Defyant Transmission: Busted

[DEFYANT]

While cruising around Carlisle last weekend, Defyant Marauder developed a shifty 2-3 problem. I knew it was a matter of time. The rebuild I had done in 2007 wasn't quite right. I was hoping this problem was a simple fix.....like the filter fell into the pan, or she was low on fluid.

Nope.

Fluid was full, smelled used, not burnt. Got home, dropped the pan, filter was still attached to the transmission. The red fluid had a nice silvery shine to it. Yep. Not good. Poured same into waste container and found metal flakes. Not good again.

So I put it all back together dumped in 7qts of Mercron V and began the search for a reputable builder. This site has lots of info, but it's several years old. I like what I see from Monster Transmission and FB Transmissions in Bayshore NY. If money were no concern, a 6 sp manual swap would be fun!

I prefer to have it installed and dialed in by the shop. There is nothing worse than busting your ass installing the transmission and it not being "right". If it were a stock standard swap - no problem. Not with a performance unit.

So any recommendations on a builder / installer around Maryland? The transmission probably has a few miles left in it, but I'll probably get a trailer and drag it if the distance is far.

Thoughts?

[Zack]

Talk to Blown3.8

[ctrlraven]

DOOM used a guy in VA for his. I think it's a guy the Blown3.8 recommends.

Cheeseheadbob also had his rebuilt, could always contact him and ask.

[Spectragod]

TCI 6 speed?

[DEFYANT]

TCI 6 speed?

:drool:

http://www.adtr.net/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=220

[Blown3.8]

ATS in Newington, VA. Phil is the name. He has a marauder too.

[Ms. Denmark]

So sorry to hear this, Charlie! Best of luck getting her repaired. Please keep us posted. Good to see you guys at Carlisle, BTW.

[DEFYANT]

Thanks for info guys. I appreciate it. A transmission guy who OWNS a Marauder....? Hard to beat that. Is he the guy who put the transmission together for The Shermanator?

[DEFYANT]

So sorry to hear this, Charlie! Best of luck getting her repaired. Please keep us posted. Good to see you guys at Carlisle, BTW.

Likewise Paula. See you again soon.

[justbob]

:drool:



http://www.adtr.net/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=220


It is fun. But this ^^ is old school and taking shortcuts.

1) Go hydraulic and don't look back.

2) Get a guarantee the output shaft elevation will be unchanged from the modded cross member and you won't explode driveshafts being supercharged and going for a WOT blast. Or plan on building new from scratch like I did.

3) I would love to feel the shift pattern after the long modifying of the handle under the counsel. I would have to think it feels quite odd.

4) Go TR6060 and save over half the coin and build something easier on your leg and a better fitting shifter. (I shortened the factory shifter assembly only 1" IIRC) straight up she went and dead center.

This is my personal thoughts, and I applaud any vender who has done what he has done, especially using good parts. You just need to consider your power level and do some researching on what works best for you.

Mine had the weak spots (lousy driveshaft from a local, and rear needing more beefing) beat out of it in the first 1,000 miles and has since taken over 7,000 miles of thrashing and begs for more. :)

Or stay auto with zero headaches! < I suggest this. :P


Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

Buy it, Break it, Build it BETTER.
"Since 2004"

[DEFYANT]

It is fun. But this ^^ is old school and taking shortcuts.

1) Go hydraulic and don't look back.

2) Get a guarantee the output shaft elevation will be unchanged from the modded cross member and you won't explode driveshafts being supercharged and going for a WOT blast. Or plan on building new from scratch like I did.

3) I would love to feel the shift pattern after the long modifying of the handle under the counsel. I would have to think it feels quite odd.

4) Go TR6060 and save over half the coin and build something easier on your leg and a better fitting shifter. (I shortened the factory shifter assembly only 1" IIRC) straight up she went and dead center.

This is my personal thoughts, and I applaud any vender who has done what he has done, especially using good parts. You just need to consider your power level and do some researching on what works best for you.

Mine had the weak spots (lousy driveshaft from a local, and rear needing more beefing) beat out of it in the first 1,000 miles and has since taken over 7,000 miles of thrashing and begs for more. :)

Or stay auto with zero headaches! < I suggest this. :P


Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

Buy it, Break it, Build it BETTER.
"Since 2004"

Wow, good info here. This swap is not in the cards or bank roll for me. But someone else could use this. Thanks for the info! I'm going to get a decent unit to handle what I'm using the care for- cruising, road trips, occasional WOT blasts, maybe a run or three at the track, and perhaps another trip to the autocross venue. Who knows. I just wnat to do IT if I want too.

[Spectragod]

A retail price, but can be had for less....

http://www.tciauto.com/tc/6x-six-speed-transmission-package-small-block-ford-4-6-6-bolt-crank-bellhousing-paddle-shifterhtml/

[justbob]

A retail price, but can be had for less....

http://www.tciauto.com/tc/6x-six-speed-transmission-package-small-block-ford-4-6-6-bolt-crank-bellhousing-paddle-shifterhtml/


Man I wish! I thought a wise man, oh yeah, Zack.. Once told me the PCM only has four pin outs for four forward gears. :(

I would only assume piggy backing would be a tuning nightmare. Maybe not? Not my department.


Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

Buy it, Break it, Build it BETTER.
"Since 2004"

[joemama]

Thanks for info guys. I appreciate it. A transmission guy who OWNS a Marauder....? Hard to beat that. Is he the guy who put the transmission together for The Shermanator?

I just had my trans rebuilt by Hollywood Transmissions, in Hollywood, MD. The guy grew up in his dad's transmission shop and has opened his own. Dave Parks, and he is The Man. Mine shifts perfect now, I am putting down 519rwhp and my 2-3 shift at ~90mph spins the tires. Went to the track and broke into the 11s. I rest my case. The word is out that this guy is really particular so now there are a lot of show car/restoration/performance guys wanting him to do theirs. This guy sent me pics of the old parts, new parts, and really kept me posted. Not the fastest, not the cheapest, but the best, imo. http://www.hollywoodtransmissions.com/

[JoeBoomz]

We have on order a $2300 TCI Super Streetfighter 4R70W from summit. Swap TC, drop in, and go. Rated up to 1000 horsies. Free shipping to you in the US. Not so much for me in Canada. Figured we'd be paying almost as much on labor to get a rebuild anyway.

[DEFYANT]

I just had my trans rebuilt by Hollywood Transmissions, in Hollywood, MD. The guy grew up in his dad's transmission shop and has opened his own. Dave Parks, and he is The Man. Mine shifts perfect now, I am putting down 519rwhp and my 2-3 shift at ~90mph spins the tires. Went to the track and broke into the 11s. I rest my case. The word is out that this guy is really particular so now there are a lot of show car/restoration/performance guys wanting him to do theirs. This guy sent me pics of the old parts, new parts, and really kept me posted. Not the fastest, not the cheapest, but the best, imo. http://www.hollywoodtransmissions.com/

Thanks. I will give him a call.

[sailsmen]

joemama - do you have any pics or a description of where your meth jets are located? Do you have any data on the temp drop from the meth?