Automatic transmissions aren't something most enthusiasts readily repair or upgrade since most teardowns require advanced mechanical skill. However, some performance mods and upgrades for transmissions aren't as complicated as you might think. Truck Turbo & Transmission's torque converters are built to HD specs and feature internal modification for increased energy transfer to the transmission. The valvebody uses custom internal parts, which provide cleaner shifting and improved oiling to the different sections of the transmission. Billet valves inside the valvebody allow for altered oil flow rates and change the hydraulic apply pressure to the gear sections of the transmission.Truck Turbo & Transmission's torque converters are built to HD specs and feature internal After we put 150,000 miles on our project Grand Cherokee, its torque converter locked up, which gave us the opportunity to upgrade and install a new performance torque converter and valvebody with a shift kit. We contacted the guys at Truck Turbo & Transmission in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, and ordered a torque converter and a valvebody for the ZJ's 44RE transmission. The torque converter will provide better shifting, strength, and longevity and will hopefully help the fuel economy. The valvebody is the brains of the transmissions and will provide improved shifting performance over the factory transmission. We removed the transmission from the Jeep to install the valvebody and torque converter. After the transmission is separated from the engine the torque converter can easily be pulled from the bellhousing. The oil pan needs to be removed and the trans fully drained of all fluid. Then remove the shift levers, which will allow the valvebody to drop once it's unbolted.We removed the transmission from the Jeep to install the valvebody and torque converter. A We had the guys at Overkill Engineering in Nuevo, California, help us with the installation. With their knowledge of transmission rebuilds and repairs, we had the torque converter and valvebody in the tranny and back in the Jeep in one day. After a few test runs with the hopped-up transmission we noticed increased power and torque performance levels in the old Grand with quick and clean shifting through the transmissions gears. The valvebody is held in place by 10 bolts. Each bolt is a different size so it's a good idea to keep track of which bolt goes where! After the valvebody is lowered the internal manual linkage must be disconnected by removing an e-clip. After you remove the clip, carefully lower the body out of the transmission.The valvebody is held in place by 10 bolts. Each bolt is a different size so it's a good i The Grand's factory torque converter was cooked, the fluid was burnt, and the friction element on the lockup clutch had broken, delaminated, and separated from the apply piston. Without the friction element there is no 1:1 power transfer at any time, which causes loss of efficiency and higher-rpm wear. Once the lockup friction begins to deteriorate it enters the transmission fluid and clogs up the valvebody valves, causing shifting issues.The Grand's factory torque converter was cooked, the fluid was burnt, and the friction ele The converter's impellor, stator, turbine, piston, and cover are assembled and the stack height is checked to specifications. The internals use brazed fins and stronger bearings for strength and better performance. The turbine and impeller pieces are reinforced and strengthened to support the pressure of the transmission oil as they spin at high speeds. The stator redirects oil between these two pieces and is upgraded with a bearing that provides smoother rotation.The converter's impellor, stator, turbine, piston, and cover are assembled and the stack h The electrical wiring harness and solenoids need to be removed from the old valvebody and installed on the new one. The shift kit in the valvebody with a new separator plate and Viton check balls gives the transmission firmer shifting. Step-by-step, detailed instructions are included with each valvebody. The valvebody installations for the 44RE and 46RE are almost identical, and most other Dodge applications are similar. Ford and GM performance components are also available.The electrical wiring harness and solenoids need to be removed from the old valvebody and We are advocates of using good-quality fluids like Amsoil in our rigs. The torque converter should be filled with transmission fluid before it's installed. A completely empty transmission will hold about 18 quarts of fluid. At least 8 quarts should be added to the transmission before it is started.We are advocates of using good-quality fluids like Amsoil in our rigs. The torque converte While under the Jeep we noticed ceramic falling out of the tailpipe, which meant the catalytic converter had gone bad. MagnaFlow has direct replacements for just about any vehicle, so we replaced it with a high-flow catalytic converter and a quiet performance muffler. We welded both in place so they would last longer in tough trail conditions.While under the Jeep we noticed ceramic falling out of the tailpipe, which meant the catal By Kevin McNulty Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!
