DEAD AND GONE (first-guess "auto" issue; now O2 sensor/ECU instead)

[chrisssss]

i knew i was going to be writing this thread sooner rather than later but you guys were right the autos are shittt. They are weaker than my grandma, driving home from work at 80 in trip mode today it went clunk clunk clunk jump jump. After waiting for nearly two hours for the tow truck i could not wait any longer so i drove home at 30ks from Princess hwy all the way back to Clayton. I hate autos. Any one know of a good transmission place in victoria in because i am going to convert the car to manual oh and a i have a fairly new PWR transmission cooler up for sale 280mm long by 255mm 15mm thick heavy duty item letting it go for $100 or closest offer....

 

[Scottie]

Sucks about the auto dood. It might be something that isn't mega spensive tho so might not need a TOTAL rebuild.

Might be keen on the cooler too. Is it fitted at the mo?

 

[cyber_scriber]

Mate, I feel for you.

I recall that it wasn't that long ago that you were asking about the strength of the auto box in the "Staged Upgrades" thread. In fact, I think at the time, you were very prophetic and said something along the lines of "if the auto box breaks, I'll do a manual conversion". Sometimes it's sh!t being Nostradamus!

Weren't you also looking to swap your auto for a manual car not long ago?

Geez, barely 40 posts in on the forums and your box lets go. That's pretty rough mate!

For VIC workshops, the "VR-4 friendly workshops page" lists the following:

TECH///SPORT
Bayswater
Ph: 03 9720 9300

K & C Automotive
14 Alfred St
Blackburn VIC
Ph: 03 9877 7019

A L S Automotive Electrical Service
131 Buckhurst St
South Melbourne
Ph: 03 9690 3872
Fax: 03 9699 1755

Officer Smith Automotive
Villers Street North Melbourne - (Redback pub!)
Ph: 03 93299973
Mechanical Work
Tell them your from the club!

 

[chrisssss]

looooooooooooooooooooolllll i know sucks bad but from the bad comes good and the conversion even thou it will cost me an arm and a leg it will be so worth it. I am taking the cooler off tomorrow still have the orig box and instructions and all that goes with it

 

[Guest]

TechSport told me that they have done a manual conversion before.

 

[dimi_108]

Shit go, Chris.

Hope the manual conversion happens for you soon and your car is back on the road in no time.
Let us know how it goes.

I'm keen on following your manual conversion updates.

 

[Guest]

Yeah that's a real downer, I feel for you. Got me worried now too.

Just so you that know your options... If for some reason you decide to rebuild your auto instead, Madhav has posted details of some reasonably priced strengthening kits in the Automatic Transmission Thread.

But as always, the labour is where all the expense is incurrred.

 

[Madhav]

My auto is totally rooted according to my mechanic, he had it apart on the bench and said it's a mess in there. It's getting a full rebuild done with those imported parts from the USA done via a local mechanic and valve body upgrade from M V Autos. The parts are actually quite reasonably priced, like less than $1k for everything, however labour could be a little mad....

It will be interesting to see just how strong these autos are with new components, a decent cooler, shift kit and properly serviced/regularly changed oil....

 

[chrisssss]

yeah i will keep everyone posted, all i can say is play safe with you autos try not to run too much boost i was running 14psi and use trip mode as little as possible. Also in the next few weeks ill be in the hunt for a manual transmission so keep me posted if possible and lumes, dash facsias etc thanks heaps

 

[chrisssss]

oh and good luck with the auto madhav u will probably get ure car up and runing before me so it would b interesting to see how it goes

 

[Madhav]

I am running 260kw and eventually 280kw through it, so it will be interesting! It will be done it around 1 weeks time if all goes to plan, which according to my previous experiences with mechanics is very unlikely

 

[king_panther]

Bah, my auto trans went BEFORE I had even posted at all ! After 4 days of ownership BAM it went... that was October 2007 & it's been replaced & no problems thus far * touch wood * though I did get a trans cooler fitted.

I now own a Super so I have TWO autos. Wouldn't change it for the world.

BTW Dimi, where's that place you said in Sydney can strengthen our gearboxes ?

 

[dimi_108]

Hey Brad, Hills Motorsports.
They can do a rebuild and strengthen for $2200 including transmission R&R.
They did the rebuild on the HPI Galant VR-4 Project Car.

 

[king_panther]

Hey Brad, Hills Motorsports.
They can do a rebuild and strengthen for $2200 including transmission R&R.
They did the rebuild on the HPI Galant VR-4 Project Car.

Cheers bro !

 

[Guest]

i knew i was going to be writing this thread sooner rather than later but you guys were right the autos are shittt. They are weaker than my grandma, driving home from work at 80 in trip mode today it went clunk clunk clunk jump jump.

As a help to other automatic owners, was there any hint before this that it was about to fail?

I know you said you fitted the transmission cooler recently, but had you done a full transmission flush with SPIII as well?

It would be interesting to see if any chunks come out when the fluid is drained, particularly bits of those wave rings.

 

[VR4Rocket]

I had an auto, did all the fluid changes with SP111 was running 12psi and 165kw..never used tip mode and had no problems whatsoever with it BUT it all depends on what the use, cleaning etc etc was like in Japan...remember the car IS an import...the boxes are only as good as how they have been looked after..remember many manuals come out of Japan f*cked...I had 2 cars in NZ that were Jap imports and both I had to change the gear boxes in as they ride first and second really heavily...

 

[naughtika]

265kw?! or you mean 165kw?!

 

[Madhav]

Anyone know where can I source uprated wave rings?

 

[pu-11-me]

Just ask the guy doing your auto for a solid wave ring from an older box..... Sorry I can't give you a part number man, I don't know what it is!

 

[chrisssss]

yeah i did everything possible to keep it in good nik i spoke to a few transmission places and they said that the autos are pretty good can handle 200kw will c taking it to get it cheked out and under warranty ill see what is the best option money and performance wise