call IPT IPT Performance Transmissions | Performance Parts | Torque Converters
and ask about a torque converter upgrade. The single best upgrade you can do for an automatic transmission setup. Look at getting a valve body upgrade then plen on a turbo upgrade and you should have a very fast daily driveable car.

Torque Converter is a good idea but basicly do what you want just like a manual. You know upgrade fuel pump, turbo, intercooler, injectors, and read read read. What did you do with the other two cars?

Very clean. My brother has a 98 GST/manual. The engine is dirty as hell but it still runs strong with over 100k mi. All he added was HKS cat back and upper/lower icp. I figure if you do the simple bolt on mods you'll be happy with it for a while. How much did you pick it up for if you don't mind me asking?

The other 2 Spyder GST's are sitting in my backyard still. I have them both covered and will probably build at least one up and sell the shell of the other.

I paid 4900 for the White GST. It is extremely clean on the inside, and body only has a few door dings. It is also completely stock under the hood, radio, interior. All electronics work great too.

wow, thats quite a find. You dont come across a completely unmolested one too often.

Dam. Mr. Moneybags.

Very nice dsm, hopefully you will have better luck with this one

Don't feel bad I'm on my 5th DSM...Good luck with this one...A piece of advice though, plan out what you want out of this car (and the others) before you start buying parts. That's were most people (myself included) tend to go wrong

Great job on finding an unmolested DSM. I too just picked up my 3rd DSM (and third automatic) that was never modified. Its funny to see the big huge black thing under the hood called an airbox.

Talk to John at IPT, he is the "GURU" of the auto world, basically the Shep for automatics. I would go with an aftercooler piggybacked on the stock cooler that way you can brake boost (briefly!!). Other upgrades are about the same, I put down 383 with my first auto DSM. The 16g is a great turbo on the automatic and a good turbo for DD.

If you ever have questions about mods, or the automatic shoot me a PM anytime. Good luck on your 3rd round!

Do all the normal mods, and talk to an A/T guy, or go for broke and swap the tranny

Congrats on the new car(s), and as everyone is saying, do the same mods you would to a stick.

I also don't suggest swapping over to a 5speed considering the ammount of work needed,parts costs, etc.
It should also be pointed out that a lot of 5-speed guys are swapping to automatic trannies for drag purposes, so IF you thought about swapping it, maybe talk to one of them?

But yeah dude just do basic bolt ons and you'll be happy (for a little while anyway). What maintenance have you done so far?

I really hope you don't go with the guys that say swap out the Auto. What a waist in my opinion. For the money that you would spend on doing the swap you could put some IPT parts in and have a killer auto. On my last GST I had a duel stage so I set low boost for 1st gear launches, then once the auto hit 2nd, hit the switch for high boost and hold onto the steering wheel and try to keep it between the lines.
Look around on the forums and ask some of the other guys that are running automatics, launches are perfect almost every time, we can generate boost at the light before launch, and they can shift faster than any 5spd. Good luck!!

69_luv said:

Great job on finding an unmolested DSM. I too just picked up my 3rd DSM (and third automatic) that was never modified. Its funny to see the big huge black thing under the hood called an airbox.

Talk to John at IPT, he is the "GURU" of the auto world, basically the Shep for automatics. I would go with an aftercooler piggybacked on the stock cooler that way you can brake boost (briefly!!). Other upgrades are about the same, I put down 383 with my first auto DSM. The 16g is a great turbo on the automatic and a good turbo for DD.

If you ever have questions about mods, or the automatic shoot me a PM anytime. Good luck on your 3rd round!

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You mean transmission cooler, Yes they are great for turbo auto's and 420a automatic. Add a transmission gauge to keep an eye on temps.

Look into a shiftkit also, from IPT or transgo. These three items are fairly cheap and will extend the life from the auto.

Nice 2g, when I look at it or other white 2g's makes me miss my old white 2g nt.

wishin4nX said:

I also don't suggest swapping over to a 5speed considering the ammount of work needed,parts costs, etc.
It should also be pointed out that a lot of 5-speed guys are swapping to automatic trannies for drag purposes, so IF you thought about swapping it, maybe talk to one of them?

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Not everyone is into drag, and automatics just arent fun at all in the twisties......

though agreed, if you buy auto, might as well keep it. If you get the hankerin' for a stick, buy a second DSM. I wish now that my GST is relegated to being a DD that I had gotten an auto, but initially i bought the car for top-down twisty action and awd swap.........oh how things change. Auto's are great for DD'ing though, especially in stop n go traffic.

Hey guys, thanks for all the information. I really don't want to change it to a manual as I have 2 manual spyders that I can work with putting back to together.

I took the car the UMS Tuning and had them go over it to give me a list of what needed to be changed. They actually changed the Original Plugs and Wires (11 years old), checked the oil sending unit (the gauge was not working right, now it doesn't work at all), and then I got a list of things. I need to change most hoses (already ordered a full set of Silicone Replacements for most hoses, vaccuum lines), I have a leaky head gasket, and Oil pan gasket. Turbo coolant lines need to be replaced. Replaced the fronts fans already, new thermostat, changed all fluids.

What about the stock exhaust? Doesn't that restrict alot? Aftermarket fuel filter or lines? I have a Walbro 255 that I can put in, but I thought I would have to put in an adjustable fuel pressure gauge first and upgrade the injectors 1st. Also what about a FMIC?

So, if I put in order what I should do
1. Maintenance
2. Torque Converter
3. Transmission Cooler w/gauge
4. Shift kit
5. Aftermarket Air intake
6. Fuel Pump
7. Injectors
8. Battery (I already have a killer stereo that will be going in)
9. Gauges (I know I need an oil pressure, then a tranny temp?, Boost/Vac?, Exhaust temp?)
10. Turbo

Does this seem like an o.k. order? Or do I need to switch something around.

I think your list looks good. Good for you for starting with the maintenence.

Good looking list. I am a personal fan of 2, 3, 4. I wouldn't mess around with the injectors, and fuel pump untill your ready to do the turbo. Stock exhaust from the o2 housing back could get ditched for something. For your guages the two most important IMO is Wideband/boost, the others are gravy on the biscuit

If you thinking about changing the turbo, wait on your O2 Housing, FMIC, and Intake. You might bounce around between 3"GM/MAFT setup, short route, long route FMIC, and then there is 100's of turbo options from mild to wild. Different turbo's have different configurations for manifolds, and intercooler routing. Don't forget tuning options in your build ideas.

In looking into the Torque Converter. Do I get the 600.00 one or the 1100.00 one for a daily driver?

My guess is the one that is $519, but you need to talk with John at IPT. He will build the TC for what you want/need. Just a side note, I didn't know that you had to fill the TC up with fluid before installing and I think that might have been one of the causes to my catastrophic failure.

69_luv said:

My guess is the one that is $519, but you need to talk with John at IPT. He will build the TC for what you want/need. Just a side note, I didn't know that you had to fill the TC up with fluid before installing and I think that might have been one of the causes to my catastrophic failure.

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Im glad you said that. I didnt know that and just finished a awd conversion and workin a 63/64 hybrid. Ill do that before i stick it back in.