after 5,000 miles in a customers car our experimental direct clutch apply ring has shown itself to be a very important addition to the hi performance 2004r transmission.this ring is installed into the direct clutch piston and eliminates the factory installed wire ring .this improves heat transfer from the clutch pack to the drum.this was the main reason for its creation .secondly it applies the clutch more evenly by distributing transmitted force equally into the lower steel plate.a GREAT improvement in clutch apply has been noted from the beginning.also it fits tight into the piston so no need to worry about it spinning in the drum.it has been kept to a minumum based on the witness marks it has left behind in the piston.we will cnc turning them soon and they will be available shortly.we are currently working on a new overdrive piston as well.