Buying my first auto, things to look for

[SHEARER_TSI]

Hello, I am going ot go look at a 91 awd with an auto on saturday. The guy says the car has a rebuilt trans with a 4000 stall. I was wondering what kind of things I should look for to make sure it not a piece of yo know what. I am not very familiar with the auto stuff. Thanks

 

[clipto]

Well the only really way to tell is to pull out the trans and look at it. I have seen stock auto trans take a beating and make 600hp. Even I beat the crap out of my auto trans daily and have only done regular maintanace on it.Just run a aftermarket trans cooler and you will be set as long as the trans your looking at is rebuilt right.

 

[SHEARER_TSI]

Oh sorry, I am not looking for proof of a built trans but what to look for to make sure the trans is not on it's way out. I have never driven an auto dsm before, what dhould it feel like from a stop with a 4000 stall?

Also can you recommend a good trans cooler for it?

 

[Car Cannibal]

Ask if there is a TCU Eprom in the car, it's possible the seller might not know but that's a nice option if it did have one since they're around $100 used and ideal for getting 100% line pressure WOT shifts. Personally not a fan of the shift boxes. If there isn't a TCU eprom in the car and there's no shift box etc you're not going to feel crisp shifts cruising around, probably not even at WOT really. Easy to fix though with a TCU chip from Foreign Muscle.

Ask who made the converter, the only company that makes a true 4000 stall for us in a 1G is Sinister Speed. You can prove the stall speed by laying on the brake while hitting the gas pedal and seeing where it goes rpm wise until it stops building psi and rpm. The smaller turbo's build boost much easier so 4000 is practical on a 16G with an 11" restall or like a 58-66mm with the Sinister 10".

Ask about trans fluid change intervals and what filter they used when they did it. Might tell you more about if they took care of it. Stock filter is bigger and better FWIW.

3 bolt axles are in the early Auto's so don't be alarmed.

Power/Economy button just changes the shift rpm, not a huge deal.

FWIW, autos had the smaller turbo/cams/injectors just in case something looks out of the ordinary.

 

[doubleclutch99]

Also look at the fluid. it should look bright red and some what transparent. always remember the more brown the fluid is the more green it's going to cost you. happy hunting