Going to be building my trans here soon and have been reading everything I can on the ATS kits. I have heard some great reviews on them but has also heard that after install they are prone to overheat and other problems. I would appreciated imput from anyone with experience with this kit. I can get a good deal on it and want to make sure I am getting quality. Thanks guys

the kit contains:
ATS Stage 3 600+ HP
Increased towing capability, Power holding to 600+ hp, Competition street/strip & sled pulling.
ATS Five Star Torque Converter

ATS Copilot:
Increases clutch pack apply pressure via electronicly controlled adjustable on the fly computer system. Will force T/C lockup after 1-2 shift & maintain lockup between shifts when in race mode. It only apply's pressure when needed based off MAP (Manifold Air Pressure) and TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) .

ATS Non-vented Clutches:
C1-16 Friction single sided
C2-14 Friction, 7 clutch (Comes with new machined P1 Drive Flange, HD torington bearing & Snap ring)
C3-12 Friction, 6 clutch (Comes with machined pressure plate, lower spring plate, steel planetary shim, new bonded modified piston & 1 extra thick steel to adjust clearance)
C4-12 Frictioin, 6 clutch (Comes with lower spring plate, new bonded modified piston & 1 extra thick steel to adjust clearance)

A-Trim & B-Trim shift valves
Internal & External Filters
Pump Gaskets
Transfer case gasket
ATS Pump Kit:
Pressure regulator valve & spring (Increases main line pressure and eliminates 5th gear pressure reduction, works on LB7 & LLY)
Pump Gaskets
Converter hub seal and o-ring
A-Trim & B-Trim shift valves
Internal & External Filters
Extension housing gasket
Transfer case gasket

This wouldnt have anything to do with the friendly races between you and chevy1925 would it???
Cant wait do get the tranny upgraded myself someday!!
From all I have read I hope to just make the 6hour drive to LA and let Mike L work some magic!

yeah that damn guy...he always has me spending money. ;) more like its just time for a trans or i have to stop playing. got a good deal on the ats kit and am having trouble passing it up otherwise i would be having mike do it. he is a great guy to work with and his transmissions are the best.

Would love to play with you guy's but like you it would just cost me money!!!
Good luck whichever route you go.

your welcome to join in. that big black dmax of his is getting FAST though.

anyone have any ats experience? cmon guys i need to make a decision here pretty soon.

If the deal is good enough maybe you could still have enough dough to add another tranny cooler for the ??overheating if they even have a problem. For the right deal I wouldnt hesitate to go with the ATS with a Co-pilot.

yeah thats an idea. i just dont want to be into the trans twice. want it right the first time.

The ats pump kit that comes with the kit raises line pressure alot and causes more heat. I belive there is no cut back in pressure in 5th gear so it will run hotter than one with a stock line valve. I'm sure you'll get more accurate info from someone that knows more about this.

thanks steveford. how do you like your trans running the 5 star and co pilot?

I have an ats stage 3 and is working great! No overheating and shifts are nice and crisp. I would recommend. I would say the more important thing is if the installer installs it right.

thanks steveford. how do you like your trans running the 5 star and co pilot?
I really like it. I'll be heading tot he track soon to see how this one launches compared to the ML converter I had in my lbz. This converter seems to work really good with this lb7. As far as the co-pilot goes I usually have it off. I've turned it on a few times but haven't had the need to have it on as of yet. The 5-star converter locks up real firm and is more noticable than my ml was at wide open throttle as far as feeling the lock up. The co-pilot even though it's off might have something to do with that too. I don't think you can really go wrong with the kit if that's what your wanting to run. Worse case you can get a better cooler and a deeper pan if there is a problem with heat.

another tidbit on the heat issue. a better cooler cannot always cure it.. or atleast in my case it wouldn't have. Apparently something in the pump wasn't done right or a valve is messed up (mine goes into the shop this week for this issue). Other than the heat issue the trans is great. Just make sure whoever you take it to has a good reputation of customer service just in case you do have issues. In my experience alone, ats has had good customer service. Jason has been a great help so far.

Question for those of you with the stage 3 setup... how do you like tow/hauling with it? (due to heating issue I haven't been able to do much of it yet) Also not sure exactly the reasoning but I was told its not a good idea to leave the copilot on all of the time. Something to do with the computers adapting to it or something... surely someone else knows more about that that I do.

Goodluck!

I ran an ATS Extreme, 5 star, 12 bolt billet flex plate and co-pilot for over two years in my gray 02 GMC without issue. Looking at their website about the only difference is mine did not have the billet input shaft. My truck ran 12.0 and 111+, (till I bent the rods). I did have a deep tranny pan, (part of the tranny from ATS) and installed a bigger cooler. I never had a problem, only thing I found is don't tow with the co-pilot on. Only time I ever used the co-pilot was on the drag strip. The

I would say that the actual installation of a tranny kit is where you will find about 50% of the reliability in a DIY kit, the other 50% is in the parts you use. Some parts and procedures, just by the nature of the transmission, are extremely easy to install improperly and will cause you issues.

Are you planning on installing this yourself, or are you going to have someone else install it? If you are going to install it, make sure that you double and triple check everything (tolerances, valves, make sure everything is in there correctly!) and just go one step at a time. Or take it to someone with a good reputation, like was said earlier.

A Stage 3 kit can handle quite a bit of power, and can do it reliably, but the key is to make sure that it is set up properly, otherwise even a stock transmission that is set up wrong can give you issues.

I would say that the actual installation of a tranny kit is where you will find about 50% of the reliability in a DIY kit, the other 50% is in the parts you use. Some parts and procedures, just by the nature of the transmission, are extremely easy to install improperly and will cause you issues.

Are you planning on installing this yourself, or are you going to have someone else install it? If you are going to install it, make sure that you double and triple check everything (tolerances, valves, make sure everything is in there correctly!) and just go one step at a time. Or take it to someone with a good reputation, like was said earlier.

A Stage 3 kit can handle quite a bit of power, and can do it reliably, but the key is to make sure that it is set up properly, otherwise even a stock transmission that is set up wrong can give you issues.
i wont be messing with it myself. a reputable builder will be doing it. i do understand that build is a huge part of the process. thanks

I too would agree that the installer plays a HUGE part in it. I think the ATS parts are quality for sure and i dont think they have a heat issue if they are done correctly. I have a ATS extreme with the biggest of everything...its always at 160*-180*. I have a big cooler too.

IMO a co-pilot is really needed unless you just want that extra piece of mind or if you are runing ALOT of power. I had a friend running 12.4 all day long on a ATS stage 1.