lets a make an upgrade idea list for noobs like me...

[Styluss]

Well then, I had better get on it!

[Z26_T]

Check for LIM gasket leak. If it does (which it likely will...)

I think every beretta should have a 3500 preferably, 3400 at a minimum. Unless its already a quad

Pull the 2.8-3100 and replace with 3400 hybrid or bigger. (94-95) OBD2 swap or (89-93) have chip burned. OBD2 swap is surprisingly fast (once you excavate all the damn rubber coat on the bulkhead connectors...)

[3X00-Modified]

It sure would be nice to get more info on how they kill a trans.

Old high mileage trans and then you firm up the shifts and make it shift hard and fast... That's a quick way to take a high mileage slipped/worn clutch and burn it to hell. If it's a fresh rebuild its a different story but with years of 4sec 1-2 shifts the clutches are on their way out and now your expecting them to be do performance shifts. Come on, its common sense.

[Styluss]

In the meantime Madness, just scope the mods section of the board and see what others have done to their cars.

[Money pit Beretta]

It sure would be nice to get more info on how they kill a trans.

Old high mileage trans and then you firm up the shifts and make it shift hard and fast... That's a quick way to take a high mileage slipped/worn clutch and burn it to hell. If it's a fresh rebuild its a different story but with years of 4sec 1-2 shifts the clutches are on their way out and now your expecting them to be do performance shifts. Come on, its common sense.

That trans is out and I'm glad it is. I have a rebuilt trans right now. Really there was just a need to make the old trans shift faster. I know that it was on it's way out. Seemed to me that a firm shift was better than a slipping shift.

[Z26_T]

It sure would be nice to get more info on how they kill a trans.

Old high mileage trans and then you firm up the shifts and make it shift hard and fast... That's a quick way to take a high mileage slipped/worn clutch and burn it to hell. If it's a fresh rebuild its a different story but with years of 4sec 1-2 shifts the clutches are on their way out and now your expecting them to be do performance shifts. Come on, its common sense.

That trans is out and I'm glad it is. I have a rebuilt trans right now. Really there was just a need to make the old trans shift faster. I know that it was on it's way out. Seemed to me that a firm shift was better than a slipping shift.

If you have a 4 sec. shift from 1-2, the clutches are slipping. If you increase the pressure, it'll increase the force put on those slipping clutches. Imagine rubbing your hands together, they get warm. Now double the pressure you put on your hands while keeping the "slip" between them. You're hands are going to get very, very warm. So you're going to wear off the remaining friction material on your clutches, or heat glaze them. Just like if you side step a clutch on a manual trans when the clutch is already worn and slipping. You're increasing the force put on that clutch, and will decrease the amount of friction material more quickly.

[Koots]

Auto transmissions should have tight, firm shifts, hold gears longer and run relatively cool at all times. Even stock rebuild parts can last a lot longer with a properly setup and built transmission.

My experience with the RWD and 4WD truck/full size car transmissions also show that having strong, non-paper clutches, thick steels and proper tolerances and good bushings will also make for a stronger transmission. I've heard horror stories of guys getting their trucks sunk in the water and getting it into their auto trans. Usually the paper based clutches are pretty much useless after that and the truck starts a downward spiral to death. It's not so much of a problem with a street car but you never know LOL

I'm running (overkill) Alto Red Eagle clutches in my TH350. The trans had previously been rebuilt (wish I had known that before I spent all the money I did on parts LOL) and the replacement clutches weren't paper backed and looked brand new, but definitely didn't have the feel of strength of these red eagles. I'm only planning on putting max 250HP and 550TQ through it, which the stock Borg Wagner clutches can handle, but I wanted to make sure it could handle the immediate torque during shifts.

Anyway, rant/