7AT shift improvements - tune or Level10
 

Can any of you 7AT owners compare shift improvement with a tune versus Level10 valve body?

JTRAN in Houston wants 8 large to tune with Ecutek. I will get shift improvements and a bit more power from my catback but for ~$900 I can get the Level10 valve body upgrade.

Any feedback?
Thanks, all

Level 10 did my transmission (internals, valve body, torque converter) and they are awesome. If you're pushing more than bolt on power you need to have the TCU tuned to adjust for shift points and line pressure.

I think the tune would probably benefit you more at this point.

I've read that the tune raises line pressure for all shifting functions even where it's not needed but I get the benefit of optimizing performance of the catback.

The valve body upgrade fixes only what needs to be fixed. I'm taking a trip up the Right Coast anyway, I can easily stop off at Level10 to have them knock this off in one day.

My focus is primarily on the crappy shifting of the 7AT.

Sub'd for future use...:tup:

With just bolt-ons, go with the tune. I've been using EcuTek for a year-and-a-half, and it shifts quick and hard under heavy throttle, but is still smooth when driving normally. Especially in auto mode. Under WOT, the rear will kick out going in to 2nd, and I chirp 3rd. Additionally, EcuTek will give your tuner the ability to hijack the oil temp gauge so that you can use it to adjust the traction control.

Huh? Hi-jack oil temp gauge??? Please explain... I have considered going with ECUTECH over UPREV

Greetings from the other end of TN, Wonka!

Here's a link to EcuTek's website - EcuTek - Traction Control

Essentially, you use the cruise control switch to adjust the traction control and the oil temp gauge to view the setting. It's similar to the way you use the cruise control switch and the tach to change maps.

wish there was a rep from Level 10 on here to ask some questions to.

:iagree:

From what I've read, they've got really good customer service and are willing to answer any questions. Call 'em up and let us know what information they give you.

Level 10 TRANSMISSION

Sent them an email late Friday, I expect they won't answer until Monday.

Don't think they answer on memorial day!
I have been debating a level 10 trans upgrade my self.

D'oh! Forgot about the upcoming holiday. Tuesday, then.

You're better off calling. I emailed them once before and never got an answer.

yeah emailed several times because I work during the day....never ever have got a response.

If you have 7AT, Uprev is better and a little less pricier. I got my Z tuned at Dynosty with Uprev. EcuTek is good if your Z is Manual/Turbod cause of the extra options. As for our 7AT, with EcuTek, it won't be too much of a difference in number lol

Call Pat @ (973)-827-1000 ,,,he's very busy most of the times; but he will return your call & is very friendly on the phone.

I may need a bit more line pressure than what it's set at now; Since i've bolted on some parts & had a tune,,,shift's are delayed at times (leaving in "D") especially 2-3rd & 3-4th....i have factory 3.36:1 gearing-so i am geared for the long haul.
Shifting in manual mode,the car is quicker.

I already have a Level 10 transmission in my car and will be going to EcuTek from Uprev this week so will be able to report if there are any differences in the way the car shifts

Your shifts should already be quick and firm, needing no help from a line-pressure increase with Ecutek.

UM ECUTEK is better is you are a auto. I have ECUTEK my shifting is firmer than when I had UPREV plus ECUTEK offers throttle hijack, which always you to launch the car( NO HESITATION or bog of the line, allows you to hold the brake and gas at the same time) and or do a RWD burnout"heat the tires" WAY better 60FT times than uprev.

ECUTEK also has 100% control over the ignition timing, UPREV does not. WHP will be more and will be more consistant. I made 15 more WHP just switching software.

I'm on my second 370z , my first was with bolt ons and a Uprev map and the mapper tweaked the line pressures a little, with the stock 7at trans , the shifts were smooth and consistant but slightly firmer than stock

I bought this 370z with the level 10 trans , Stillen S/charger and Quaife already installed, I'm NOT a fan of the L10 gearbox at all ! I know its a neccesary evil with the Stillen kit but I find the shifts harsh and difficult to anticipate especially at lighter throttle loads when in drive (D) , when the roads are wet and the weather cold its can be treacherous , spinning up on each shift

When driving hard using the paddles the Level 10 trans is great, it shifts fast and hard

We do anticipate the shifting will be improved with the EcuTek, we dont expect any difference in the horsepower, but this car has spent a fair bit of time on our dyno so we have a lot of data

I'm really interested in your comparisons on the Uprev vs ECUTek.

I have a 479hp Stillen SC 7AT with Uprev tuning and I feel like the shifting is pretty amazing for an automatic. TBH I'm not even sure Church's in long beach did much to the 7AT when they tuned for the SC. In D it drives like a normal car, sometimes it hangs in 3rd or 4th a bit longer but no biggie. In M it slams into each gear like it thinks im drag racing.

I'd be interested to see if a different 7AT tune can do it better. Can i even mix and match tunings like that? Church's Uprev on my HP is amazing, gained 55whp over Stillen's SC tuning. Don't want to lose that. I obviously don't know much about tunes lol.

do you have an upgraded transmission or are you just running with the uprev tune?

I talked to level ten yesterday about the valve body, pretty nice people. I'm thinkin I want to do it. Do any of you have experience with removing it and refilling the ATF upon reinstall?

It's a pain in the butt! I made a pump out of a bug sprayer because you pump it in from the bottom. You add 3 bottles then start the car for 10 seconds, repeat that until you have 12 bottles in it ( it's over filled at this point), run the car unlit the trans is 180-200 degrees, remove the drain plug and it will self level, reinstall the plug and you can turn the car off.

Did you measure the temperature somehow? Also, did you have to get a new overflow plug? The tech manual says don't reuse it, so that's why i ask.

I reused the plug but I think it washer on it that we replaced. We used a temp gun on the bottom of the pan and opened it as soon as we got 180.


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Do you need to compensate for an oil cooler?

Not really, the trans cooler is tiny and it still self levels where the trans needs to be.


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Cool thanks! I've been agonizing over that one for a while.:rofl2: