding will end and the car will remain the way it is now.

 

[dho]

Glad to hear you do not have a tranny issue. I never had problems with axles. How much was the job compared to the $1400+ for the tranny? $400?

Maybe someday you'll find a really good deal on an SE-R or another car to work on as a project car.

 

[lighthouse]

With a 3,200 stall converter and one of those trannies w/ the usual bolt-ons, your 0-60mph would be down around 8 sec or less. (Mine did 0-60mph in 8.2sec w/o the full tranny, just a 3,200 stall.)

Wow...0-60mph in 8.2sec.

What is your timing like with the Level 10 tranny using a normal launch??

From my last timing, my B14 auto 1.6L manages slightly over 10s (with various bolt-on mods) using a stock tranny and normal launch method.

BTW: I never managed to find out what's the stock 0-60 timing for a GA16DE B14? Anyone care to enlighten me?? ;P

 

[dho]

My bad. I meant without the full transmission, I just had the level 10 converter. I imagine with the full transmission with all of the upgrades that it should take the 0-60mph down to 7.8-8.0. The things that may make the car faster in the acceleration is because of the upgraded clutches, pumps, hydrosystem, shift kit, etc. Those times may also vary due to different mods that you do to your car and also what you do for the track preparations.

I believe the stock 0-60mph times for the GA16DE B14 Auto is 13 seconds. What are your plans? NA or Turbo or NOS? You should plan that out first before you move on to upgrading the transmission. Make a game plan and stick with it. I strongly believe that you can make a 14 second automatic GA16DE naturally aspirated. The main thing to work on is the transmission with the proper stall converter and efficient cooling. The second thing is to get the motor worked on by someone like DPR that can customize your motor for the automatic. I'd include the modifications: JWT Cams, raised compression, rod bolts, JWT Ecu, etc.

P.S. Think about the motor work seriously. It'll make the second biggest acceleration gains. (1st, tranny - 2nd, motor - 3rd, boltons - 4th, lightening the chasis (stuff like door panels, etc.).

 

[lighthouse]

Here's my current ride on my B14 (auto). Note that some brands are only available in Asia I believe:

1) 4-2-1 extractor (cat-less)
2) Hotbits centre silencer
3) Hotbits rear muffler (staight-thru')
- note that I didn't increase the piping size at all;
- some still adamantly tell me that I should switch to a semi-flow muffler instead as a straight-thro' in an auto loses low-end torque..
4) 15" Enkei rims + Kumho 712s
5) Musashi Ignition Coil (unlike the MSD, it prolongs each spark ignition)
6) Hotbits front strut bar
7) Apexi ITC
8) Fields SFC
9) Ram-air intake (i.e. directed a pipe from air-filter box to fog-lamp cover; took out snorkel device)
10) NGK platinum spark plugs
11) JetRacing cables
12) FSE Power Booster Valve (PBV)
13) Vacuum Tank
14) ATF Cooler (mounted at bumper area)
15) Monroe Sensatrac (front shocks) + Reflex (rear shocks); Springs are stock;

That's about it.
- I've tried a cone-filter before + heatshielding all-round, but it became excessantly noisy.
- Also tried HAC coilovers, but ride was really too firm and hard; But cornering was amazing!!

Now, 0-60mph picks up between 10.1s. It could get better, as my SFC + ITC combo isn't refined to my car setup as yet (it took on settings from another B14 with slightly varying setup).

Upcoming project - thinking of installing an engine oil cooler;

I think a Tranny upgrade is the next logical step, but that will really blow my wallet man!!

Still, will a level 10 tranny really do wonders?? How about just switching to a Level 10 Torque Convertor?? Will there really be a significant acceleration improvement (if I'm only interested in launching normally)??

 

[dho]

Nice list of Mods. I would do the engine oil cooler after you do work to the motor. I don't believe that it is necessary when you are running a stock Motor with bolt-ons. Yes, I know that the tranny upgrade is a little pricey but the benefits and lonegevity are worth it.

"Still, will a level 10 tranny really do wonders?? How about just switching to a Level 10 Torque Convertor?? Will there really be a significant acceleration improvement (if I'm only interested in launching normally)??" Yes, I believe that the full transmission will provide an awesome amount of change in acceleration. You can ask Level 10 about the benefits of their transmission. The torque converter will be a great mod for a half-way mod. If you are on a budget and you know your tranny is in pretty good shape, I would do it. If you had major goals for your car and wanted the best bang for the buck, go with the full tranny. Remember that each time you want to change a converter or tranny, it cost money/time for 3 hours of labor. Add up the costs of pulling the tranny out & back in for a converter vs just swapping in a full transmission with everything done to it.

What are you asking about launching normally? Your stock stall speed is close to 2,000 rpm. If you floor it, that's what the rpm's will go to. The same is with a performance converter, for example, a 3,200 stall will allow you to floor it and the car will start off at 3,200 rpm (on a moded GA, it'll give close to 30+ hp than stock off the line, stock @ 2,000 rpm - 30hp / stalled @ 3,200 rpm - 60hp). The torque converter will give you extra throttle control for acceleration. (Torque with boltons on converters: stock @ 2000 rpm - 83 tq / stalled @ 3,200 rpm - 95 tq) You can still accelerate as slow as you want, accelerate moderately, or at a full 3,200 rpm launch.

I have spent many hours studying about auto transmissions in my own free time and I have the following thoughts about them (performance autos):

1) shift faster than humans
2) can be tweaked to hold the same if not more HP than manuals (pts auto for the 1.6L, 600hp, 500tq)
3) easier on the driver, especially in rush hour traffic
4) less expensive in the long run than keeping up a manual (clutches, fylwheels, master/slave cylinders, etc.)
5) better on the drag strip (if designed properly, if I remember correctly - Level 10 makes the tranny for Vinny Tins world's fastest supra) - no chance of miss-shifting

Going with a full performance transmission will give you assurance that if you take the car out to the track every weekend and ran a 100shot of NOS (not recommended unless motor is built) that your tranny won't die.

 

[lighthouse]

Thanks for the clarification.

Hmmm...a tranny mod could be worth considering - still, I may end up doing the engine oil cooler first anyway...

 

[dho]

That's cool! Good luck, and please tell your Nissan Friends and other guys about Level 10 (Sam). We need some extra support to keep those prices for the trannies.

We need to show Sam that we have interest in them. It would be a nice gesture to call Sam every once and a while and let him know we're interested in the trannies and let him I refered ya'll to him. He's a really cool guy. Also, try to talk to your domestic car friends about level ten and that I (dan) refered them. They might be able to get a break on the prices too.

Just so ya'll know, Level 10 made the tranny for the 9 Second Impala and some of those really fast supra's!

Maybe someday NPM could work with Level10 on a project SR20DET Auto or GA16DET Auto or SR20DE Auto or GA16DE Auto or 240SX Auto or 300ZX Auto or Altima Auto.

Have a great day!

 

[Guest]

tranny swap

I have a Nissan NX coupe with a GA16I engine and the original 4 speed manual tranny that I just trashed. What I need to know is can I swap the tranny to a 5 speed manual tranny and what kinda tranny can I use? What kinda mods can I do to this engine to make it faster?

 

[dho]

I am not sure what will bolt up correctly to that engine (GA16I). I am sure that some others may be of assistance to you.

Some GA16DE manual guys have swapped to the JDM GA16DE 5-Speed manuals. The JDM manuals helped them accelerate quicker because of the different gear ratios.

 

[Guest]

thanks for the info on the tranny but maybe a ga16de tranny will work or sr20de will any of these work on the car or even a e16i tranny hope to get some help on this before I drop the tranny oh before I forget does shifting with out the cluch hert the tranny a friend said it shouldn't. But who is to tell

 

[lighthouse]

Hi dho,

Just talked to Andre from Edge Converters. I think I may end up getting the TC from them instead, cos Level10 requires me to send in my unit (from Asia!!). That may be too costly.

Any experience in dealing with Edge Converters? What is the best TC setup you reckon (Street Edge, Mild Street Edge, etc) for the GA16DE B14 Sentra??

Also, I do hope that the Trannys on Asian and US versions are similar, although I don't believe there should be any difference....

 

[TigerScorpion]

My tranny went out a couple of months ago..just had motor and tranny mounts put on, the next day on the way to work I lost drive and overdrive. Took it to the tranny shop and was told tranny needed to be re-built ($1800-$2200). On the way home from the shop tranny started working again for a few minutes and then stopped again. Any ideas of what might be wrong? Any suggestions w/cost?

Bought an 02 gxe so 94 is now project/play toy!

 

[dho]

Hi dho,

Any experience in dealing with Edge Converters? What is the best TC setup you reckon (Street Edge, Mild Street Edge, etc) for the GA16DE B14 Sentra??

Also, I do hope that the Trannys on Asian and US versions are similar, although I don't believe there should be any difference....

I have not purchased from Andre @ Edge Converters, but over the past couple years, Andre and I have talked for many hours regarding the different GA16DE setups and different configurations. The best converter would be a 3,200 Mild Street Edge Converter. I assume that you are going Naturally Aspirated. If you are going turbo you may want a little bit of a lower stall (this is because with more hp/tq, the stall increases). When ordering your converter, tell Andre your planned configuration (NA, NOS, Turbo, etc) and estimated hp. To help Andre design the best converter configuration it is best to send him a dyno with an example of the powerband of the motor. For example, if you are going naturally aspirated, just tell him about the dyno on sentra.net's engine page and the modifications you plan to do. If you are going some other route, send him a dyno so he can customize the converter just right.

Regarding the difference between the US spec and Asian Spec, please refer to the transmission code or manuals. (I'm not sure if there is a difference. I have heard of imported GA16DE JDM 5-spd manuals getting bolted up to US spec GA16DE's.)

 

[dho]

My tranny went out a couple of months ago..just had motor and tranny mounts put on, the next day on the way to work I lost drive and overdrive. Took it to the tranny shop and was told tranny needed to be re-built ($1800-$2200). On the way home from the shop tranny started working again for a few minutes and then stopped again. Any ideas of what might be wrong? Any suggestions w/cost?

Bought an 02 gxe so 94 is now project/play toy!

What other symptoms have you noticed? Have you taken it for a test drive through D1 then D2 then Drive (w/o OD) and then Drive (w/ OD)? How does it shift? Before you even go rebuild your transmission, do some research on the Level 10 rebuild kit or the full transmission. If this B13 is going to be a project car, invest in a full performance transmission @ Level10 with our Group Deal for $2864. The transmission can hold up to 600hp and 500tq plus a lot of features like a throttle oriented shift kit, new bands & clutches, valvebody upgrade, super pump, etc. The other benefits of having the full transmission are reliability, one year warranty, and the assurance that you can add more and more power without having to worry about the tranny as the weakest link. As you look for options, consider a customized torque converter. I've talked to both Level 10 and Edge Racing Converters for converter applications on our Sentra's.