I am looking to do everything possible that is worth doing while the pan is down and the valve body is pulled (I am running the Tru-Cool 40K, so heat is not a problem, and I'm running both Sonnax billet servos and a 3K+ stall).

My thought is to start with the famous TransGo HD2 kit and add to it or improve it if possible, but not weaken it with other components (I do know that I won't be able to install the entire HD2 kit because there are components that must be installed in the deeper part of the transmission, but that is irrelevant here.).

Here is what I have decided to have installed thus far at a little over 40K on the odometer:

• Sonnax 2nd and 4th Super Hold servos with Sonnax chromemoly pin (already installed)
• Tru-Cool 40K cooler (already installed)
• Circle D 278mm 3000-3200 stall (already installed)
• TransGo HD2 with .500 boost valve & PWM Eliminator
• TransGo hardened separator plate
• Sonnax Torlon check *****
• Sonnax pinless forward accumulator piston
• Sonnax pinless 3-4 accumulator piston
• OEM aluminum 1-2 accumulator piston (the Sonnax pinless piston is not compatible with the HD2 kit in this location)
• Sonnax forward and reverse abuse valve bore plugs (2 in total)
• Drain plug (or a transmission pan with a working drain plug)
• OEM deep (replacement) filter

What are everyone's thoughts on the following? Would I be doing anything that is redundant with the HD2 kit or anything else above?

• White/purple/brown accumulator springs
• Separator plate hole size recommendation (remember I have a 3K-3200 stall with Sonnax billet servos)
• Zero or one spacer (remember I have a 3K-3200 stall with Sonnax billet servos)
• TransGo vacuum modulator kit
• Sonnax Accumulator Valve Train Assembly
• Sonnax Heavy Duty 2-3 Shift Valve
• Sonnax intermediate servo release check valve
• Superior 3-2 Downshift Valve Spring and Valve Stop
• Lubegard (black or red) with my synthetic blend Dexron VI
• WHAT ELSE can and should be added with the pan dropped and the valve body pulled?

Thanks in advance!

 

since this is the "family wagon"

drill the plate
1-2 smallest drill bit
2-3 and 3-4 holes to the 2nd largest

no washers

no vac mod

Summit makes a 2+ qt pan with the drain plug. It uses the stock s-10 filter, with no extensions.

Aluminum accumulator piston . . . not the stocker - this is not "pin less"

 

white, purple and brown springs? I'll have to go look at my transgo kit, i don't remember seeing any of those color springs in it???? maybe i just over looked.

 

here's the deep pan that I used.

Also, use the cork gasket that comes with the shift kit for the pan, there's no need for RTV on it either !

 

Don't use a cork gasket for the love of god. Those are waaay outdated, a fiber gasket will work wonders.

Ditch you second gear billet servo, it's just going to cause more harm than good. Replace it with an 093 corvette.

Install the HD-2 kit and leave out all the washers, drill the plate as recommended with .078-.082 for 2nd feed, and .093 for third feed.

I've never been a fan of any "snake oils", so I would say no on the lubgaurd. A vacuum modulator is not right for your setup either. The sonnax 2-3 shift valve causes some shift timing issues IMO. Setting up a trans that has stock internals vs. a well built one are two different ball games. The shifts can't shock the shell or sprag, or you'll just be pulling it out. Just my .02.

 

I notice that none of the aftermarket deep pans have the little "step" on the bottom of the pan that the factory ones do. I'd love one of those if it for sure works with both the factory y-pipe that I have now and with a ORY that I might get down the road if I switch to LTs.

TooTall, Are you running a factory y-pipe or larger ORY with that TCI deep pan?

 

Here is where I learned about those colored springs in the 1-2 and 3-4 accumulators: PATC.

 

I appreciate all the thoughtful replies so far. What I'm hearing consistently here is zero washers and conservative plate drilling.

I'm also hearing loud and clear that no vacuum modulation mod is necessary. It's a pretty popular mod on the sister site LS1tech.com, but I realize their applications are a bit different from ours.

OK, here is my final list of valve body upgrades to be installed with my already-installed Sonnax 2nd and 4th billet servos and chromemoly pin:

• TransGo HD2 with .500 boost valve & PWM Eliminator
• TransGo hardened separator plate
• Sonnax Torlon check *****
• Sonnax pinless forward accumulator piston
• Sonnax pinless 3-4 accumulator piston
• TransGo aluminum 1-2 accumulator piston
• Sonnax Heavy Duty 2-3 Shift Valve
• Sonnax forward and reverse abuse valve bore plugs (2 in total)
• New deep pan with drain plug and new fiber gasket
• OEM deep (replacement) filter

 

I ran that pan with my Pacesetter and the stock y-pipe
that's just like adding washers . . . just use the springs that come with the TransGo HD2 kit . . .

a few of the other valve parts are again already in the kit . . . down load the PDF from Transgo and double check.

 

I was curious how the install went, as I am going to do mine in soon? I ordered a kit from pro-built automatics, at www.700r4l60e.com and Dana custom modifies the trango kit for your vehicle and what you want it to do. I will be installing the kit on memorial day weekend. I already have a tru-cool 40,0000 pound cooler. I went with a new seperator plate, torlon check *****, new aluminum acumlator pistons, 1-2, 3-4 and the forward. Aslo the sonnax 2-3 overrun shift valve. Also adding the corvette servo, but if you look at his site is pretty much what you are doing, and he modifies the kit and doesn't use any washers in the accumulators as that is a bad thing. Also he adds a few other mods that he recommends and will help out with free tech support to anyone even if you don't buy from him. The only other thing I got was a case of valvoline type VI fluid and a bottle of lubegaurd platinum as it was recommended to me from a lot of people.