A4s Beware!
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 48
From: Yuba City, CA
A4s Beware!
We just got in two brand new '02 Z28s (Police Package, B4Cs I believe is the option) for our chase car duties here at Beale AFB. Yesterday, as I went out to the ramp to fly my sortie, I saw one of the new Z28s sitting on the side off the ramp. It only has about 2K on it and the transmission was blown! Of course we run the cars, REALLY hard here at Beale, typically full throttle accelerations up to 100 mph then back down when chasing the airplanes on landings. On a typical touch and go type sortie, we will probably do 5-10 run-ins. Anyway, the point failure with the car will be the transmission, which would be expensive for a private owner. Out of curiosity's sake, has anyone out there had to replace or rebuild their A4 transmission. All of you out there with the A4s who race them on the street or strip, watch out and make sure you don't abuse the transmission too much.
Steve
Steve
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 48
From: Yuba City, CA
Nope, just put them in "Overdrive" and stomp on the gas (to the floor). They catch up real quick. Of course, without proper planning, I have been left FAR behind the jet on occasion.
Steve
Steve
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,711
From: Canadian West Coast
Try installing tranny coolers on the LS1s.
I've had no probs and I run a high TC (3500). Usually the only A4 problems are from massive hp/tq cars (100 over stock) that are run hard with a high stall converter. 98% of the owners I've talked with (Over 1000) have had no serious problems, unless serious torque was being used.
You may have just had an isolated occurrence. Bad luck, as it were.
I've had no probs and I run a high TC (3500). Usually the only A4 problems are from massive hp/tq cars (100 over stock) that are run hard with a high stall converter. 98% of the owners I've talked with (Over 1000) have had no serious problems, unless serious torque was being used.
You may have just had an isolated occurrence. Bad luck, as it were.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 404
From: rochester,MI, US
I have never had the slightest problem with the A4 trans on the 98 z28, 00 z28, or 02 z28. I think this is a well built tranny, just needs to be broken in properly, like the motor. I beat on mine pretty hard too, no granny driver here.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 48
From: Yuba City, CA
I think the B4C package, or at least our Z28s, have the transmission coolers, anyone know the RPO code for this on the driver's side door sticker? Now that I'm hearing in the neighborhood of 300-500 1/4 mile passes, I guess the abuse we subject our cars is far greater than anyone would at the track. With 2000 miles, one of our Z28s will typically have 500-700 full-throttle run-ins which will last 1/2 to a full mile and then the return trip back down the runway again.
Steve
Steve
Last edited by blu94Z; Dec 4, 2002 at 02:24 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 747
From: Charleston,SC
Aren't the cars suposed to be left in D and not OD?I know that's the way I run at the track.Probably means nothing though.If you are constantly running the cars and not letting the tranny cool down between runs then you may need a bigger tranny cooler.A $50 cooler is MUCH better than a $2,000 tranny rebuild.Heat is what kills trannies.Good luck.
Kevin
Kevin
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 43
From: Slapout, Alabama
Steve,
24K on my 02, lots of full throttle passes, and zero tranny probs.
Here is the link to the 2002 RPO codes, it doesn't list a tranny cooler as a standalone, but it may be part of the B4C package
RPO codes
You boys oughta quit giving the U2 a break on the Christmas tree and take it from a roll! (I miss the El Caminos)
24K on my 02, lots of full throttle passes, and zero tranny probs.
Here is the link to the 2002 RPO codes, it doesn't list a tranny cooler as a standalone, but it may be part of the B4C package
RPO codes
You boys oughta quit giving the U2 a break on the Christmas tree and take it from a roll! (I miss the El Caminos)
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 311
From: Redding Ca.
Re: A4s Beware!
Originally posted by blu94Z
We just got in two brand new '02 Z28s (Police Package, B4Cs I believe is the option) for our chase car duties here at Beale AFB. Yesterday, as I went out to the ramp to fly my sortie, I saw one of the new Z28s sitting on the side off the ramp. It only has about 2K on it and the transmission was blown! Of course we run the cars, REALLY hard here at Beale, typically full throttle accelerations up to 100 mph then back down when chasing the airplanes on landings. On a typical touch and go type sortie, we will probably do 5-10 run-ins. Anyway, the point failure with the car will be the transmission, which would be expensive for a private owner. Out of curiosity's sake, has anyone out there had to replace or rebuild their A4 transmission. All of you out there with the A4s who race them on the street or strip, watch out and make sure you don't abuse the transmission too much.
Steve
We just got in two brand new '02 Z28s (Police Package, B4Cs I believe is the option) for our chase car duties here at Beale AFB. Yesterday, as I went out to the ramp to fly my sortie, I saw one of the new Z28s sitting on the side off the ramp. It only has about 2K on it and the transmission was blown! Of course we run the cars, REALLY hard here at Beale, typically full throttle accelerations up to 100 mph then back down when chasing the airplanes on landings. On a typical touch and go type sortie, we will probably do 5-10 run-ins. Anyway, the point failure with the car will be the transmission, which would be expensive for a private owner. Out of curiosity's sake, has anyone out there had to replace or rebuild their A4 transmission. All of you out there with the A4s who race them on the street or strip, watch out and make sure you don't abuse the transmission too much.
Steve
I'm on Morans waiting list, when is my incentive ride???9 Trans..Dirty Trans.....
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 311
From: Redding Ca.
Originally posted by blu94Z
I think the B4C package, or at least our Z28s, have the transmission coolers, anyone know the RPO code for this on the driver's side door sticker? Now that I'm hearing in the neighborhood of 300-500 1/4 mile passes, I guess the abuse we subject our cars is far greater than anyone would at the track. With 2000 miles, one of our Z28s will typically have 500-700 full-throttle run-ins which will last 1/2 to a full mile and then the return trip back down the runway again.
Steve
I think the B4C package, or at least our Z28s, have the transmission coolers, anyone know the RPO code for this on the driver's side door sticker? Now that I'm hearing in the neighborhood of 300-500 1/4 mile passes, I guess the abuse we subject our cars is far greater than anyone would at the track. With 2000 miles, one of our Z28s will typically have 500-700 full-throttle run-ins which will last 1/2 to a full mile and then the return trip back down the runway again.
Steve
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 383
From: Goleta, CA
Sounds to me that you just gotten a bad tranny since the 4L60E is in these cars, these trannys are not like the 700r4 (4L60) which had a problem of being too weak compared to a TH350 or even TH400, GM did put more clutch packs in the 4L60E tranny to make them a more durable tranny. Again nothing is perfect but they do break down.. Also Tranny Cooler is in the Radiator but I would say put a bigger Tranny Cooler on if you are worried about it.. I have seen TH350, TH400 (experienced one losing Drive and 2nd), 700r4 and 4L60Es go out.. The main area where 4L60Es go out is their servos in the valve body can burn up and then, your tranny will not shift!!
This is information that I was told by both an independant Transmission Rebuilder and a Transmission Tech over at a Local Chev Dealer...
This is information that I was told by both an independant Transmission Rebuilder and a Transmission Tech over at a Local Chev Dealer...