Hot Rod

1996–2000 Honda Civic

Shift Feel Modifications
Civic
T
by Mike Van Dyke
he Honda Civic has become a Figure 2
popular vehicle for modifica-
tion by import performance
enthusiasts. While the manual transaxle
is usually the choice of the hardcore
performance enthusiast, there are quite
a few automatic-equipped Civic own-
ers looking for “performance” shifts.
If you do any high performance work
at your shop, you’re likely to have an
automatic-equipped Civic owner come
in asking you about making the shifts
firmer. In this issue, we’re going to go
over a few simple modifications for
firmer shifts and TCC apply on the
A4RA / B4RA transaxle used in the
1996–2000 Civic.
This article takes a conservative Adjustment
approach to making the shifts firmer. Plug
You want to be wary of making one
of these units shift brutally hard, as its
main weakness is the clutch drums. Linear Solenoid
If you have the unit apart, check all
Remove linear solenoid to adjust end plug
the drums, specifically the first gear
clutch drum. It’s common for this drum transaxles, you already know that you to adjust shift feel without going inside
to crack right around the center, just have to remove and disassemble the the unit. This can be done by adjusting
outside the recess where the shaft nut is transaxle to reach the valve body. Both the linear solenoid, shown in figure 2.
located (figure 1). you and your customer need to be This adjustment is sensitive; it’s best
Before we dive in… keenly aware of this fact. Shift feel to start with 1/8 to 1/4 turn clockwise,
If you’ve worked on many Honda and firmness can be a subjective issue, then road test to assess the results. Keep
Figure 1 and the only way in mind that you’ll have to remove the
to be certain your solenoid to adjust it.
customer is going Adjusting the linear solenoid is a
to be happy with simple modification and is easily revers-
the results is after ible, but it has one major drawback:
the modifica- firmer shifts can be achieved up to a
tions have been point, but too much adjustment can have
performed. The negative effects on TCC control. That’s
customer needs to because the linear solenoid isn’t only
understand that, used to control shift feel; it’s also used
if the unit has to to control the torque converter clutch
come back out full apply timing. Cranking up the lin-
to fine tune shift ear solenoid can lead to an abrupt TCC
feel, the labor apply and lugging the engine, especially
isn’t free. under light throttle acceleration.
With that When you increase the linear
said, a simple solenoid pressure, instead of having
first approach is partial TCC apply at light throttle, it

26 GEARS May/June 2006

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Superiorplcd.indd 27 4/11/06 3:28:11 PM
 Hot Rod Civic
Figure 3

CPC Valve Lineup

CPC Valve
Spring

Secondary Valve Body

Always Remove CPC valve for cleaning and to check for broken spring

can go straight to full apply as soon as
TCC is enabled. When this happens the
engine will lug down, the dashboard
will rattle, and acceleration will be
poor until vehicle speed increases, or
until you press down far enough on the
throttle for the PCM to command the
TCC to release.
After adjusting the linear solenoid,
be sure to drive the vehicle at light
to medium throttle to see if there are
any negative effects on torque converter
clutch operation.
Let’s Dive In!
To get even firmer shifts without
TCC side effects, or to modify TCC apply,
we have to go inside the unit. There are
a couple of ways to approach modifying
shift feel: accumulator springs, increase
line pressure, etc. The easiest and most
effective modification I’ve found is to
simply adjust the CPC (Clutch Pressure
Control) valve in the secondary valve
body. (figure 3). The CPC valve is con-
trolled by linear solenoid pressure, but
the benefit here is adjusting the CPC
valve won’t affect TCC control.
It’s very common for the CPC valve
spring to break, so you’ll want to remove
it for inspection. You’ll need a 5 mm
hex key wrench and a 10 mm box end
wrench to adjust or remove the CPC
valve (figure 4):
• Hold the 5 mm hex key wrench and
loosen and remove the 10 mm lock
bolt.
• Measure and record the depth of the
adjustment plug so it can be reas-
sembled to the same position.

Figure 4

10mm Box End

Wrench
5mm Hex Key
Wrench
Hold the adjustment plug with 5mm hex key and Measure and record adjustment
loosen lock bolt with 10mm box end wrench plug depth before disassembly

28 GEARS May/June 2006

26Civic-MikeVD.indd Sec1:28 4/17/06 10:23:04 AM

 Figure 5

Lock-Up Valve Body Spacer Plate

Turning in
the CPC valve TCC Release Orifice
adjustment
an additional
1/8 to Enlarge to
0.100”
1/4 turn
clockwise
will provide
moderately
firmer shifts.
TCC modification: Drill TCC release orifice to 0.100”

The CPC valve spring isn’t available separately from procedures.

Honda; you must purchase the complete secondary valve Turning in the CPC valve adjustment an additional 1/8 to
body. A replacement spring is available from Sonnax, part 1/4 turn clockwise will provide moderately firmer shifts. 1/2
number 88894X. The Sonnax spring is a little different from turn to 1 turn clockwise will create very firm shifts. Blocking
the OEM, so be sure to follow their installation and adjustment the valve inboard will get you into the 1–2 chirp zone. Keep

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GEARS May/June 2006 29

26Civic-MikeVD.indd Sec1:29 4/17/06 10:23:42 AM

 Hot Rod Civic
Figure 6

Torque Converter Install 0.150” Shim

Check Valve
Valve in first,
Spring on top
Lock Up Control Valve

Install 0.200” Shim

Regulator Valve Body

TCC modification: Shim the lock up control valve spring 0.200” and shim the torque converter check valve spring 0.150”

in mind that turning up the CPC adjustment will also make the
engagements firmer.
TCC Modifications
1. Enlarge the TCC release exhaust orifice to 0.100”
(figure 5).
2. Increase the spring pressure about 40% on the Lock-
Up Control Valve (figure 6) by shimming the spring
about 0.200”. This can be accomplished by dropping
a G4AEL valve body orifice cup or some washers
inside the valve in the spring pocket. To check the
spring pressure on a scale, push the valve down over
the spring until just before the end of the valve touch-
es the scale: It should have about 2 pounds of spring
pressure.
3. Increase the spring pressure on the Torque Converter
Check Valve (figure 6) by 30% by dropping some
washers inside of the torque converter check valve to
shim up the spring about 0.150”.
That just about wraps up our fun for this issue. Remember,
don’t get too crazy with this unit… at least, not until someone
starts making billet clutch drums!

Remember, don’t get too crazy with this unit…

at least, not until someone starts making billet clutch drums!.

30 GEARS May/June 2006

26Civic-MikeVD.indd Sec1:30 4/17/06 10:24:03 AM

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