Prolonging Auto Trans Life

[Nizmo]

Hey everyone,

My car is about to get some major work done on it (*fingers crossed) and should be doing about 300rwhp after finished. I've heard rumours that the auto trans can only cope with 300 - 350 rwhp ..... any idea of prolonging the life and helping the auto trans cope with extra horsepower (other than getting a manual conversion )

Any ideas ... tried n tested theories etc would be appreciated.

Lauren

[SteveL]

Fit an auto trans cooler - the biggest one you can find and fit in the available space.

[knore]

Dont actually use the gears, leave it in drive all the time. A mate used the gears alot and gearbox shit itself after a few months.

What are you getting done Lauren? Cos im in the same boat

[Nizmo]

Thanks Steve

Knore ... currently make 246rwhp ( well used to before the big bang) with Blitz EBC, SAFC II, HKS Airpod and a Bosch fuel pump.

It is expected to make 280rwhp with an FMIC (which is waiting to go in) and dump pipes. Also going to have to rebuild the motor and put forgies in ..... not cos i want to ... cos i have too (went "Bang" at drags)

Ive been informed theres an aftermarket turbo waiting for my car .... not sure what type yet.

[Zedzilla]

Hey everyone,

My car is about to get some major work done on it (*fingers crossed) and should be doing about 300rwhp after finished. I've heard rumours that the auto trans can only cope with 300 - 350 rwhp ..... any idea of prolonging the life and helping the auto trans cope with extra horsepower (other than getting a manual conversion )

Any ideas ... tried n tested theories etc would be appreciated.  

Lauren

The main thing is not to red line when changing up all the time, if you drive hard allot. If you do this allot you will stretch all the bands and stuff your clutch packs.

If you have been driving an auto for a while you'll know and feel when you're about to change up, just back off a little then come back on the gas.

All this said, if you are going to continue modding your ride, then be prepared for it to let go. I learned this the hard way. If you're gonna go for more kw's after this I'd get it serviced and maybe get your torque converter cleaned. It's pricey but better safe than sorry.

Yeah, and a tranmission cooler is a must as Steve said.

Cheers, Byron

[YRL05S]

As suggested before fit a transcooler, preferably front mounted, maybe where the original intercooler sits, depending on your plumbing.

Also have the transmission serviced. At my old work they had a flush machine where about 15 litres of ATF was pumped through the transmission. This helps preserve longevity of the transmission.

If it lets go, get it built with a small converter (something around 2500 -3000 rpm).

[MJ]

Heat is the biggest killer of the auto trans........get a big trans cooler and dont go smashing through the gears or do big burnouts and it should keep up ok.

[Nizmo]

i never change gears manually ..... only to do motorkhanas. Although my car has changed at 7000rpm just with the power button on.

it gets driven reasonably hard ...... but not thrashed to buggery.

How much would i be looking at for one of these auto trans services?

Ive also heard to replace your auto box its only about $200 anyway cos noone wants them.

[knore]

Yeh auto boxes arent expensive if you know where to look

Im also interested in how much it is to;

1. Do a full service on the gearbox IE Flush and check

2. Upgrade the autobox by putting better internals etc

How much is it to fit a shift kit with higher stall converter??

[MJ]

i dont think it would be a good idea to get a high stall converter unless ur serious about drag........it ruins your fuel economy and i dont think it would be good for day to day driving with traffic everywhere.

[paulr33]

highstall at 6000

[Nizmo]

yeah i did the ask around regarding hi-stalls a while back ...... and basically same feedback as MJ's ..... not brillant for day to day driving which 80% of the time my car is used for. Its first time at the drags i managed to break it on its second run so i dont think it'll ever be a hardcore drag car LOL

Totally unrelated but i wonder if the triptronic R34's also have a power limit where transmission packs up n goes home.

[paulr33]

get some quotes on a transmission cooler and also look at a stage 2 shift kit for the auto trans. this will provide some good launches, also invest in a pineapple kit. also recommend a good 3" exhaust and front/dump pipe of equivalent size if you dont already have these

[paulr33]

what "broke" exactly on your 2nd run?

[Nizmo]

got the 3'inch zorst ..... dump pipes be done after engine rebuild. Stage 2 shift kit? where do you buy these/ get more info on?

engine broke ...... 2nd runs started blowing black n blue smoke .... by third run the whole 1/4 was covered in it by my car. Saturday did a compression test .... number 4 leaking severly so some new pistons (investing in forged) are in order ..... other damage to engine if any will not know til it gets pulled out. Theres was a shit load of oil in my intake *sob* car went thru 1/2 tank full of oil just that night.

[Dsturbd]

Get the biggest one that fits..

[paulr33]

got the 3'inch zorst ..... dump pipes be done after engine rebuild. Stage 2 shift kit? where do you buy these/ get more info on?  

engine broke ...... 2nd runs started blowing black n blue smoke .... by third run the whole 1/4 was covered in it by my car. Saturday did a compression test .... number 4 leaking severly so some new pistons (investing in forged) are in order ..... other damage to engine if any will not know til it gets pulled out. Theres was a shit load of oil in my intake *sob* car went thru 1/2 tank full of oil just that night.

your local auto shop should be able to provide a quote and/or specs details on a kit, just find a good reputable auto trann specialist. kit includes a different torque converter and some other mixed goodies, not sure on full details. will increase shifting speed on the auto box, probably make it run a bit more cooler/more efficient and also smoother. you probably break traction a bit more with a stage 2 shift kit. its a common upgrade for the v8 auto's who want some more power,

i *believe* the tuner (dudes who fit the shift kit) can also adjust the shift level between a normal shift torque split (ie: the stock shifting level) to full which is somewhere up near the "crack the dashboard" shift level when it changes cogs in the auto box

hope this helps

[Nizmo]

yes it does thankyou! well worth looking into me thinks!

[paulr33]

an optional component of the stage 2 kit is the stall converter aka high stall, i believe

hold the rev's at set rpm and when you accel you accellerate

basically adjustable idle, instead of idle @ 800rpm you set it to say 2200 and as you sit at the lights your car is 2200rpm until you unleash fury by flooring it, you'd need a way to be able to turn it on/off during driving. with a stalled take off, you'll already have boost and wont loose it when you accel as you dont drop the power out via the clutch, you keep what ever boost you have and accel, probably not recommend for daily driver

[paulr33]

if you want more performance and its an auto, stage 2 shift kit and a transmission cooler..

if in doubt ask the auto tranny place