Race au auto playing up again!!

**Stav** · 02-05-2008, 05:30 PM

Guys.I have a problem with the new 4 month old gearbox.It has kevlar bands ,super duper clutches.
Has anyone experienced this?...
I want to know so when I front up to my box builder that I know what is happenning. After being on the freeway today I gave it a bit of stick to hit the speed limit. After I slowed down and at light throttle the box free revved then banged into gear.This is at light throttle.Also after driving it light throttle for a while it feels like it slips like in neutral then goes back into gear. Also the shifts are not hard but feel like a hestate to get into the next gear some of the time. Under full throttle the car goes well.The problem seems mainly at very light throttle.Any ideas?

HLC · 02-05-2008, 06:16 PM

i think you need a new gearbox builder.

Chamelion · 02-05-2008, 06:22 PM

Sounds a bit like how my Camry gearbox felt during it's last couple of years. :(

**Mechan1k** · 02-05-2008, 06:37 PM

How's the fluid level?????
This can be a sign too.
Maybe you unluckily may have a dodgy solenoid ... they can fail.

**Stav** · 02-05-2008, 06:49 PM

I think you may be right mechanic. Originally it slipped in between all gears.I took it back and they replaced the s5 solenoid.Its has been good apart from occasionally this problem. I dont want to pay for another box again.I called the guy this arfternoon and sounded willing to have a look.So I hope they do the right thing. It seem the wagon's problems dont want to go away sometimes. I have been driving it easy too.Only hard driving is once at the track.That was without a burnout too.I have also kept an eye on the trans temperature with the gauge I fitted a few months back.Its been running cool temps.
Hope they fix it.

**Mechan1k** · 02-05-2008, 07:01 PM

I have been meaning to add a temp gauge for the auto.
Although I think I am going to stop the mods on the ute ... lets just say I think it may be time for an upgrade for me .... will see what happens in the next few months.

Mine has been going strong .... but the cooler mornings now I am finding theh shift is a tad sluggish probably due to temps. I am still a bit off my servicing time for the auto ... so I might just check fluid levels first and see how it goes.

**Stav** · 02-05-2008, 07:27 PM

I know it may sound strange but even though I have been compiling more info on going faster I am very reluctant to mod farther because I need the car on the road. Reliabilty is my biggest priority now.

The wagon goes fast..very fast when it is necessary. However business is starting to climb up again and the wagon has to keep going. Down time for the wagon is money I am losing .

Sox · 03-05-2008, 09:08 AM

Get it sorted by the dude who built it, remove it, sell it and then fit a manual box.
You'll have much more fun, and less problems.

Rick.

GK · 03-05-2008, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sox

Get it sorted by the dude who built it, remove it, sell it and then fit a manual box.
You'll have much more fun, and less problems.

Rick.

Agreed!

GK

Black XR · 03-05-2008, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sox

Get it sorted by the dude who built it, remove it, sell it and then fit a manual box.
You'll have much more fun, and less problems.

Rick.

agreed as well

StealthAu · 03-05-2008, 12:25 PM

Less problems with a T5? The BTR's must really be a pile of crap

**Stav** · 03-05-2008, 02:22 PM

I have done manual conversions before a long time ago. Ill probably need a different flywheel,pedals,box,clutch bell housing etc. I dont really want to spend any more on the car ..the xr6t's are seliing for 19000 nowadays.Cheap as chips..

Sox · 03-05-2008, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stav

I have done manual conversions before a long time ago. Ill probably need a different flywheel,pedals,box,clutch bell housing etc. I dont really want to spend any more on the car ..the xr6t's are seliing for 19000 nowadays.Cheap as chips..

Fair enough, XR6T's are a good thing, but they have the same autos. Except for the laters ones, which have the same crap auto with 2 extra ratios.

Just make sure you get a real gearbox when you trade.

BTW, I thought you had some personal targets with your current car? That's why I suggested a stick shift.

Rick.

waggaclint · 03-05-2008, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sox

Fair enough, XR6T's are a good thing, but they have the same autos. Except for the laters ones, which have the same crap auto with 2 extra ratios.

the newer 6-speed box are a ZF box not a BTR like the 4-speed and are alot better i think youl find...

**Peuty** · 03-05-2008, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waggaclint

the newer 6-speed box are a ZF box not a BTR like the 4-speed and are alot better i think youl find...

Agreed. ZF's are a looooong way from a clunky BTR.

Sox · 04-05-2008, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waggaclint

the newer 6-speed box are a ZF box not a BTR like the 4-speed and are alot better i think youl find...

I know they are worlds apart technically, and are claimed to be a much superior box.
However the two vehicles I've driven with the 6spd showed much the same flaws as the old box. Flaws that I can't live with, and of which take so much enjoyment away from the feel of a sport-ish car.

Rick.

**Stav** · 03-05-2008, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StealthAu

Less problems with a T5? The BTR's must really be a pile of crap

Big crap.

blackers10 · 03-05-2008, 08:09 PM

my tricked up BTR doesnt HARD when shes cold.. think it may be somthing built into the ECU or somthing??

i think one of your solinoids or pistons in the box is buggered
it seems to be doing what my other box is doing (which im selling if anybody is interested its in the For Sale section) ..

the shop quoted $600 without looking at it.. maybe more if other stuff was broken..

it is a part that is NOT replaced during a rebuild as it is a hard part not a soft wearing part etc

good luck mate! let us know how it goes

Cam · 05-05-2008, 05:57 PM

Interesting posts here, I am not sure i'd chuck a T5 behind my stroker, so i guess i am stuck with the "crap" BTR. Despite me killing only 1 BTR in 2 years. but anyway...

If it was slipping in all gears it'd appear its more likely fluid / S5 related, so i dont think itd be terminal.

Good luck mate, hopefully the issues don't continue for you!

blackers10 · 05-05-2008, 08:47 PM

Hart Transmissions in Brendale QLD makes a customised T5 box..
they put different bearings in that eliminate the shaft float so the teeth stay where they are suposed to and take a HELL of alot more abuse

BI6TIM got one .. was just under 2k installed i beleive

private9 · 05-05-2008, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackers10

Hart Transmissions in Brendale QLD makes a customised T5 box..
they put different bearings in that eliminate the shaft float so the teeth stay where they are suposed to and take a HELL of alot more abuse

BI6TIM got one .. was just under 2k installed i beleive

Yep, sounds very interesting that one - I think it was around the $1500 mark IIRC. I'll be watching his car eagerly!

**Stav** · 19-05-2008, 10:21 PM

The car went in last Friday and it was missing 1/1/12 litres of oil.No leaks..no oil in t he water? I dont think enough oil was pumped in in the first place. Then they proceded to charge me for the use of their scan tool ....today it happened again.
I rang them up and they said it sounds like the inhibitor switch and that it is not part of the box or under warranty. What sort of recoed box and what type of warranty is this? I nearly gave up many a time due to bodged workmanship and parts. I am also going to buy reading reference material on how to build automatic transmissions because I am sick of the vast amount of full on fwits in Sydney who dodge their responsibilities and dont do things properly.. I dont even want to go back for servicing even though I am risking losing any warranty..but then again what sort of warranty is that?

I am going to buy a blown transmission from the wreckers and learn on it.

bodes-sh · 19-05-2008, 10:26 PM

that's the best way to do things i think, see how it works and then go about making it work better lol....

seriously tho, it really sucks to hear how much trouble you have been having with such seemingly simple things on this car...it's also bad for places like that to you around sorting out things that should have been right from the beginning

**Stav** · 19-05-2008, 11:00 PM

Mistakes happen...i understand that but when it comes to warranty it would be a refreshing change if people just fixed things without trying to dodge their obligations

JC · 19-05-2008, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stav

Mistakes happen...i understand that but when it comes to warranty it would be a refreshing change if people just fixed things without trying to dodge their obligations

Stav, you can do all the internal mods you like on these BTR boxes, but if you don't at least fit dipstick tube, then you are wasting your time. The thing that kills more autos than anything else is lack of fluid. How do you check the fluid? Not easily without a dipstick. The roughly $300 or so it costs to get this mod done will save you big $$$ by allowing you to keep an eye on the fluid level and condition.

As for the workshop - they did the inside of the box, not the inhibitor switch - there's nothing you can do to strengthen that part, and it is a wear and tear item. Again, you can check it yourself, and give it a clean out with WD40 or RP7 or similar, and it usually comes good, unless it's really stuffed.

I share your frustration with the box, but don't blame the auto tranny place for a wear and tear part wearing out - that would be like blaming the brake place because your pads were wearing out.

And yes, the low fluid is a worry, but if it's been getting hot, and you haven't been checking the condition of the fluid, then 1.5 litres out of a capacity of 10 is not a huge loss, and may have been burnt off, or broken down due to excessive heat.

**Stav** · 19-05-2008, 11:54 PM

It is frustrating but yes I have evolved from my first steps into the car modding. I understand what youre saying .If it is a wear and tear item ..then so be it. JC I have made an adapter and running a transmission temperature gauge.I never let it get hot and never drive it hard unnecesarily.

I will go past ford and get a quote on the switch and change it myself..

I have to say that I have met some fantastic mechanical workshops in my travels.I am happy to mention these ..
Easy automotive newport..
Smithfield diff and gears
Crescent motorsports
Racetech heads.
Rocket industries
Motorsport connections
torque convertor industries seven hills for the stallie .Len Pendlebury is a big champion.300 odd dollars for a 2500 stallie which gets me 2.0 60 footers!!

As for parts..I cant go past new ford parts for quality. Ill give them that. All the wreckers second hand stuff i have replaced 3 times over..not worth it on a car you want in perfect condition.

**Stav** · 19-05-2008, 11:59 PM

I suppose seeing the wagon again on the front page of wsid is a big upper for me today

The stingray is getting good exposure from those legends at wsid...Might have another crack at best reaction time this week if I can get out there..

http://www.wsid.com.au/

Sox · 20-05-2008, 07:08 AM

Seriously Stav, have you considered a manual?
Grab a conversion from a wrecking yard, bang new bearings, synchros and good oil in, and grab a decent clutch and all your problems will be over.
And you'll have the benefit of MUCH greater driving enjoyment, as autos suck so much compared to manuals.

Rick.

sly · 20-05-2008, 05:05 PM

Kicking myself Stav. When you posted the earlier thread, the last time the 'box sh@t itself, I should have said to make sure they fitted a dipstick while the box was out of the car. Not only does it make it easier to monitor the oil level & top it up, you can also keep an eye on the oil's colour. Sorry mate...

**Stav** · 20-05-2008, 05:35 PM

Its cool..no worries.The car drives excellent bar the little problem which is intermittent.It can wait.I will fix it with my next line of mods.The mods will be reflected in a quicker or slower time..