Escort auto trans upgrades

[DrDusty86]

What are some upgrades to the auto trans in my 99 Zx2? I think it is a 4EAT. It has had fluid pan drops once a year with RP Max ATF. It likes to upshift to early and would just like firmer shifts. It has been this way since I got it at 45k miles, it currently has a hair over 200k. It still shifts like the day I got it though. Its just to "soft" for my tastes. I guess I'm just itching to get in a manual again as I HATE autos

.
Thanks,
Dusty

 

[Lead Shoes]

Its soft because the car was not meant to be a racer, just a good solid compact commuter car, look at shift kits for the car.. if they make them.

Should have got the 5 speed if you wanted the racer feel.

 

[DrDusty86]

I don't want the "racer" feel, just good "firm" shifts. Yea I feel stupid for getting an auto..next car will be a manual...

 

[Lead Shoes]

There is not much you can do... there is a reason they are called slush boxes..

Try Amsoil ATF next time, my moms 02 Monte Carlo has much firmer shifts after I did a pan drop and refilled.

 

[DrDusty86]

yep.. My truck is a manual and ALL previous rigs were manuals...What about those trans controller things?

 

[Knox]

http://www.transgo.com/sk_ford.php

Halfway down, the "SK®GF4A-EL", should help. At the very lest you won't have to drop the transmission.

 

[IndyIan]

Isn't there a kick down cable on the car? Adjusting it so the trans thinks you are using more throttle than you actually are, should make it hold gears a bit longer and shift a little firmer.

 

[brianl703]

Originally Posted By: IndyIan
Isn't there a kick down cable on the car?


It's an electronically controlled transmission. There is no kick down cable.

 

[DrDusty86]

Should I install an external transcooler on it? If so whats the best way, as it is not the metal lines go into the radiator and have a banjo bolt.
Thanks,
Dusty

 

[The_Jeff]

Usually there's a rubber flex hose somewhere in the trans cooler line that can be cut into and spliced. The aftermarket coolers usually have extra hose and barb fittings for this.

 

[IndyIan]

Originally Posted By: DrDusty86
Should I install an external transcooler on it? If so whats the best way, as it is not the metal lines go into the radiator and have a banjo bolt.
Thanks,
Dusty

I don't know why you would need a cooler on it? Unless you are tracking it. Even then I did a track day last year with the Neon and it didn't seem to affect the transmission fluid much at all even though I had to run the heater to keep the water temps down to something reasonable. It was all 40-85mph stuff so it didn't get a ton of airflow.

 

[mechtech2]

There is the option of a computer upgrade. What I mean is a reprogramming [like SCT] that will make the engine run much better and change the shift points.

There are a few auto trans tricks at: teamzx2.com.
I'd do a search there.