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545RFE Trans. Mods

106115 Views 860 Replies 38 Participants Last post by  sparkybg
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Hey Josh, are you running a stock torque converter. That could explain the hard down shifts. Or, do you have the Torque Management option tuned off? With my tune from Marty. My Torque management is turned off. Some times, it will get a harder than normal down shift when slowing down. I bet that is a much harder down shift in a stage III.

"The Sharadon stage III trans was set-up to run a 2800 to 3500 rpm stall TC. Denny said the trans works best with 3000 rpm stall TC on a 2WD." Note: The Sharadon stage III trans is set-up more for the track than the street.

The shudder, hesitate, and bump bump bump?
I would call and talk to Denny about those problems. He won't be in town until 9/14. I have to call him back on that date to find out what my options are for a 03 trans build.

Bill, are you having this same hard down shift at 30 mph? I'm guessing your Torque Management is turned off also?
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Race trucks have high maintainance cost associated with keeping them running. High performance street trucks have most likely even higher costs as they get driven more and beat on often. The truth is that the transmissins all need to get freshened up ever few years. My built 46rh is still going strong but it will eventually need a overhual as will any transmission.
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Understand and your freshen up will cost 1/5th if one of these things. We can buy this trans from ATS and never be able to rebuild it like he does.
well you know the old saying you have to pay to play... And you never know overtime eventually the transmission may become cheaper.......... I doubt it.
LMAO if only things did get cheaper
Hey, can you guys please post up anything that has to do with the ATS transmission and Copilot on the ATS trans thread. Clint and his team does read what's on there. :thumb:

Thanks, Stu

PS. This is my 545rfe trans mods thread. Not the ATS talk show... :doh::bottom: :D
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:bottom::cagefight::facepalm::thumb:
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Check this out.

One of the things that goes bad is the valve body gets worn out of spec at the accumulator bores. The accumulator piston rubs against the accumulator bore and wears it out of spec. Here's the fix for that problem. :thumb::thumb:


Sonnax Accumulator Piston Kit - 44894-01MK





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I would think that these accumulators aren't as much of an issue as other things. As these tend to blow the plate right off valve body makes me think sealing of these doesn't seem to be an issue. Extra seals aren't a bad thing but are they really worth it. With these and all the other mods in VB required why not buy the whole thing. I see this is a repair for a possibly damaged bore not really a weak link fix. I think ATS puts this in their valve body or something similar after they cross hatch the bore.
This is a new product. ATS isn't using it yet...
High performance street trucks have most likely even higher costs as they get driven more and beat on often. The truth is that the transmissins all need to get freshened up ever few years.

That is very true.
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This is how ATS addresses valve body issues.
https://youtu.be/B_YNA-XOIuE
The info you are looking for is here on this thread DakBuilder. What are you looking to do with your 545rfe trans?
It was time to do a filter & fluid change on the 03. Very pleased with what I have found. The filters and fluid haven't been changed since Dec 2017, before the truck started doing it's fastest runs yet at full weight. The trans fluild looked so good, didn't even change it out. Just topped it off with new trans fluid.
This is the modded Sharadon trans with the Smart Tech OD hub and the increased line pressure spring in the trans fluid pump. This is the same trans that did a 12.7/12.8 @ 105 to109mph at PBIR and Orlando Speed World. Did a 12.6 at Gainesville raceway with a throttle body shut down at the 1000' mark. It also did several boost test hits as well. The 03 was in full street trim with 22" SRT10 wheels at the weight of 5752lbs. Never changed the filters or trans fluid after putting the 03 back to stock. Just left the modded sharadon trans in it with the oem tc. Been driving it daily back and forth to work with various trips.
Bumper Gas Automotive exterior Metal Font


PS. Never do a wot overdrive to 2nd prime down shift. That's what destroys the od clutches in this trans.
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It was time to do a filter & fluid change on the 03. Very pleased with what I have found. The filters and fluid haven't been changed since Dec 2017, before the truck started doing it's fastest runs yet at full weight. The trans fluild looked so good, didn't even change it out. Just topped it off with new trans fluid.
This is the modded Sharadon trans with the Smart Tech OD hub and the increased line pressure spring in the trans fluid pump. This is the same trans that did a 12.7/12.8 @ 105 to109mph at PBIR and Orlando Speed World. Did a 12.6 at Gainesville raceway with a throttle body shut down at the 1000' mark. It also did several boost test hits as well. The 03 was in full street trim with 22" SRT10 wheels at the weight of 5752lbs. Never changed the filters or trans fluid after putting the 03 back to stock. Just left the modded sharadon trans in it with the oem tc. Been driving it daily back and forth to work with various trips. View attachment 50461

PS. Never do a wot overdrive to 2nd prime down shift. That's what destroys the od clutches in this trans.
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wood Coin Nickel Circle Electric blue
Wood Coin Nickel Circle Electric blue
this is what you'll get in the bottom of the pan if you force downshift.
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When you see burnt clutch material on the bottom of the pan. That's when it's time to get worried...
Planning on pulling the modded Sharadon trans out of the 03 in the future. Will tear it down for a full clutch inspection. That will show if the Sonnax Smart Tech hub and higher pump pressure spring in trans pump is working or not. I have the stock trans that came out of the 05. Planning on doing a trans inspection, rebuild and install the Smart Tech hub in the 05 545rfe trans as well. Will be putting the rebuilt 05 trans in the 03. The modded Sharadon 545rfe trans will be a back-up trans for the 05.
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Finally got around to pulling out the molded Sharadon transmission out of the 03. Planning on inspecting the Smart Tech overdrive hub clutches to see how they look. This will be a backup transmission for the 05.

Blue Automotive tire Tread Gas Synthetic rubber
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