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Precision Industries Vigilante Torque Converter Install and Test - Converting For Lower E.T.S - Pontiac Tech
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Conclusion
After installing a 3,200-rpm stall Vigilante torque converter, this '06 GTO took yet another leap forward from a performance standpoint. According to Bob Cook, "The car gained almost two-and-a-half-tenths in the eighth-mile and averaged over two-tenths even when the engine was heat soaked. The converted bests are a bit misleading since the baseline established at Ennis was done as part of the Texas Muscle Car Challenge Series and there was ample time for the engine and transmission to cool down before each pass. Nonetheless, with a prior best of 13.08 in the quarter-mile (uncorrected), the Goat should now easily achieve consistent 12.80s in the quarter. After reviewing the results, the 60-ft. times were significantly improved with a tenth-and-a-half increase. "As expected, once a performance torque converter was installed, the Mickey Thompson ET Street radials (HPP, Oct. '07, "Hookin' up a Goat (and a Bird) on a Budget") responded and hooked without any evidence of wheel spin. From a normal driving perspective, you really can't tell that there is a high-performance converter installed. Part-throttle acceleration and overdrive lock-up on the highway have been unaffected. Any additional heat that the higher-stall converter may generate has been more than compensated for with the addition of the transmission cooler and AMSOIL synthetic ATF." The Vigilante converter operates much like an OE unit until the throttle is mashed and it flashes higher, instantly propelling the LS2 engine into the power band. Although the Vigilante torque converter is not the cheapest performance modification out there, it's a very good bang-for-your-buck. If you're in the market to take your automatic-equipped late-model GTO or Firebird to the next level, consider giving Precision Industries a call and let them custom-build a converter for you in a flash!  After lowering the pan, the...  After lowering the pan, the gasket was carefully pulled off of the transmission case. Other than a minor amount of normal clutch residue on the pan magnet, the fluid was clean and fresh smelling. No visible metallic particles were observed that would indicate imminent failure.  Before removing the bellhousing,...  Before removing the bellhousing, a few minor items were attended to. The pan was reinstalled with a few bolts and the transmission TCM harness was unplugged, along with the remaining electrical connectors. A C-clip that retains the transmission lines was removed and they were pushed out of the way. Using the transmission jack with a safety tie-down ensured that the unit would stay stable when lowered.  A flex socket and a long extension...  A flex socket and a long extension are extremely helpful to remove four of the eight 13mm transmission-attaching bolts that are at the top of the bellhousing.  After verifying that all electrical...  After verifying that all electrical connectors were disconnected and that nothing would encumber the removal, technician Manuel Bejar wiggled the transmission back an inch or so, allowing him access to use a prybar to gently pry on the bellhousing in a back and forth motion until the two block-mounted dowel pins were cleared (one on each side of transmission at approximately 3 and 9 o'clock).  Once the transmission was...  Once the transmission was lowered, the torque converter was rotated counter-clockwise to disengage it from the trans-mission input shaft, then it was removed. Before inspecting the torque converter and emptying it to determine if any metallic shavings were evident, Manuel carefully inspected the input shaft of the transmission and the flexplate for chips or stress cracks. Since all of the components, including the fluid residing in the stock converter, looked fresh, the Vigilante converter was ready to take center stage.  The Vigilante is more colorful,...  The Vigilante is more colorful, but more importantly, measures in at 9.5 inches in diameter versus the stocker's 300mm diameter (11.8 inches).  Manuel wiped off the input...  Manuel wiped off the input shaft of the transmission and then poured a 1/2-quart of the AMSOIL ATF into the converter. After verifying that the lithium grease pre-applied by Precision Industries was liberally coating the converter hub, the unit was slipped onto the transmission shaft and then rotated clock-wise until it fully engaged (normally three audible clicks, as the converter rotates into position).  The transmission was then...  The transmission was then lifted back up. After ensuring that there were no burs or rust in the back of the crank, the greased nose of the converter was slid into it as the trans was moved forward, firmly engaging the dowel pins with the bellhousing as well. The bellhousing bolts were then reinstalled and torqued evenly to 37 lb-ft. After removing the trans jack, the converter lugs and flexplate bolt-holes were aligned and checked for 1/8- to 1/16-inch clearance between the flexplate and lug surfaces to ensure the converter was properly engaged with the crank and the transmission. The supplied bolts were liberally coated with Red Loctite, installed and torqued evenly to 44 lb-ft. All components previously removed, including the starter, exhaust, driveshaft and electrical connectors, were reinstalled with the exception of the front skid plate.  A Hayden Automotive Rapid-Cool...  A Hayden Automotive Rapid-Cool transmission cooler (PN 679, $119.06) features an advanced plate and fin design and 3/8-inch push-on fittings. It measures 3/4x11-3/8x11 inches and comes with a 3/8-inch hose, and all of the various fittings and installation notes. Although not mandatory, according to Vigilante, a trans-cooler, especially in the warmer regions of the country, will go a long way to ensure that the fluid stays cool.  To install the transmission...  To install the transmission cooler, the shield covering the lower front valance was removed via four push-pin-style GM fasteners. Once it was out, there was just enough access to begin determining where the transmission cooler would be mounted. Since the installation area is so tight, hobbyists may want to consider removing the front bumper cover.  In order to get sufficient...  In order to get sufficient space to mount the cooler, the factory power steering cooler lines were disconnected and the fluid was drained. After determining a mounting location, the supplied 3/8-inch lines were attached and the cooler was mounted against the radiator and retained with four of the push-through style fasteners.  Due to the hot climate of...  Due to the hot climate of Dallas, it was determined that the cooler would be run as a stand-alone instead of augmenting the radiator. To complete the installation, the trans' hard lines going into the radiator were cut using a tubing cutter. The rubber lines attached to the cooler were cut to length and routed to the hard lines. A small section of rubber hose was then used to form a closed loop on the radiator itself to seal it up.  Tie-wraps were utilized to...  Tie-wraps were utilized to keep the cooler lines out of the way before everything was buttoned up. Back at the trans, using a new GM pan gasket, the pan was reinstalled and the bolts torqued. One final check was made under the car. Grease and wax remover took care of any residual transmission fluid on the exhaust and underside.  AMSOIL Universal Synthetic...  AMSOIL Universal Synthetic ATF was sourced (Case-PN ATF01, $110.40 Quart-PN ATFQT $9.30) for this project. In addition to being a fully synthetic ATF that exceeds the GM Dexron III specifications, the fluid will resist thermal and oxidation degradation and ensure a cooler-running transmission. According to Ed Newman of AMSOIL, "with overdrive transmissions like the GM 4L65-E, we typically see significant transmission temperature drops and rate the fluid to 50,000 miles under extreme conditions." So confident were we in the AMSOIL ATF that the power steering cooler was filled with the fluid as well. After the final checks and some break-in miles, it was off to the dragstrip.
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AMSOIL
Superior
WI
7-15/-392-7101
Amsoil.com
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Real Performance Motorsports
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Precision Industries
105 Pierce Street
Oakland
TN
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