First off... spare me the 5 speed swap ****.

I just installed my Banzai Racing adapter harness and PFC into my car and blew out either my transmission or torque converter. My question is which one failed?

I suspected it wouldn't last long because the car always shifted a little mushy and would sometimes seem to slip just for a split second when you mashed the accelerator.

The car drives okay creeping around and sometimes at light throttle but if I mash the accelerator it will slip like a clutch going out.

Sometimes it will shift through the first couple gears and then shift into what feels like neutral.

I figure I'll swap both with used units.

Anyhoo, I have an extra transmission that is "supposedly" rebuilt and two torque converters. I feel pretty good about the transmission but is there any way to test a torque converter short of putting it in and hoping?

 

gears are worn

 

sounds like your trans was having trouble before thr pfc install. I also purchased the banzai racing harness and I am waiting for my pfc to arrive. I am thinkig torque converter and some gear wear. I would send the other trans out to level 10 and have them build you a solid trans to support your mods since you have it out of the car anyway and will pay for labor to install it. just a thought!

Jeff

 

how long after the pfc install did this happen? did you notice any problems right after the pfc install or did a take some time? is you trans light flashing?

Jeff

 

I dont have a lot of experience with fd autos but the symptoms sound like a converter gone bad. Similar symptoms are seen on the supras when they start getting heavily modified on the stock trans.

 

I was starting to suspect the transmission or torque converter wasn't in the greatest health before installing the PFC so my feelings aren't hurt - but I have a few extra transmissions to choose from and I wasn't sweating it.

Im going to put it in myself so in theory the only money I'm spending will be on new fluid.

No hold light but Ive learned from past experience that the transmission computer will throw codes without triggering the flashing hold light - which is the equivalent of the check engine light for the ecu. Anyhoo, I have the FSM and will see what codes are being thrown just for giggles.

The PFC for the auto seems to be a GREAT upgrade for anyone thinking of getting the Banzai Harness! I had a lot of fun until I blew something up. I wish I could diagnose EXACTLY what went though.

So - no way to bench test a torqe converter?

 

you can take the converter to a transmission shop and have them look at it. my hunch is that it isn't the converter but the transmission itself.



does it chatter going up hill?

 

what are your mods? you say you had a lot of fun before it blew! how much hp do you think it was up to before it blew out? we are trying to get an idea of how much hp the auto can take. some say 325-350 hp but most seem to be getting less due to pre- existing problems before mods. my trans is in good shape so I'll get some dyno numbers when I get my system up and running with a good tune.

Jeff

 

Its basically a stock car with dp and exhaust.

Tired tranny gave up the ghost.

 

I think with a stock car , exhaust , and pfc you were in the area of 230 rwhp before the trans gave up. I know it can hold more than that if its in good shape. I am still thinking a good auto trans can hold up to 300 rwhp. anyone have dyno numbers to post with the auto trans?

Jeff

 

I've been saying this all along. Get ready to see a lot of tranny failures over the next few months. Stock tranny simply won't hold much more than stock power.

 

Update:

I replaced the tranny with a low mileage (less than 3000 miles since rebuild) unit that had been rebuilt with upgraded components by a local transmission shop. The new-er transmission drives great. Because of the difference, I now I know that my old transmission was on the way out since I bought the car.

While I had everything out, I completely evacuated the transmission fluid. I blew out the lines and drained the torque converter.

When I refilled the transmission, I opted for B&M Trickshift Synthetic. It really makes the car a little more fun to drive. No more mushy shifts - it locks up a lot harder now between gears. If you use the hold button and change gears - it grabs the next gear like the car means business.

So far, I would recommend using this product.

 

Good move with the synthetic.

 

I agree fully on using synthetic. I use Mobil 1 synthetic ATF.