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Dorman Transmission Pan With Drain Bolt.

Yeah I ordered a new GM gasket as there's a cork one on there now from the PO, and I picked up and AC Delco Transmission Filter from Advance, which is made in China.....I thought AC Delco was made stateside....guess not. Also got the Dorman pan on order as well.
 


I think most trans filters are made in china. Even the name brand filters that make motor oil filters in the US, have their transmission filter line in china.
 
Hell I might just change the pan, fluid and filter myself. It'll save me some money and it'll make me feel worthwhile.
 
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Might as well, if you have the very few things needed to do it yourself. It's nearly mess free with a little strategy too. I have a good size drain pan, and started loosening bolts in one area first, letting it leak for a few before removing it. Hardly more than a few drips on the cardboard I set down. I did later make a total mess when doing a manual flush, a full quart soaked into the cardboard. They burn well once soaked in oil lol.

What fluid are you going to use? Many recommend using dex III in the transmissions that came with it. Dex VI is the other option, and is part synthetic. Many prefer not to use it on the older ones (2005 and older) because the trans has worn accordingly to dex III, and the better flowing synthetic may bring out some issues if they're already starting. But it's considered backwards compatible. It's up to you. It will be fine if the trans has been rebuilt, but I don't think yours has.
 
Nope no rebuild here, there's no major issues with it. The PCS has been busted forever so when it warms up it shifts rough, but that's old news, been doing that since I bought it, 70k ago haha. I haven't decided which way I'm going to go on the fluid yet, was considering Dex 6, but I was researching on here last night and opinions seem split.
 
If your PCS is failing, defiantly don't use dex VI. It has a higher flow rate (decreasing pressure) more than a failing PCS already causes. Heck even new Dex III will have a higher flow rate than the original Dex III since its clean and free of particles and clutch material.

Why don't you fix it? I just went in and changed mine 2 weeks ago. If you don't want to do that, make sure to put a TransGo shift kit in it. The parts go in the accumulator which is easily removable when the pan is off. It will greatly help issues caused by the PCS without replacing it.
 


Sorry not the PCS,
http://www.grandprixforums.net/showthread.php?t=10588

EPC Solenid, which apparently requires the transmission to be partially torn down to get to. As it was explained to me (and could very well be wrong) the EPC solenoid is responsible for controlling how much line pressure to apply during shifts and when it goes bad it applies 100% line pressure during shifts. Whether or not that is the actual case however I don't know. It hasn't and doesn't throw any codes and the harsh shifting only begins after the car has warmed up. If someone TripleEdgePerformance or anyone knowledgeable on the topic looks in here maybe they can provide some insight.
 
It's the same thing, different names. They called it a EPC primarily after 03 I think.

PCS: Pressure Control Solenoid, EPC: Electronic Pressure Control (solenoid) The 98-02 design often fails by 100k, the valve apparently wears a groove or something, and over time once the trans needs more pressure to overcome worn seals, the groove prevents it from moving more than the groove. I could be wrong about that, but I'm pretty sure that's how it happens. but it causes too low of pressure, and as the trans warms up it gets worse. The computer realizes the shifts are too long, and thinks that the pressure is correct when it's not, and commands full pressure. I was in the exact same spot as you just earlier this year.


I did the shift kit and fluid/filter, and never got max adapt again(harsh shifts) I like doing things right, and also it's better for the trans to have the correct pressure, so I did drop my subframe to replace it. Like I said, the shift kit is a good way to firm shifts up in a way other than increasing pressure if you can't replace the PCS yourself. It will prevent max adapt.
 
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Did you replace yours? if so how hard was it to replace the PCS? I don't mind doing internal work hell I've rebuilt two motorcycles haha and am planning a cam swap for my current bike this winter. I was a little wary, I'd always heard shift kits are more prone to cause broken hard parts, and eventually I'd like to get an Overkill PCM, I wonder how well they interface. IF you didn't replace yours, just to clarify the shift kit has prevented it from happening any longer?
 
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A TransGo will not break hard parts, it only makes the shifts faster, not harder.

Replacing the PCS would only take me a day to replace. I found it relatively easy to do. It's mostly just suspension stuff until you get to the transmission side cover, then take off the many bolts that hold it on, and the sensor is right there and easily replaceable.

My thread for it http://www.grandprixforums.net/showthread.php?t=82478 I've got 2 videos of how it shifts, and one of me reassembling it from the 4th clutch hub replacement.

I changed the 4th clutch hub as well because they're only going to last so long (the 98-03 hubs) and usually go by 150k, some make it to 200k. That's more complicated though, the pcs on its own is easy.
 
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The shift kit will eliminate the hard shifting in almost all cases. If it doesn't, your pressure would have to be dangerously low, which yours isnt because it's lasted this long. The transmission line pressure is the original problem, and it will not change from the shift kit. But if you just want to get what you can out of the car then the shift kit will work. The PCS itself is a $35 part. This is cheaper and will fix the problem, it requires more labor as you know.

That is the most complete kit for a Transgo (TEP special), it includes everything which is nice.
 
Do it yourself. It's a rather easy task. If you have a shop do it you'll be overpaying for something so simple. Oh and throw in a shift kit while you're at it.
 
Awesome, thanks. Don't take this the wrong way, but I watched your videos where you were shaking the motors to check the mounts and then flipped them. You sound really young, but you obviously know a ton about these cars, the world needs more people like you.
 


I am young, 19. I was 18 in the video. And thanks, I've only been into cars for almost 4 years, but have learned a ton in that time from school, and the internet. I didn't really get into cars until I got my GP and I wanted to be able to fix anything that went wrong with it. I have so far, replaced a lot of stuff on it and friends/neighbors cars. It hasn't seen a repair shop once yet. Alignments will be the only exception.

And just being curious, how did you end up get to the motor mount related video? I don't recall posting it more than once on this forum. Probably just through youtube suggestions.
 
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Yeah a little overdue..... I'm at work, so I stepped outside right quick and checked my trans fluid, wasn't inspiring to see this :
http://i.imgur.com/Z3egNym.jpg

I understand, when I bought this car I was so excited to work on it and keep it so nice and make it run awesome, then I bought my bike haha. Sadly I've neglected my car in favor of putting money into my bike, this past winter the bike got completely new suspension, paint, body work, brakes, brake lines, so much powdercoating it was absurd.... the list goes on and on. (for those interested : http://www.svrider.com/forum/dto_garage.php?do=viewvehicle&vehicle_id=1683)

The only reason I've recently taken a big look into working on my Grand Prix again was an accident. I hit a deer and the body shop I took it to was awesome. The owner is a Grand Prix fanatic, he has three of them. He was showing me his with the ram air hood, lowered, completely overhauled SC and it made me realize how nice this car is and how much I've been taking it for granted. Sadly some of the aesthetic details have taken a big hit, damage on my bumper, rock chips all over the hood, rear bumper is fading. Maybe in time I can get it back to its' former glory.
 
it smells burnt unfortunately. I'm all too familiar with that smell, I used to own a Dodge with the A604 transmission.
 
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