I go out to do some late night cruising, nothing special just driving around killing time. I go over a bridge and my car (95 Z28) down shifts while the engine revs up to around 5K RPM. I'm thinking no big deal my foot is on the throttle pretty hard, I'm going up hill, and the car is still pulling. I get off the bridge and notice that the car slips when it goes into third. Now the tach just flies to the moon when the tranny tries to shift. To drive around I have to keep the car in low (1 & 2 is just low on my car). Made it home and checked the fluid. The fluid is a dark red color and was reading low. I checked my tranny fluid roughly once a week and a week ago it was fine, looks like I had a blow out on the pan gasket. I'm going to change the pan, gasket, fluid, and maybe add some sea foam trans tune. I doubt this is going to help with anything, I have a feeling I just burned up the transmission.

 

So the car only drives in 1st & 2nd, and when it goes to shift to 3rd, there's no more 3rd gear?? Uh, yep, tranny is toast. Sorry bro'. Time for that performance rebuild.

 

Sounds like your 3-4 clutches are cooked. Looks like rebuild time. If you're interested, give us a call...302-250-1202.

Thanks,
Frank
CPT

 

how low was the fluid? if the fluid level isnt high enough you'll lose gear by gear from the top down, just put new fluid in, and it'll last.

however it could be your clutches, could be a valve body gasket... just try reaplacing the pan gasket and filling it with good new fluid, see what happens, it's certainly the cheapest option.

EDIT: bad tranny filter will cause crap like that too, so get a tranny filter kit (comes with pan gasket) and while you have the pan off replace it as well

then call up CPT there and talk to him

 

Have you tried 84firebird's advise? Did it work? I'm have similar problems with my Camaro.

 

Dad wanted to drive my car today, I guess he doesn't think I'm right in thinking the tranny is toast, wanted to see if the toque converter was the problem. Sure enough it slips every time in third. Gonna pull the pan at a shop to check for metal and all that good stuff Tuesday. I'm thinking hard about going with the performance option but I might not be able to go that route. Total price of this little job (with labor) needs to be around 2K. I work at advance auto so I can get a rebuilt transmission for around 1100+ and a used one from Advance for $600. I want to go with a performance tranny but then again the engine has just bolt ons and not even headers. Not like I'm pushing the 4L60E to its limits with my less than 300rwhp. I'm considering going the used route, depending on how many miles are on the transmission it should last a while (comes with a one year unlimited mileage warranty). Then again the POS in my car gave out at 84K.

 

Um...You might want to check the prices on our web page. We build "race"
4L60E's for $1000. www.cahallperformancetransmissions.com

Frank
CPT

 

CPT is only 800+ parts for a performance rebuild. I'd go that route.

 

That's $800 + HARD PARTS. Many transmissions don't require hard parts as part of a rebuild. We update many parts in the 4L60E that are already part of that $800.

Frank
CPT

 

Go with one of Frank's transmissions...if I remember correctly, the hard parts needed in my trans were only like $70.

 

This is my only vehicle and I'm to young (20) to get a rental. Their is no way I would have the time to have the tranny pulled, sent to you guys for a rebuild, and then have it sent back to be installed. In this case I have the money just not enough time.

 

Just remember how much down time you'll have invested by having someone else build your transmission 2 or 3 times, until they get it right. We could rush you through, and get it back to you in a weeks time. We understand that sometimes we deal with customers only vehicles.

Frank
CPT

 

ok so T/C is good stuff, if you go high stall shoot 500 below peak torque (ish) and get a big external tranny cooler, outside of that, check junkyards fora cheapy you can send for rebuild? and unless you plan on big mods go stock, they usually take a beating decently.

 

BTW, we have a '95 Z28 core. We could build it for you, if it would save you some time.

Frank
CPT

 

PM has been sent.