PDA

View Full Version : Longevity



Bradley G
12-24-2010, 04:26 AM
Recently while Lonnie Doll reworked my Marauder for some additional boost , we were in the midst of doing several data logging test drives to correct any drivibilitiy or issues with the shifting and convertor lock up , he made some comments I thought I would share.
The convertor on my 2004 with 104K will not lock up with any significant throttle any longer.
Lonnie knew this for the way he observed the car behaved and high trans temps we were seeing .
Lonnie said that Jerry W. made his suspisions know early on as to how our transmissions and convertors would hold up over time, especially when the forced induction and high stall convertors started to appear.


He, being the designer had ideas where some of these weakness's would eventually turn into failures.
I contributed to my toasted convertor, cause sometimes I forget to shift out of overdrive, a full count before I drop the hammer.
I read many posts over the years, and have had some personal experience seeing high horsepower cars to bone stock cars , with failing transmissions , it is really hard to predict when these incidents may occur by time, mileage, or service intervals.That being said;
Both times a friends Trilogy powered Marauder went down, he said he was street racing at the P O F(won both times)

Lonnies' suggestion was to install a trans cooler to deal with the increased trans temps.I hope to get convertor that will stand up to the additional power soon.
So for a model that lasted two years and has two slightly different transmissions and what five different catch codes?, You have to wonder when is your turn?
Some how, I must have gotten skipped :P

massacre
12-24-2010, 05:52 AM
.....PM sent.....

LANDY
12-24-2010, 07:45 AM
I say is time for a better t/c. Is that your stock trans at 104k miles?

Spectragod
12-24-2010, 08:15 AM
I had Darrin @ BC build mine before it blew up. He replaced the convertor with a Circle D and added a trans cooler. He is the only person I have met who would stand behind his trans rebuild on a supercharged car..... for 2 years at that.

BUCKWHEAT
12-24-2010, 11:57 AM
Hey Brad, after I broke the hardened shaft, I had Darrin do a 12k mile 4R75W that I had sitting on the shelf. He put in a trans oil cooler, skipping the radiator entirely. My trans oil guage now barely gets off of nothing. Previously the engine oil and the trans oil temps were about the same at summer operating temps. He should have some ideas for you.

BUCKWHEAT
12-24-2010, 12:00 PM
Oh, yea. While Darrin was in there, we added a TC that will take the higher RPM so I can add 600 rpm or so to readline when I go with stronger internals. It runs fine on the street.

Bradley G
12-24-2010, 12:09 PM
Yeah, it's time!
It is J modded with the springs removed and was rebuilt under warranty @ 45K by my greedy service manager, looking to keep the shop busy.
He said your warranty deductible is less than the trans service so we rebuilt it, pay the cashier!:banana2:

I say is time for a better t/c. Is that your stock trans at 104k miles?

tbone
12-24-2010, 02:36 PM
The real question is how long you will last Brad......

MM_BKK
12-24-2010, 02:52 PM
Two words: Triple Disc

LANDY
12-24-2010, 06:42 PM
Two words: Triple Disc amen........

EMAS
12-24-2010, 07:14 PM
My trans oil guage now barely gets off of nothing. Previously the engine oil and the trans oil temps were about the same at summer operating temps. He should have some ideas for you.

That is not good too cold of fluid isn't good for the trans, just as too hot isn't. The best operating temp is around 180. That gets it to the temp the fluids viscosity was set up for as well as being hot enough to purge any moisture that gets in there due to condensation. Add a thermostat or route it back through the cooler in the rad.

LANDY
12-24-2010, 08:46 PM
That is not good too cold of fluid isn't good for the trans, just as too hot isn't. The best operating temp is around 180. That gets it to the temp the fluids viscosity was set up for as well as being hot enough to purge any moisture that gets in there due to condensation. Add a thermostat or route it back through the cooler in the rad. my car on winter won't go over 150* and summer I saw it at 180* once. But then again the car is on its 3rd one. With 65k miles.

Joe Walsh
12-24-2010, 08:55 PM
I added a fan cooled B&M stacked plate type cooler in line with the OEM cooler.
When my transmission gets to 180 degrees, the fan kicks on and keeps the temperatures at 180.
My transmission is still running like a champ.
(I do kick off the overdrive whenever I am about to punch it at highway speeds...thanks to the warning form members on this site!...:beer:)

Bradley G
12-24-2010, 10:02 PM
Good point!
It would be difficult to manage rite now if it were to fail, anything is possible.
The real question is how long you will last Brad......