so long story short i'm on trans #3 in about 15k with my car. First trans lost OD right after I got it, 2nd was built and shifted way to hard for my liking, nothing wrong with it but was pulled and sold. now my current trans is not shifting from 2nd to 3rd, it goes neutral instead, it's popped out of 1st once in the rain when the tires broke loose and to top it off is not staying locked up in od. I can hear the revs going up and down and acting like the trans is slipping, and if i roll into it a bit it will lock back up and be fine for a bit. then when it gets back to the 2k range or lower it does it again....

So I'm going to pick up a TCI rebuild kit or something similar with all new bands, clutches etc. But what else should i toss in it, IE solonoids, sensors etc? I've never done one before, and this will be my first try at it.

Should mention the converter only has about 12k on it, got it from my trans guy when I put the car back together last year.

 

You might start with this older thread:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/automatic...questions.html
It has links to tools, instructions, rebuild kits and much more.

The bigger question is why do you want to rebuild it yourself?

Save money? - Unlikely. Several hundred dollars of special tools are absolutely necessary. The probability of success for a first timer is at best 50%. So you will likely have to pull it and rebuild it a few times to get it right, each time replacing parts you broke or parts you didn't know were worn.

A stronger trans? The probability that on your first rebuild you can build a stronger trans than what FLT or Performabuilt sell for $1500 is close to zero. I'm not implying you aren't a great mechanic; this is true even if you can build a racing engine with your eyes closed.

For fun, to learn and/or personal satisfaction? Go for it! Just understand it will take special tools, likely a few visits to a local trans shop for special services, a lot of reading and study, some broken parts, and your first rebuild is 50/50 whether it works at all.

Really, I'm not trying to be difficult or discouraging here. Several members here recently have successfully rebuilt their first trans, but in all cases they wanted to learn the process and for personal satisfaction.

 

I have access to most of the tools as a friend owns a trans shop, but more for me to learn and understand it better. Just frustrated buying used transmissions and having them do the same thing over and over, both have lost overdrive and this one just won't shift under heavy throttle so I'm babying it as long as I can since money is super tight.

 

Glad to hear that the have the desire to learn and a source of tools and know-how. The members here who have rebuilt their transmissions are very proud of it. Some didn't get it quite right on the first try, but were still glad to did it.
I posted a link to get you started. Post any specific questions you might have.
Also, where are you in Michigan?

 

I'm tossing the idea of trading the car in right now for a T/A with a m6. I'm inbetween Belleville with the gf and the house in Eastpointe, but also have a place in Jackson. The GF has a 01 SOM formula that she's going to be doing H/C to over winter.

The car going around a right hand corner will start slipping harder or even loose OD completely and go neutral then shift back into gear. To me it seems like a worn band and shot clutches in the 3-4, but going around a corner and it pops out is what throws me off. It's not throwing a code either, and fluid is nice and red with no burnt smell.

 

Since I'm in Ann Arbor, I'd be happy to look at the car and even hook up a trans pressure gauge to it. Of course the final verdict is probably the same - the trans needs to be rebuilt.

Having the trans slip on cornering makes me suspect either low fluid level or a loose filter under the pan.

 

I'll have to take you up on that sometime soon, Saturday I'm going to pull the plug wires and exchange them again. Think I burnt up another set.

But it still shifts fine when not on power, which is why I'm hoping I can baby it to get by or find a used to to shove in it and tackle the rebuild myself. Might be time to toss a stall in there too, but we shall see. Planned on doing H/C/I when spring hit but not now :/

Shoot me a pm with your number and I'll get with you on hooking up that gauge, I appreciate it big time.

 

here is a quick log today of my trans on a short drive to the bank and back, did not act up hardly at all in 4th like it normally does...

Logged with datamaster, maybe someone here can see something I don't with pressure and such or volts. The car did not shift into 3rd at the end during the 2nd gear pull just fyi.

EDIT- can't upload the uni file, so if anyone has datamaster and wants to take a look at this for me please let me know.

here is a link to the MIFbody forums where I have the log posted.
http://www.mifbody.com/vbulletin/sho...841#post845841