Automatic Turbo Tranny failure/slipping

[runuover2]

After learning the DSM tranny isn't anything worth bragging about as far as strength in the tubo models..and my auto tranny going out at 60K miles. It was time for a rebuild. I was told that a tranny rebuild by the local tranny shops would only make it at stock performanc elevels and wouldnt hold much more than 210-220hp....not good when the motor does 210 stock. A lil' internet research proved i can build an automatic tranny to hold upwards 350hp+. how is this possible you ask? Heat strengthining, Carbon/Kevlar parts, high performance torque converters, and boring out some holes to make the tranny flow more fluid than stock. The company Pro-Tech transmission in NY performed all the major tasks, the local shop did the installs. The tranny upgrade lowered my 1/4 mile time by almost a second, shifts just as well as stock, but puts the power to the ground like it never had before. The local shop asked what all had been done to the tranny b/c the dsm tranny is known for its failure. They performed a flow test on the tranny after the install and it flowed almost double what a stock new one will. Is this low stock flow the reason for failure..im unsure..but like money..more IS better.

 

[DSM_Alpha]

I was wondering around how much Pro-tech charged to mod the tranny and what kind of torque converter, shift-kit etc. you used.

Thanks,
Alpha

 

[runuover2]

I went with the complete performance rebuild, and the installation of a high performance torque converter. the specs and more info on this procedure is detailed on their website at www.protechtransmissions.com Living in KS it wasnt exactly cheap to have a tranny sent to NY and back. the rebuild i beleive was around $3,600.00 and about 250-300ish for shipping through yellow freight. WHile researching the company i found a company who the pro-tech owner used to work for, they said his shop was nice and he does reputable work. Pro-Tech handles mainly Supra's and 300z's..I was told a few DSM products have been in there but mainly highly modified street cars.

 

[ninja0331]

honestly...$4000 including shipping plus the extra installation/uninstall is just a little bit too much. Funny how the transmission is probably worth more than the car itself

 

[runuover2]

You can never sell a car for what its worth anyways, I paid 10,9 or 9,*** for the car when i bought it w/ 50K. The car itself is in mint condition minus a few door dings "not so nice" people have managed to give me. I want a fast car, If I had to get another car..It would probably be an eclipse or talon again...so building a transmission thats bulletproof and can hold any future mods I want to do..this seemed to be the smartest. Alot of $, but it beats putting in another POS dsm tranny.

 

[NightmareDSM]

OK I don't know whats worse the someone telling you that the stock auto tranny only hold 210hp or the shop that charges 4000K for a rebuilt tranny.

1. The stock tranny will hold more than 300hp stock! I'm runnin prolly 260 now and I plan to be jumping to 350 in the next month and I have talked to several DSM shops that know what they are talking about and it will take minimal support mods to do this.

2. 4000 for a rebuilt tranny is insane! My advice is find a respectable tranny shop and buy the level 10 kit for 480 bucks and have them put it in. OR if you really must have a new tranny level 10 sells a "bulletproof" tranny for like 3000 bucks shipped.

Keep in mind that you have to take care of your tranny! If you don't support it then it will not support you. KEEP IT COOL, and spend the money for the tranny cooler, and other support mods.

 

[97GSTAT]

I've done alot of research over all this! And Level 10 and Protech sell the same kits in general. If I was going to do a mild built tranny I'd go with Level10. But if I was going full race then I'd go with Protech. Level 10's race tranny is a rip off for 3K, it's just there rebuld kit and valve body upgrade. Protech's race tranny might be more but it holds more power and is designed for that. I went with a Translab shift kit, Alto end Clutch kit, and Level 10 TC for my tranny. In this form my tranny should hold 500 ponies. I'll never get that much power to try it but from what I've been told it can. Basically do the reasearch before you start saying something isn't worth the money. IMO the Level 10 rebuild kit is a little over priced for what you get, especially considering how much a translab and alto kits are.

 

[runuover2]

I spoke w/ the reputable tranny shop in my town. I was told Level 10's kit isnt much different than a standard rebuild kit that they use. Protech does other modifications to increase the tranny flow and cooling effeciency. If I recall correctly it was some place like Mach V that told me the stock tranny was not very strong. Yeah yours may hold 300HP no prob..but anything over stock level puts the wear and tear on it much faster. DSM trannys all suck regardless, after you hit 60-70K expect something to go wrong. Before you go bashing my tranny job, do more research. I contacted the company who sells most the kits to Protech, I found out accidentally where he used to work for (the owner of Protech) and found out why he went out on his own. Yea it was alot of money, but i drive happier knowing what was done and that i did it right.

 

[runuover2]

$3600 for a rebuilt tranny...not bad

The reputable shop said $2100 to rebuild but above stock HP, he didnt want to warrant the tranny for much more than 6mo b/c lookin in the engine he could tell I drove harder and faster than alot of people usually do.

Another $1500 for upgraded parts and a faster 1/4 mile..not bad

Another option junk yard tranny of unknown driver history for 1900, drop one of those in once a year after i tear it up, plus another 500-800 for havin the tranny installed and removed.

 

[doug]

Originally posted by runuover2
DSM trannys all suck regardless,

I also have to disagree with you on this one. A lot of guys on the AT DSM list (and ones that know a lot more about it than me) say that the auto tranny is pretty well-built (better than the 5-speed) and doesn't take too much to make it even stronger-- just the end clutch upgrade and shift kit. I'm sure having it redone like you did is even better, but I can't afford that and feel that I don't need to.

 

[invadergst]

I have to agree with all who say the stock auto tranny on the 2G's suck. From many people I have talked to and known personally including myself has experienced the tranny taking a dump when you at more ponies. Before I had a buddy who kept getting the tranny rebuilt back to stock specs and it would go out after a month. So I went another route. I bought the Translab shift kit, the Level 10 PTS kit, Level 10 tranny cooler and the Level 10 High Stall TC. Yes I believe Level 10 is pretty overpriced on their items. Espcially the valve body mod for over $650 when you can get the translab shift kit for $50. I bought the other kits from them because I knew of no other place that offered better than stock upgrades for our DSM's. The High stall TC is $500 and that is about what everyone charges. But after hearing about Protech that is a good thing to know if this tranny does not hold up. Do they carry kits or do they only perform the work? I would like to know what they have to offer. People may say $3600 is expensive, but for all the money I have under the hood I really could care less. All I care about is my car is reliable with all the mods it has done to it. Sure people can say it is expensive if they run the common 16G turbo with some 550's, but I am talking about the people who have a lot invested with alot of power to support. The 20G, FP Green, Red, T3/T4 guys out there. You know there is a huge difference.

 

[runuover2]

They carry the kit, but last I knew of they did not sell the kits to individuals or tranny shops. I beleive this is b/c the had to do some treating of some kind to the transmission that was done in house. They do perform the work. I checked w/ some other tranny shop in the area that the guy used to work for and they told me something about the job that he does and the type of kit he uses is the same as theirs (bla bla bla)...they may possibly sell the parts off to you. When i needed tranny work, nobody in town had performed any sort of tranny upgrade, and level 10 was unheard of to me despite the magazines and posts I'd read up on. Protech will also send email or on cd, pictures of the work as it was performed, i left for vacation the week my tranny arrived, and they do not install or repair/replace anything that was not specified in the order w/o having you ok..this delayed the process a lil for me...but I was glad they did that vs. Mitsubishi dealerships that put new parts on your car when all you wanted was an oil change that soon becomes a $400 all day project at their shop. It was $ well spent knowing the tranny and converter are tougher than before, and its pleasing when the good local tranny shop is impressed w/ the work of another shop and askes for their # and contact info.

 

[invadergst]

runuover2, jsut wondering if your Protech tranny is still running strong. Well my Level 10 setup took a dump. Probably going the Protech route. Just wondering how yours is still running.

 

[runuover2]

The Protech Tranny is still doing great. Occasional downshifts when going downhill or at odd times bother me, but that was apparent before the Protech unit. I credit this shifting deal to the cars computer. I've read that it has a "shift learning" type of deal that teaches the car to shift int he manner that you drive...so I'm not concerned with this. Guess I should have bought a 5 speed if I don't like how it shifts. The only problem I have with the Protech unit is thiking..I have no $$, did I really need the nice tranny? Good luck.

 

[white20gfwd]

i am new at this so you guys have to deal with me for a few mins. i have a 95 tsi fwd auto and the tranny took a #@%#@%#@%#@% about a month ago. i have a few engine mods and didnt think it would go liek it did. well enough of the small talk. i just wanted to know about the different tranny kits. i really didnt get a good idea from the posts about what tranny kit i should go with. i do have a translab kit and end clutches. i dont want to put in a tranny that isnt goign to hold up. please someone help me out.

 

[invadergst]

Well from what it says you are running a 20G turbo. That is a lot more than stock. I also run a 20G on my 95 GS-T FWD. If you are going to do it yourself get the Alto Red Master kit. It's around $300 for the set and $120 for the seals, gaskets, etc. I can get the whole package fro aroudn $400. Otherwise go out and get the Protorque tranny if you want the whole thing assembled and done right. Whatever you do do not do Level 10. Benn there and done that and didn't do me any good. There kit is $450 and it took a dump on my 20G setup. The Alto kit has better clutches and gears. How long were you running the 20G turbo until your tranny went out?

 

[white20gfwd]

i was running the 20g for about a month when it went. the car does have 70k on it but i didnt think it would let got so soon. a little old russian lady had it before me and had no clue what it was. where can i get the Alto red master kit from? i do all my work with help form my fater and friends so the install wont be that bad. im not like the local honda guys who have tons of momey from their moms to have people do their work for them. is the Alto internals? i dont know what the kit includes. also i was thinking about a higher stall converter because my car has jack crap off the line. you didnt say anything about your car having one just wanted to know if it was worht it. any input would be great full. also if anyone has a used tranny let me know. the case broke on mine so now i have to find one of them.
thanks for the help guys

 

[invadergst]

I can get the Alto Red Master kit locally from you. Not sure who sells them online. The 20G is what took out the tranny. I have a Level 10 high stall. Stalls at like 3000 rpm. I don't want it anymore. I am going to get a billet high stall where it is lighter than the stock TC.

 

[white20gfwd]

if you can get the kit for me how much is it and how long would it take for u to get it? also you said you wanted to get a lighter torque converter, if you liked the level 10 tc would you sell it to me? one more thing do you drive your car on the highway or just at the strip? i was wondering if you have a high stall converter that it wouldnt work wiht the highway use. im not sure if i am correct on the way a higher stall converter works but my guess was that the tc slips till 3000rpm or whatever your stall converter is set at. well if your car drives at 2300rpm on the highway and your tc stall is 300rpm wount that be slipping and not give you any gas milage? i would like to know any info on my confussion. thanks alot

 

[white20gfwd]

my father and i were just talking about the tranny problem i am having and he looked over the other posts on this page and said that noone had been specific about what had broken on their tranny. i would like to know where other peoples trannys had broke. mine broke in the differential part of the tranny by the drivers half shaft. by the way the the case is split, it looks like the diff took a crap or whatever and pushed the case appart into two. i know it sounds confusing but if someone can tell me where their tranny broke that might help. i also noticed that when i put atf back in the tranny that it did move but only for a min before the fluid ran out. some help on this topic would also be helpful.

 

[invadergst]

Well that's because most people's tranny's go bad because the gears give out. Yours is a whole new situation. You are pretty screwed if your case cracked. You need to buy a whole new transmission. YOu cannot rebuild it if it is cracked that badly. It probably had a small crack in it and after time it gave out.

 

[white20gfwd]

i know i need a new tranny i just wanted to know about tranny kits and high stall converters for the new tranny i have to get. i dont want anythign to tear out when i put the new tranny and whatever kit i get in. i just want to know what kit i should buy and what stall converter and what rpm i should get that all. sorry if i confused anyone.

 

[invadergst]

I told you above in the previous posts on what tranny kit you need. The Alto Red Master kit. A High stall TC would be recommended to get something that stalls around 3000-35000 stall. It really depends on high up you want to go. With a FWD I would recommend in that range otherwise you'll just burn rubber.