A604/41TE Upgrades and maintenance
Ok we all know the a604 can fail even with the mighty 142hp the stock 3.0L makes but there are things you can do to help
Let’s start off with just maintenance and preventative mods to help it live longer
The first is to get the firm ware updated at a dealer. starting in 1992 Chrysler started phasing in a TCM that could be flashed with new programming. If you have an older car you might be able to swap in the newer style TCM from a 93 or 92 they seem to have the same plug I have not tried to see if it will work but I plan to when I get the car running again
The second is change your fluid with ATF +3 or +4 depending on what it has all ready and a new mopar filter with the anti foaming additive this alone allowed me to drive my car for another year until it fully gave out
A good external trans cooler coupled with the factory trans cooler will also help. you want the fluid to go though the factory cooler first then the external cooler the factory radiator cooler helps heat up the fluid in the winter and helps it get up to the proper operating temp quicker and puts less strain on the trans fluid pump. Any good quality 6 row cooler will work like this one Flex-a-lite 4116 - Flex-a-lite TransLife Transmission Coolers - Overview - SummitRacing.com or the factory external cooler form the cargo caravans if you see one in a scrap yard
put an external filter in line after the coolers. Just a oil filter relocation kit will work with a screw on filter like this Summit Racing SUM-G4985-1 - Summit Racing® Oil Filter Relocation Kits - Overview - SummitRacing.com change that filter when ever you change the engine oil and top off the trans change the internal filter at the factory 30k-40k mile interval.
the Diff pin is also a weak point you can weld the pin in place or get the diff pin hold brackets both work fine but for $7 the diff pin retainer is not that bad in cost http://www.transmissionpartsusa.com...tial_pin_retainer_bracket_p/500-00055957g.htm
And finally the updated solenoid pack Chrysler put out in 2004 it should be made by Borg and Warner. It runs quieter but that is not the main thing it also works better and quicker then the older one and is more reliable and does not get clogged up as easily
And now that your trans is running in the best shape it can and all the maintenance and preventative care is done we can get into performance to help the a604/41TE to hold power starting with the easy things first
A shift kit or shift improver kit. like the transgo one part number SK604. Helps shorten the piston movements and helps the fluid divert faster and engage the clutches better also helps increase pressure so the clutches hold better
also with the shift kit you can modify your VB by enlarging some holes yu can do one or the toher or both. both would give the best results here is a the instructions from the wiki
Next performance mod is a LSD there are 2 that I know the phantom grip wich is 2 blocks of metal with some springs that push out or the OBX torsion unit. the torsion unit is the one for the 5 speed you will need a shim just like on the 3-speed. witht eh phantom grip to help it last longer get the side gears it rides on machined flat
Shorter gear ratios the a604/41TE has had many different gear ratios over the years depending on vehicle and engine option here is a list
3.8L 3.45
3.3L 3.6
3.0L 3.6
2.5L 3.9
2.4L 3.9
2.0L 4.1
Higher stall TC there is companies that will make you one if someone has a list or some links to where one could buy a performance 41TE torque converter and what stall speed that would be awesome. converters can be found here http://shop.rezlo.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=39&zenid=40e0bb1a2b062773fc30d47bd0e37cda
a full rebuild with the later parts found in 2004+ 41TE’s they have improved hard parts and other updates Chrysler has done over the years. If anyone has links to where to get improved stronger clutch packs from please post I know they exist I was just unable to find where they are sold
and finally the last thing you can do is an aftermarket trans controller there is only one choice I know of and it has not been completely tested on a 41TE/a604 is Megashift controller using a GPOI board and making it your self it was shown to change gears and drive the car but after that initial success it was never really looked into beyond that
here is the megashift site MegaShift - (c) 2004, 2012 Bowling and Grippo
If any one has any thing to add or correct me on please post lets try and get some info on the 41TE/a604 in one place
Ok we all know the a604 can fail even with the mighty 142hp the stock 3.0L makes but there are things you can do to help
Let’s start off with just maintenance and preventative mods to help it live longer
The first is to get the firm ware updated at a dealer. starting in 1992 Chrysler started phasing in a TCM that could be flashed with new programming. If you have an older car you might be able to swap in the newer style TCM from a 93 or 92 they seem to have the same plug I have not tried to see if it will work but I plan to when I get the car running again
The second is change your fluid with ATF +3 or +4 depending on what it has all ready and a new mopar filter with the anti foaming additive this alone allowed me to drive my car for another year until it fully gave out
A good external trans cooler coupled with the factory trans cooler will also help. you want the fluid to go though the factory cooler first then the external cooler the factory radiator cooler helps heat up the fluid in the winter and helps it get up to the proper operating temp quicker and puts less strain on the trans fluid pump. Any good quality 6 row cooler will work like this one Flex-a-lite 4116 - Flex-a-lite TransLife Transmission Coolers - Overview - SummitRacing.com or the factory external cooler form the cargo caravans if you see one in a scrap yard
put an external filter in line after the coolers. Just a oil filter relocation kit will work with a screw on filter like this Summit Racing SUM-G4985-1 - Summit Racing® Oil Filter Relocation Kits - Overview - SummitRacing.com change that filter when ever you change the engine oil and top off the trans change the internal filter at the factory 30k-40k mile interval.
the Diff pin is also a weak point you can weld the pin in place or get the diff pin hold brackets both work fine but for $7 the diff pin retainer is not that bad in cost http://www.transmissionpartsusa.com...tial_pin_retainer_bracket_p/500-00055957g.htm
And finally the updated solenoid pack Chrysler put out in 2004 it should be made by Borg and Warner. It runs quieter but that is not the main thing it also works better and quicker then the older one and is more reliable and does not get clogged up as easily
And now that your trans is running in the best shape it can and all the maintenance and preventative care is done we can get into performance to help the a604/41TE to hold power starting with the easy things first
A shift kit or shift improver kit. like the transgo one part number SK604. Helps shorten the piston movements and helps the fluid divert faster and engage the clutches better also helps increase pressure so the clutches hold better
also with the shift kit you can modify your VB by enlarging some holes yu can do one or the toher or both. both would give the best results here is a the instructions from the wiki
Next performance mod is a LSD there are 2 that I know the phantom grip wich is 2 blocks of metal with some springs that push out or the OBX torsion unit. the torsion unit is the one for the 5 speed you will need a shim just like on the 3-speed. witht eh phantom grip to help it last longer get the side gears it rides on machined flat
Shorter gear ratios the a604/41TE has had many different gear ratios over the years depending on vehicle and engine option here is a list
3.8L 3.45
3.3L 3.6
3.0L 3.6
2.5L 3.9
2.4L 3.9
2.0L 4.1
Higher stall TC there is companies that will make you one if someone has a list or some links to where one could buy a performance 41TE torque converter and what stall speed that would be awesome. converters can be found here http://shop.rezlo.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=39&zenid=40e0bb1a2b062773fc30d47bd0e37cda
a full rebuild with the later parts found in 2004+ 41TE’s they have improved hard parts and other updates Chrysler has done over the years. If anyone has links to where to get improved stronger clutch packs from please post I know they exist I was just unable to find where they are sold
and finally the last thing you can do is an aftermarket trans controller there is only one choice I know of and it has not been completely tested on a 41TE/a604 is Megashift controller using a GPOI board and making it your self it was shown to change gears and drive the car but after that initial success it was never really looked into beyond that
here is the megashift site MegaShift - (c) 2004, 2012 Bowling and Grippo
If any one has any thing to add or correct me on please post lets try and get some info on the 41TE/a604 in one place