Patrick Ethridge

Hey guys, awesome site. I want to thank everyone in advance for giving me all these great ideas that will undoubtedly result in many arguments with my wife and nights laying in bed by myself. My children also thank you for not having to waste time with pesky college because dad will surely spend all their college cash on making his midlife crisis go fast...


Seriously though, I've got all the bolt-ons, so now looking at cam and stall. Car has 128,000 miles, and shifts good for now, but I'm wondering if I dare put a big stall on that tranny or if I need to make other plans. Buddy says I should just pick up a truck tranny and work on building that. I'm leaning toward using the tranny with a big stall until something fails. Curious what your advice would be....

demonspeed

iTrader: (7)

This would likely be my approach; however, with a couple things in mind: It's not a daily driver (IE: it will be OK if the car needs to stay down for an indefinite amount of time), or you don't care much about money from selling your used, stock transmission (that's still in one piece!).

Welcome to the site (I know the who "sleep alone" thing all too well; however, I sleep alone on the couch because she stays in the bed!).

Patrick Ethridge

Thanks. Not a DD, and I'd be sure to run a giant cooler so I'm hoping the tranny could hold up for quite a while. Sounds like a tune would get the shifting firm and that would help too. Every time I buy a part I'm met with silence for a couple days, I guess it's supposed to be punishment??

2000PewterT/A

I would run it with the trans the way it is now if you want to drive the car now, if not and you don't mind the car being down for a bit longer it can't hurt to get the trans built now so you don't have to worry about it later.

A.R. Shale Targa

iTrader: (2)

One of the prevalent thoughts that my tramsmission guys have shared with
me over the years is to do both the transmission and the converter at the
same time. Obviously if your trans had only 20, 30, or even 50 thousand Mi.
on it this could be argued however with you pushing a buck thirty it should
be gone through. Figure you spend 5, 7, or even 800 dollars on a stout and
high quality converter. If you just toss it in there (w/cooler as you mantioned
even with a quality tune to raise line pressure, raise and firm up shift points,
etc. you are now leaning on it pretty good. Sure it may last a while but if or
rather when it goes then it contaminates the inside of the converter with
clutch dust and/or hard part shrapnel. Not necessarily ruining the converter
but now it needs to be cut opened and fully cleaned out in order to be put
back into a fresh trans. Shops usually get $75-125 for this and if you skip it
and just shove it into a newly built trans...it immediately sends that crap
through what you just paid to have made fresh. Almost like using the drain
oil from the engine which just spun rod bearings as break-in for the fresh
new rebuild. You'ld likely have to toss or at least flush your trans cooler AND
lines as well......just trying to save you a few bucks and headaches later.

demonspeed

iTrader: (7)

I've learned it's easier to ask forgiveness than it is permission.

This is sound advice if one is trying to save every penny -- but has every penny to spend up front. I've more "recently" taken the approach that I can get more enjoyment now even if I may not get the full life out of whatever part. This is in the context that I might only be able to afford "x" amount of dollars today for mods, but by virtue of time and savings, I'll be able to afford "xxx" amount of dollars for future stuff. Just another way to look at it.

FirstYrLS1Z

iTrader: (4)

to the OP,what do you consider a big stall ?

roninsonic

iTrader: (3)

a stall is IMHO the best seat of the pants mod you can do... I LOVE my stall.

Almonz T/A

Stalls are great. Many A4 guys consider it to be the best first mod to do. If you're looking to save some cash for the time being, you could run the trans into the dirt and then build it with a shift kit, stall, etc. later on. You won't necessarily be saving money, more so delaying the inevitable urge to do something with the trans

Patrick Ethridge

Thanks again everyone. The trans fluid has a slight smell of being burnt, not heavy and the fluid isn't that dark. But the smell is there. So I'm still struggling with whether or not to rebuild the transmission. But if I do that, it just pushes back all my other mods anotehr 6 months. Car has 3.23 gears right now, I'm going to stick in 3.73 or 3.90s in the very near future. Looking through these forums it appears that 3600 is the most popular stall for my application - which is basically street/weekend warrior.

97camaro383

iTrader: (31)

I wouldn't worry about changing gears on the stock 10bolt. Spend the money in other mods until your ready to get a 12bolt,9inch,or s60. If trans is starting to smell burnt, i'd look into rebuilding it or getting a 4l80e.