[Matthew Ebel]

Well, The Condor's got 114K on him and the transmission is *gasp* starting to slam and skip and do all the wonderful things we've come to love and appreciate about our Ford parts. Obviously, it's time to start saving for a rebuild or a new one.

Here's the question: What aftermarket transmissions would you recommend for a 96 GL (Vulcan)? I'd like to get something sporty that's a lot better quality than the stock POS, but the bottom line is cost. I don't want to spend any more on a new tranny than I have to.

Any recommendations? I don't even know what will FIT, let alone what will actually work with my engine.

Pax,
Matthew

PS - Oh, and I may want to get a supercharger someday... bear that in mind.

I'd love to get Bob's take on this since he's thinking of adding a SC as well.

 

[-qaz-]

You got to go same as stock or it will cost lots more. AX4N over ax4s if you got that one is always good. More radical idea would be to use something not native to taurus, like the mazda 6's 5 speed atx. Since the mazda 6 uses a variant of the duratech and the duratech shares a tranny with the vulcan they should theoretically bolt up together and any tranny from duratech should fit a vulcan as well. So therefore the mazda 6 atx should bolt up to the vulcan. Now there of course is a large problem the electronics of the two wont agree. The computer would have to be heavily reprogrammed. Alberto told me that its feasible to reprogram it for a different atx trans as long as all the details of the new trans electronics are figured out. So what this means in the end is that it will cost a lot. So the only cost effective alternative is to get the same POS you have now but with a shift kit installed and an additional cooler to hopefully keep it going longer.

Just my $.02

 

[TrueBlue]

I'm also researching Jasper transmissions. They cost $1200, which may be less than the cost of the rebuild (minus the install), but, you get a full 3-year, 72,000 mile warranty on them, and of course, they are brand-spankin' new.

 

[Matthew Ebel]

Well, I think I may have found an easier- albeit more expensive -way to fix the problem. I'm pondering buying an Escape...

Pax,
Matthew

 

[TrueBlue]

If your transmission is just starting to slam now, there's about ten different things you can do to save it. You probably don't need a new transmission.

 

[Guest]

Originally posted by TrueBlue@Mar 8 2004, 12:58 AM
I'm also researching Jasper transmissions. They cost $1200, which may be less than the cost of the rebuild (minus the install), but, you get a full 3-year, 72,000 mile warranty on them, and of course, they are brand-spankin' new.

Tom, I have a Jasper tranny in my car. I'm actually on my second, the first one s*** out on me without warning. At least it was under warranty. The second one has it's quirks, but seems pretty strong. Odd shifting habbits though...

Oh well. I guess I shouldn't say much since I work for them, but I'm not impressed other than for the warranty.

 

[silvapain]

AX4N with a trans-go shift kit. that's the cheapest, and IMO best, option for a rebuild.

 

[Matthew Ebel]

Originally posted by TrueBlue@Mar 9 2004, 12:10 PM
If your transmission is just starting to slam now, there's about ten different things you can do to save it. You probably don't need a new transmission.

Any suggestions along those lines?

Pax,
Matthew

 

[TrueBlue]

How long has it been since the tranny filter was changed?
Does the Check Engine light come on? If so, have you had the codes read?
Tranny cooler installed?
Fluid flush?

I'm sure I'll have more tomorrow.

 

[Matthew Ebel]

...actually, with any luck, I'll be buying a Gen IV SES in the next month or two, so this may be a moot problem. I hope.

Pax,
Matthew

 

[surfrh2o]

I have a gen 2 Auto vulcan. Is it bad for my Tranny if I rev up really high in nuetral and slam it into drive? I do this to hear my tires squeal...I'm such a loser.

 

[fire_storm20]

Are you Nuts? Doing Neutral Drops is a tranny killer. You might get a little squeal and a little

, but each time you do, the risk of stripping your gears and having to pay $$$$ for a new transmission. Doing that will f*ck up your transmission, especially on an older taurus.

 

[zeptoplix]

Yes I will have to second that. I did this ONCE in my 89 Vulcan auto and I snapped the drive shaft in two pieces (in the shaft, not the joint)

 

[-qaz-]

You want wheel spin? drive though a puddle then stop and hit the gas. Dont do neutral drops the tranny sucks in the older taurus' enough with daily wear and tear neutral drops will definatly kill it. Actually they will kill any trans not jsut tuarus' most new cars wont let you do them. Like my friends 97 accord rev up change gear, the car revs down and then changes gears.