Performabuilt Level 3 - **Update**
#1
Performabuilt Level 3 - **Update**
I just got my Performabuilt Level 3 (with Smart Drum) back from a re-fresh in May 2015 (nothing wrong with it - it held strong for 200 runs at 250-300 shot but had the motor out so had the tranny re-freshened at the same time). Any way, no fault of the tranny, but I was racing this past Friday and somehow the line-lock became engaged or partially engaged at the starting line and I launched with a 275 shot! I bogged and stuttered after the initial hard launch. I ran another pass at 9.94 at 138.3 and everything seemed fine. Next pass I knew something was up because it just felt weird and I had to get out of it at 1/3 track. I drove it home at only 40 mph about 30 miles - it was shuddering at initial throttle at each stop and almost made the car feel like it was missing. It shifted fine, I watched the temp which never went above 160 on the drive home. The next morning I started it up and drove it on to a flatbed to have towed to my mechanic. With the car at an angle on the flatbed the transmission fluid was literally flowing out the tail stock! I also noticed fluid all under the car, on the rear bumper and even a mist on the rear spoiler so it was likely losing fluid on the drive home. Anyone have any ideas of likely cause? I don't know anything about transmissions but I'm hoping it might be a serviceable seal in the tail housing that blew out from excessive pressure?
This is not a negative on Performabuilt in any way. I'm very happy with how this tranny has held up and their service. The line-lock issue was just an unfortunate fluke and I know I will likely have to send back to Performabuilt for repair....
This is not a negative on Performabuilt in any way. I'm very happy with how this tranny has held up and their service. The line-lock issue was just an unfortunate fluke and I know I will likely have to send back to Performabuilt for repair....
Last edited by CanadianEh!; 08-22-2015 at 12:22 PM.
#6
Thanks for the responses guys! You were both right - busted tail housing. New tail housing and seals and it appears tranny is 100%. I consider myself very lucky that it didn't cause more severe damage! Putting almost 800 rwhp through this tranny and it's held up extremely well!
#7
A little update from my previous comments. The Tail Housing was not broken, however, the bushing was completely torn apart and the bushing surfaces gaulled beyond repair. We still required a new Tail Housing and bushing but everything seems to work 100%. My mechanic feels the cause was my drive-shaft had developed a severe vibration that could have destroyed the bushing after many hard launches. The driveshaft was the only original price of the drive-train and we have now ordered a custom one which should handle the abuse better. Hope to be back racing this week!