slowmkviii
Dedicated LVC Member
Keviiin you will need a tune.
Get J-modded!
- Thread starter majorownage
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KStromberg
Dedicated LVC Member
+1 I agree. KeVIIIn, you need a tune. The JMOD or other kit mentioned will control the firmness of shifts and even some torque managment NOT the shift points. A tune can raise shift points though. And the dropping out of the powerband you speak of, if I am understanding you correctly, is a result of the stock torque converter. An aftermarket torque converter with a higher stall rating will keep the car in the powerband much better. Watch your tachometer and see where the rpms fall to upon shifts. Now imagine being about 1000 rpms higher with a 3800 stall (which I have). That is pretty much at the sweetest spot in the curve. My car will fall back to 5000 rpms upon the 1-2 shift and a little lower on the 2-3.
As my saying goes, "Better gearing will get it there and a high stall will keep it there." Two of the best preliminary modifications that you can do to a heavy Mark VIII IMHO. In stock form, there is a lot left on the plate with these cars not only from the factory tune but also with the stock torque converter and highway gears. But it's a luxury car and wasn't meant to be a race car until all of us wingnuts came along.
Ah yes, I kind of figured a tune would be the answer. What I mean by shifting too soon is when im at say..1/4 throttle accelerating from a stop it will shift too soon into 2nd gear bringing the motor down to about 1000 rpm (meanwhile holding the throttle firm at a 1/4). It is especially bad when I'm making a left turn from a turn lane in an intersection, I usually have to slightly let off the throttle when making my way into the turn causing it to shift waay too early..I've found myself giving it more gas in the turn just to keep in from doing this (not a good idea in winter weather conditions lol). It will do the same when shifting into 3rd also if I don't give it enough throttle. However anything above constant 1/2 throttle and the trans shifts great through the gears IMO. So I figure that must be something controlled electronically through either RPM or throttle position.
I could see doing the Jmod, but not sure if I could justify a stall converter in a daily driver..just isn't practicle to me at least until I can find a winter beater.
But anyways thanks for the suggestions!
I could see doing the Jmod, but not sure if I could justify a stall converter in a daily driver..just isn't practicle to me at least until I can find a winter beater.
But anyways thanks for the suggestions!
KStromberg
Dedicated LVC Member
^That is correct. And I understand your position with the stall. Gas mileage will go down and driveability is a bit different. (Higher shifts, higher rpm operation in general while driving hence the gas mileage decrease). For what it is worth, my car is a daily driver in the non-winter months with a 40,000gvw cooler and the 3800 stall. The transmission does not run hot and I have found the driveability to be quite stock under light throttle. Just my experience for future reference for ya if you ever consider. It's really not THAT bad as some would assume it is whether from experience or from no experience at all with a stall. The driving experience is a bit different, but I quickly adapted to it.
In the meantime, a less costly option of course is a tune. You will be happy with that and it will drastically reduce the stock driving experience.
the1andonlyGR81
Dedicated LVC Member
you dont have a programmer by now? alot of people are down on the sniper, ive got it, probobly the best feature on it is the means to completely adjust allshift points and firmness. mine barks second with the stock rear. there are alot of variables that in tuning are best lft to people who understand what they are doing like a/f ratios and timing. but it also has a real time analysis screen to read all that while the car is running with laptop. im still gonna do the jmod because of the longeveity it adds to tranny with allowing extra fluid to travel through, but with a tune the two together are incredible.
philly0420
Dedicated LVC Member
Kevin, I would hit up BOC and have a chip burned. Best 325 bones you could spend on your car. Or you could buy an early 93 computer.
2002WRXSTi
Dedicated LVC Member
My Tuner is buggin me to let him put my Mark on the DynoJet but I ain't till I have my WRX back on the road :shifty:
dumb question..who or what is BOC? Still kinda new here i don't think i've seen anyone by that username.
I actually contemplated removing the computer from a 93..I've come across quite a few at the junk yard. Is it a straight up swap for the 94/95? or does anything else have to be done?
mossbergman
Dedicated LVC Member
blue oval chip
chris2523
93 Mark VIII
http://www.blueovalchips.com/
Lonnie is also a member/vendor over at LOD.
i have a blue oval chip and its great. he is familiar with the JMOD and everything cuz he has a mark.
should be a straight swap. easy.
some people say traction control / non traction control makes a difference, but i haven't seen any proof of that.
of course..blue oval chips..duh..I've seen people write about them. I'll have to look into that. Thanks!
philly0420
Dedicated LVC Member
If you can find it the W3Z2 computer is the one to get. If you can't find one I have one and I live close. Might deliver it for a little compensation.
I'll have to do some research on tuners and chips for these cars, i don't know much about it to be honest. Didn't realize you lived in illinois though, figured you were from philly lol, what town you from?