Transmission Mods

I do alot of hauling with 20ft enclosed trailer with lots of hills. I am looking for some performance upgrade for the transmission. I have a 00 Silverado Z71 ext 4x4 5.3 with 3.73 gears 120,000 miles. Also I am looking into a trans cooler gauge. Any preferences? Is there a gauge cluster from another GM Truck that has a gauge and you dont have to do any hacking? What are some other options besides a trans upgrade.

I do alot of hauling with 20ft enclosed trailer with lots of hills. I am looking for some performance upgrade for the transmission. I have a 00 Silverado Z71 ext 4x4 5.3 with 3.73 gears 120,000 miles. Also I am looking into a trans cooler gauge. Any preferences? Is there a gauge cluster from another GM Truck that has a gauge and you dont have to do any hacking? What are some other options besides a trans upgrade.

You can get the gauge cluster out of an 01 hd silverado that has the trans temp. It's a simple take out and replace, and your truck is already wired up to make it fuctional. You can also go for the better looks of a similar year model escalade cluster. It, too, has the trans temp gauge.

You mainly need to get an aftermarket cooler. The stock cooler(if equipped) just isn't capable of doing the job with towing. I run a permacool cooler and have zero problems with it thus far. I would just go with that for the time being, because doing any other mods would probably do more harm than good with that many miles. A corvette servo would be the maximum I would do. Just start saving up for a built trans and when that would finally goes out, get you a stage 1 build and you'll be good to go.

You mainly need to get an aftermarket cooler. The stock cooler(if equipped) just isn't capable of doing the job with towing. I run a permacool cooler and have zero problems with it thus far. I would just go with that for the time being, because doing any other mods would probably do more harm than good with that many miles.


Slow,

2 Questions
1) What are the measurements of the cooler you have. I haven't measured mine but, my truck came with a trailering package (Brake Controller, Hitch, and what appears as a bigger cooler) I have no way of telling other than to look at it. Are you suggesting that the cooler should be changed from the factory one to an aftermarket one because the factory GM one isn't as efficient as some aftermarket ones or are aftermarket ones just bigger?


2) Do you know what the factory cooler size is?

I've had no problems with my tranny and I get it serviced regularly I just wanted to make sure I had an efficient cooler.

Cheers
Evan

The reaction sun shell in these transmissions is a point of failure. You may want to consider having this upgraded with an SPX/Filtran Beast shell. TCi also sells it. It's a $~50-60 investment that may save you thousands later on.

if I get a gauge cluster from a silverado,escalde with temp gauge will it need to be reprogrammed?

No.

I recently had my transmission redone.

$1800 -

Full rebuild
New torque converter
3-4 alto 9 pack clutch
high energy band
corvette servo
hardened sun shell
new force motor
new shift solenoids
valve body mods..

Best thing i have ever done. If i ever get a brand new truck.. first thing that is happening is.. its going in the shop for a transmission rebuild/upgrade. Dont think I could live with a stock transmission ever again..

Nice firm shifts. No shift lag.. No slipping... Passing Gear on the highway is just ridiculous. Just pure power.