How to keep my motor/tranny alive for a loooong time?
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,001
From: Houston TX
How to keep my motor/tranny alive for a loooong time?
Ive been going to the track and drag racing almost every weekend for about 2 months. My parents said if something goes wrong with it prepared not to have a car for a long time. So basically I want to make sure my motor/tranny stays alive for a long while.
I have a 160 stat (helps the motor stay cooler?) and I have a tranny cooler on the way. I have 2.73s so I shouldnt have to worry about my rear end.
What other precautions can I take?
(racing at the track is just to damn fun
)
EDIT: BTW it has just under 40k miles
I have a 160 stat (helps the motor stay cooler?) and I have a tranny cooler on the way. I have 2.73s so I shouldnt have to worry about my rear end.
What other precautions can I take?
(racing at the track is just to damn fun
)EDIT: BTW it has just under 40k miles
Last edited by Robert95z; May 29, 2003 at 02:36 PM.
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,831
From: Middle Tennessee
I have 2.73s as well, have made less than 30 passes on the track and believe the clutches in my posi are starting to slip.
So, don't assume that the 2.73s are going to keep you from worrying about the rear.
Best thing for longevity that I can recommend is to make sure you keep fresh fluids in the engine, tranny and rear. You should probably accelerate your service schedule due to the severe service of the racing.
So, don't assume that the 2.73s are going to keep you from worrying about the rear.
Best thing for longevity that I can recommend is to make sure you keep fresh fluids in the engine, tranny and rear. You should probably accelerate your service schedule due to the severe service of the racing.
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 19
From: Green Bay Wi.
I am not saying this is the answer, just sharing some of my experince i have had. Have a 94 Formula A-4, bought with 31k on the clock a couple of years ago. Car now has 99k on the clock and probably well over 500 passes at the track. I use Castrol 10-40 and lucas oil additave every 2500 miles (not trying to start a oil debate, i know everyone has own opinion). For the tranny i put on a big ol tranny cooler, and got the slp fan switch so i could keep the tranny cool as well. I change my filter on trans every 15k (say flush 30k so i figure half the fluid on filter change, do it twice as often) and i also use the lucas trans additive. Not to say that this is the best way or something you need to do, just throwing some ideas out there to help you, but i can say i have 99k on my original a-4 tranny and it still seems to be going strong.
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,612
From: Oklahoma
well....thats low miles, but im afraid if you race it too much at the track you might burn up the tranny since its an auto. The cooler will help alot but be prepared. Rebuilds usually cost about 1300-2000. I say wait until you have some reserve money to back up a rebuild. As for the motor you should be good for a long time, lt1's are very reliable. The rear should also be good, thanks to the auto, if you had an m6 it might be a different story. Just change all the fluids and enjoy.
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,450
From: LA, So Cal
Originally posted by Nox1d3
How about tranny fluid? Im concered for the tranny most of all.
How about tranny fluid? Im concered for the tranny most of all.
get a tranny cooler ASAP. always let the engine idle for 30 sec after stopping in your garage, and let it idle for another 30 sec before you drive it, no matter how hot it is.......i read it in another thread.....
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,521
From: Costa Mesa, CA
Formula for long life-
1)When you start the car let it idle for half a minute before you put it into gear or place any load on it such as AC compressor etc.
2)When the motor is not fully warmed up take it real easy, don't rev the motor over 23-2400 when cold. That's just my preference.
3)Use mobil 1 10w30 in the motor, I use a purolator PureOne filter, but make your own choice. Change it every 3k miles.
4)Flush tranny fluid and install heavy duty trans cooler. I use Valvoline Maxxlife in my tranny. It works better than mobil 1 ATF. Change yearly.
5)Use mobil 1 gear lube in the rear end. Change yearly.
6)Install manual fan switch or program fans to come on sooner to keep the motor within operating range of ~185*.
The biggest part of it is using quality fluids and keeping them fresh. If you do this your car will last a long time. I have 125k on my car, all the drivetrain is original.
John
1)When you start the car let it idle for half a minute before you put it into gear or place any load on it such as AC compressor etc.
2)When the motor is not fully warmed up take it real easy, don't rev the motor over 23-2400 when cold. That's just my preference.
3)Use mobil 1 10w30 in the motor, I use a purolator PureOne filter, but make your own choice. Change it every 3k miles.
4)Flush tranny fluid and install heavy duty trans cooler. I use Valvoline Maxxlife in my tranny. It works better than mobil 1 ATF. Change yearly.
5)Use mobil 1 gear lube in the rear end. Change yearly.
6)Install manual fan switch or program fans to come on sooner to keep the motor within operating range of ~185*.
The biggest part of it is using quality fluids and keeping them fresh. If you do this your car will last a long time. I have 125k on my car, all the drivetrain is original.
John
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Joined: Sep 1998
Posts: 679
From: Oakville, Ontario
If you drive your car hard, and most people here do, you'll want to run the K&N oil filter, as it will outflow pretty much all the typical oil filters out there. You don't want a restrictive oil filter when you're driving your car hard, it'll cause more engine wear. Uninterupted oil flow is critical when you're constantly on and off the gas and going WOT very often.