I found what I hoped, was a nice speed shop in Crest Hill, Illinois to do my gear change. I saw their advertisements at Route 66 dragway and checked out their website and shop (both very nice).
I have now had my car in 3 times (11 days over 3 weeks) for install of 4.56 gears. The first time it was in, nothing got done, and I was given some story about a orange tag in the rear end stating the axle housing was not compatible with 4.56 gears.
I did some research and talked to many people and asked the shop to order the parts from J&S Gear and they would know what to send for the install. Well, I brought it in a second time and the owner said they would not go in (too big). He said they may have sent the wrong part. I asked if he had ordered them from J&S like I requested and they had not, but promised to get the parts in from J&S overnight and would get me right back in.
Well I brought the SSR back for my scheduled appointment (3rd time) and this time he was also going to send the computer into pcmforless to get the PCM/TCM done while the car was in for the gear swap. The car was in the shop 6 days for this final appointment and I went to pick the car up Thursday night.
While driving home I drove very gently on the gears but I did not notice much of a difference from stock. Also, the TCM, ABS, and brake light lit up on the dash with a chime and message to Service Brakes Soon. I took the car to the Chevy dealer Friday for a scheduled service and asked them to look at the ABS sensors to see if one had poissibly got damaged. The dealer called me and said there was a discrepency between what the computer and the wheels were seeing for speed.
The pcmforless tune should have taken care of this, but after picking the car up from the Chevy dealer Friday night, I think the culprit is not the computer tune but rather the fact the gears are still 3.73 and not 4.56!!
I took the car out on the freeway and used my GPS speedometer to compare the speed displayed on the speedometor was accurate. It wasn't, the speedometor said I was going 50MPH when I was actually going about 64MPH!! I also checked my speed (using GPS) versus RPM on the tach. At 50MPH my tach shows about 1500RPM and @ 60MPH it shows about 1800RPM. This tells me the gears are still stock and the reason the TCM, ABS, and brake lights are lit up on the dash is because the pcmforless tune is for 4.56 gears but the gears in the car are still 3.73!!
Can anyone confirm my hypothesis based on the information above?
Jack up the rear end so both wheels are just off the ground after securing the front wheels, put the truck in Neutral, mark the drive shaft, spin a rear wheel one complete revolution and count how many times the mark rotates from it's starting position.
If it goes by just sort of 4 you have the 3.73, if just over 4 you have the 4.56's.
Sorry to hear about the issues ........ you should feel quite a bit of difference after the gear install from what I have read here. Good luck!
Sounds like you have 3.73 gears and a 4.56 tune. Verify as listed above. mark the driveshaft and a tire , turn the driveshaft to get one revolution of the tire. How many turns of the driveshaft does it take? ~3 3/4 or ~4.5.
I'm wondering if because the rear-end was(or should have been)apart, that you could tell by the bolts having scratches on them.Also that truck should JUMP when you get into it.
Both PCM4LESS and J&S Gears come highly recommended on this site and I have personally used their services. Check your data you sent to PCM and /or you could have 4:10's by mistake. Figure that out mechanically by the test suggested in previous posts
I've been experiencing ignition start mode failure intermittently, but can't remember if that problem began before or after the PCM4LESS tune. I think before; so I'm going to switch out my ignition switch just as soon as I get up the guts to tackle it. My speedo is right on but sometimes the engine with belch and die on start-up and frequently won't start at all, just swinging guage indicators and full warning light display. I'm still thinking ignition switch, though, rather than tune, because when it is a won't start state, I can pull the PCM fuse to reset the computer but that won't fix the no start problem which comes and goes intermittently.
My SSR: 04, True duals w/Cherry Bombs, 3G spoiler, 4.56 , K & N Cold Air Kit, Gforce KDW T/A
Quote:
Originally Posted by radarb8
I have an appt for Thursday, I'll keep you all posted on the outcome of attempt number 4.
When I did this upgrade, I ordered the gears myself and had them shipped to me,so when I picked up my SSR, they gave me my old gears back. If they didn't offer to, ask for them back, they are your gears.
My SSR: '04 Purple (Penelope)#3438 1st '04 Production UV and '06 blue over silver auto, #22851 #5 0f 32
Quote:
Originally Posted by radarb8
I have an appt for Thursday, I'll keep you all posted on the outcome of attempt number 4.
After reading your woes, I believe you should find a "reputable" garage who can do the work w/o a myriad of excuses...not to mention lying to you. My .02
My SSR: 03. Custom paint. Flowmaster 40, lake pipes, 4.56's, torque converter, Vette servo, Bosal tips.
This is so sad to hear. Sounds like they don't know what they are doing or they're trying to rip you off. I'd try to get my money back and go somewhere else. The shop I took mine to for the 4.56's had it back to me in 2 days, no problems. Tune, converter, servo and everything.
And you will definitely notice the difference from stock, even with being gentle on the gears. I hope the fourth time is the charm for you. Don't let them take advantage of you.
Radarb8: Yeah, sounds like you still ahve 3.73 gears. Once you REALLY change to 4.56, you will DEFINITELY feel it. No comparison. Not even on the same planet.
You need to pick your automotive service suppliers MUCH better.
I have a similar problem. My brake and ABS light come on when I program for 4:56 and my traction control does not work. It also will not shift out of 1st gear with the TR Control on.
I have set it at 3:73 gears and the only thing wrong is the speed reading, reading faster than I am actuslly going. Was told to go to a good speed shop to have it dynoed. don't know if it will help or not.
bronco
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LIFE IS A BANQUET AND MOST POOR SUCKERS ARE STARVING TO DEATH. Antie Mame
Finally after being in the shop for another week on the 4th attempt at getting 4.56 gears installed they are finally in and everything seems good. The installer had more problems getting the parts (shipped to wrong address) so I was in the shop for another week to get the install done.
This initiation into the 4.56 club was truly hell but I am now a full fledged member and am VERY happy with the way the SSR drives!!
If anyone has any reservations about going with 4.56 I would say your apprehension is really unnecessary. It is very drivable and not high strung at all. Basically it turned out just as I had hoped. I drive 100 miles a day on the freeway and the SSR gets just 1 MPG less on the highway. The truck is much more responsive and is much more enjoyable to drive.
My SSR: '03 Smokin' Asphalt, Vin 1656 B-day 11/13/03, Slightly modified via bad influence hdflstf & TommyB
Quote:
Originally Posted by radarb8
Finally after being in the shop for another week on the 4th attempt at getting 4.56 gears installed they are finally in and everything seems good. The installer had more problems getting the parts (shipped to wrong address) so I was in the shop for another week to get the install done.
This initiation into the 4.56 club was truly hell but I am now a full fledged member and am VERY happy with the way the SSR drives!!
If anyone has any reservations about going with 4.56 I would say your apprehension is really unnecessary. It is very drivable and not high strung at all. Basically it turned out just as I had hoped. I drive 100 miles a day on the freeway and the SSR gets just 1 MPG less on the highway. The truck is much more responsive and is much more enjoyable to drive.
Yea!!! Glad it finally worked out!!!
__________________ SSR Permigrin 4 Years and still going!
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SSR Permigrin 4 Years and still going!
