Upgraded PML Transmission pans? Worth the money? What about upgraded valve bodies?

[randy88fj62]

2008 Sport Edition V8 4WD: A750F Transmission

TRANSMISSION PAN
My transmission has been ever so slightly slipping this past year even after I removed and replaced all the fluid by disconnecting the trans cooler line and pumping in new fluid. I am starting my planning for the rebuild. I am curious if anyone has solid numbers on this transmission pan.

Did their transmission temperature decrease 10°F? They site has no real numbers other than it adds capacity (~2 quarts).

I have 494,600 miles on the drivetrain and I'm hoping to hit 500,000 before rebuilding it.


VALVE BODY UPGRADES
I've barely touched the subject here on the forums and I noticed some have upgraded. Was it worth it and which brand did you use?

ANY OTHER UPGRADES?
more clutch packs?
upgraded torque converter?

 

[randy88fj62]

I am aware of the aussie upgrades as they make stuff for my old landcruiser.
Wholesale Automatic Transmissions -

Looking at all other options as well.

 

[AuSeeker]

2008 Sport Edition V8 4WD: A750F Transmission

TRANSMISSION PAN
My transmission has been ever so slightly slipping this past year even after I removed and replaced all the fluid by disconnecting the trans cooler line and pumping in new fluid. I am starting my planning for the rebuild. I am curious if anyone has solid numbers on this transmission pan.

Did their transmission temperature decrease 10°F? They site has no real numbers other than it adds capacity (~2 quarts).

I have 494,600 miles on the drivetrain and I'm hoping to hit 500,000 before rebuilding it.



VALVE BODY UPGRADES
I've barely touched the subject here on the forums and I noticed some have upgraded. Was it worth it and which brand did you use?

ANY OTHER UPGRADES?
more clutch packs?
upgraded torque converter?

Just an FYI, to remove the stock transmission pan when you have the V8 you have to remove part of the exhaust, so I'm not sure if the deeper pan will even fit because of the exhaust, I visited PML's website and they show where their deeper pan was installed on a 2007...but with the V6 which doesn't have the same configuration of the exhaust, with a V6 the stock transmission pan can be removed without any interference from the exhaust.

Just wanted you to be aware of this so you can do your due diligence on making sure the deeper pan will actually fit with the V8 since PML states on their website that these pan aren't returnable for refund.

I look forward to what you find out and if these pans will indeed work with the V8's exhaust as I'm interested in one if it will actually fit.

 

[xtremewlr]

Just an FYI, to remove the stock transmission pan when you have the V8 you have to remove part of the exhaust, so I'm not sure if the deeper pan will even fit because of the exhaust, I visited PML's website and they show where their deeper pan was installed on a 2007...but with the V6 which doesn't have the same configuration of the exhaust, with a V6 the stock transmission pan can be removed without any interference from the exhaust.

Just wanted you to be aware of this so you can do your due diligence on making sure the deeper pan will actually fit with the V8 since PML states on their website that these pan aren't returnable for refund.

I look forward to what you find out and if these pans will indeed work with the V8's exhaust as I'm interested in one if it will actually fit.

If you look at the PML pan, they are angled at the front and rear, with the steeper angle being at the front, I think. Pretty sure they took the stock exhaust routing into consideration for the install. But I agree, you would have to remove the crossover pipe on the V8 to get the new pan in there. Being a good time to re-route the crossover pipe a little farther forward too. Be more protected and out of the way for future service.

 

[randy88fj62]

Yes, I was reading in different threads about the V8 exhaust. I am not worried about that, I can reroute and adjust as needed. My main goal is researching the upgrades and seeing what is worth doing.

I don't like that their website can't even give a definitive temperature reduction number link, "your transmission temperature will drop around 10°F".

Who has upgraded their transmission other than coolers?

 

[Keros]

My V8's valve body was upgraded by IPT transmissions in New York.

The truck drives like a f*ckin' animal.

It's always in a high-power gear, ready to go. Shifts from 1st to 2nd to 3rd are like a kick in the ass, especially at WOT.

If you're happy with the truck being a bit psychotic and enjoy it lacking all things concerning good manners and politeness, I'd give IPT's valve body a 10/10, it's awesome!

If you enjoy the seamless shifting and smooth driving of the stock transmission, an upgraded valve body is NOT for you.

 

[randy88fj62]

Thank you for sharing your experience with the valve body upgrade you got. That is what I want. I'm looking for performance over comfort.

 

[Keros]

ANY OTHER UPGRADES?
more clutch packs?
upgraded torque converter?

I wanted to touch on these two topics but didn't have time earlier.

John at IPT said that the torque converter is better left untouched. There's no "upgrade" per-se, yet a transmission shop can fiddle with the stall. That's what most drag racing guys are doing when they say "upgraded torque converter": higher stall to come out of the hole at a higher RPM, sometimes for better boost off the line in a turbo setup or just better 50' times because they launch from the bottom of the power band (rather than off idle).

Driving a 4Runner with a non-OEM torque converter would be terrible.

Also, doing the valve body modification, such that IPT does, you only need to send them the valve body. They have a video on Youtube of a Axx0F being taken apart (similar to ours, but not exactly the same); how to take it apart and what parts to send to IPT. It's pretty straight forward however our transmission has a few extra bits than the video does so just go with your gut on what extra to send.

Video

Speed Syndicate in Burnaby did the transmission work for me, handling the removal and re installation of the valve body and the subsequent transmission swap. There appeared to be enough gotchas in the service manual that I didn't want to attempt the swap on jackstands in a freezing cold garage in November.

If I were to decide later to IPT further upgrade the transmission, I wouldn't have to pay them to upgrade the valve body, just for any other work they do when they get the trans. So if you want some extra UMPH, but don't want to cough up $5000 for a rebuild, a valve body mod is a great place to start.

 

[randy88fj62]

Thank you for the overview, I appreciate the input.

Do we have people here on the forums running IPT valve bodies?

 

[Inv4drZm]

Thank you for the overview, I appreciate the input.

Do we have people here on the forums running IPT valve bodies?

None that I've seen.