300zxTT owner DIY person needs adidvice

[Steveb247]

Ok I have a 1990 300zx twin turbo. I bought I from a garage as a lien sale. It is a work in progress. I drive it everyday and the transmission was giving me signs of slipping. I bought a used transmission from a 300zx used parts seller. I was going to do a transmission swap. I need some input on some things. When I took out the broken transmission I notices that the torque converter looked new or at least rebuilt. I was told by someone to put in a new or at least remanufactured torque converter in when i did the swap. Is there a way I can test the torque converter? The problem I had with the old transmission was that my car was totally locked up when I put it in reverse. The car would move forward but a soon as I a put it in reverse I would be like I would be if it was in park.

Also I want to replace the rear main seal. should i replace the front seal on the used transmission that I'm installing. I basically need to get the car back on the road for now. I'm planning on buying an engine and building it also a transmission when I do this then Everything will be done perfect. For now I just want to get the car back on the road at the same time have it last till the end of this year. So if anyone can give me some pointers. I'm use to working on manual transmissions this is my first automatic transmission install I've done. How durable is the 300zx TT transmission?

The used transmission looks in decent shape I'm also going to replace the filter and put new fluid in.

[Ace2cool]

The A/T isn't the best, I'm not gonna lie. And the TC is the fastest way to have it fail on you again. And usually when the trans fails, it won't lock up. It'll usually just act like neutral. To have the parking pawl engage, it makes me think your linkage is out of adjustment.

[Steveb247]

So you think it is the linkage? The torque converter on it no has about 12,000 miles on it right now. Should I just leave it and put the newer transmission in?

[LEMHEAD16]

I would get a new TC. If there is any trash in the old fluid in it you will just be contaminating the new transmission. At the very least take it to a transmission shop and see if they can flush it out. Don't forget to flush the trans cooler and lines too when you replace the trans.

[Steveb247]

what is a good brand torque converter and place to buy?

[Ace2cool]

Honestly, any torque converter will be fine. A majority of suppliers use the same manufacturer anyways, and just stamp their "brand" on it.

Unless you're gonna go for big power, in which case the Specialty Z TC is the way to go. They use it on their world record TT, and they have the <500hp version, and the 550+ multi-disc version, at $900, and $1100 respectively.

[Steveb247]

I got a 500 over stock custom made torque converter from a company in Los Angeles called Torco Enterprises. So hopefully that will work for now. I have a question on the automatic transmission. The old one and the replacement one are both JATCO the old one has a tag model number
51X08
9Z26322

the replacement is
51X70
6211719
The both look identical. Will I have any compatibility issues with the computer?

[Ace2cool]

Shouldn't have an issue. Probably just a series and serial number.

[Steveb247]

Question how much fluid does the transmission hold?

[Ace2cool]

http://www.ttzd.com/tech/fluidchangetech.html

[Steveb247]

Thanks for the help. The car is back on the road. Now I want to start building an engine. I'd like to know where I can get info on what parts to buy and options. Also budget info? Should I start a new post?

[Ace2cool]

Check the "Everything you need to know" sticky at the top of this. Great resource.