Goodbye Transmission - it was fun while it lasted

[Infinitiguy19]

No, I don't necessarily baby My Baby all the time, but I just love the car and like to romp on her... Not to mention putting young punks like the kid today that called me "old man" and was making derogatory comments about My Baby in thier place. Anyone can have a sweet Mustang... Dime a dozen.

The Stage 3 L10 snaps. You most definately feel the shifts; I like it! OEM is sooo smooth compared to the L10, I think Wes would agree. Knowing the transmission is pretty much the weakest link in this car helped me to go with the L10; plus I noticed a few members had them. They say "Bulletproof"; I intend to hold them to it! You can also go with the Stage 1 or 2 instead...

I don't think there is much difference in price between the stage 1 through 3 right?

And I am baffled how the Q can appear to some as a "old man" car I don't think anyone considers a 7 series or a S class a old mans car.

No issue after all.. It was apparently some moisture that built up in the mufflers after some short interval runs during the winter. The whole noise issue turned out to be caused by left side chain tensioner being clogged by some RTV fragment. At low RPM the tensioner allowed chain slack to slap the underside of the upper head guide to make noise. Now I understand the purpose of the upper head mounted guide -- that is to make noise when the chain gets too much slack as so send a warning..

The engine really runs as good as it looks..

Nice, sounds like you dodged a bullet... At least for now. These cars amaze me...

I'm confused... He did lose his transmission?[/quote]

The chain tensioner issue was before the A/T blew up. He fixed that issue then the A/T blew up. This is the second person with a white Q that can't seem to catch a break.

[Q-ZILLA]

LOL; I know the feeling only too well! Something about Pearl White?

Check out the difference, because the S3 has shift kit inckuded and other bells and whistles. I think they start out around $3200.

[OwnerCS]

In addition to the transmission replacement, should I replace the 3rd engine mount?

Also, I have a drive shaft from a 94 model.
Should I replace the paper filled 91 drive shaft at the same time?

Anything else that should be replaced with the transmission?

[elwesso]

Yeah I'd do te drive shaft, also do the rear main seal and rear seal in the transmission. Also transmission mount

[Rex]

I tried "lightly/low mile" (used) OEM replacements when the L10, they didn't last. One was gone in 500 miles.

I finally went with an OEM from Infiniti of Scottsdale and that gave me no problems. Though, IIRC, MoD lost the transmission a few years later. The extra HP accelerated the kill

If I had one today, I'd eventually swap in a manual or find a way to adapter in a TH400. Those are cheap and can last forever.

[OwnerCS]

I tried "lightly/low mile" (used) OEM replacements when the L10, they didn't last. One was gone in 500 miles.

I finally went with an OEM from Infiniti of Scottsdale and that gave me no problems. Though, IIRC, MoD lost the transmission a few years later. The extra HP accelerated the kill

If I had one today, I'd eventually swap in a manual or find a way to adapter in a TH400. Those are cheap and can last forever.

Rex - are you saying you tried a L10?

[OwnerCS]

I tried "lightly/low mile" (used) OEM replacements when the L10, they didn't last. One was gone in 500 miles.

I finally went with an OEM from Infiniti of Scottsdale and that gave me no problems. Though, IIRC, MoD lost the transmission a few years later. The extra HP accelerated the kill

If I had one today, I'd eventually swap in a manual or find a way to adapter in a TH400. Those are cheap and can last forever.

Rex - are you saying you tried a L10?

If the price were equal, go with a L10 or OEM rebuilt?

[Lokim]

Maybe try adapting the 5-speed RE505A auto from a Titan? Anybody heard of anyone doing that?

[Rex]

I tried "lightly/low mile" (used) OEM replacements when the L10, they didn't last. One was gone in 500 miles.

I finally went with an OEM from Infiniti of Scottsdale and that gave me no problems. Though, IIRC, MoD lost the transmission a few years later. The extra HP accelerated the kill

If I had one today, I'd eventually swap in a manual or find a way to adapter in a TH400. Those are cheap and can last forever.

Rex - are you saying you tried a L10?

If the price were equal, go with a L10 or OEM rebuilt?

I had a Level 10 in "Da Beast". I'd go with a L10 rebuild w/ built torque convertor over a new OEM.

[OwnerCS]

I had a Level 10 in "Da Beast". I'd go with a L10 rebuild w/ built torque convertor over a new OEM.

Thanks Rex - that is what I'll be doing..

[maxnix]

Actually, if you read all of the older threads, many were disappointed in the L10 after a few thousand miles.

One should note that Q45tech always went with a new or remanufactured replacement.

[elwesso]

There were also many that got lots of miles out of them. Mine had about 120k on it and it shifted great. Many others have seen 150k or so.

[Q-ZILLA]

I love my L10, but I use it... My stock transmission couldn't keep up, neither could the two I had replaced it with. IMHO; I think it may depend on how you plan to use it. Tooling around, enjoying yourself is one thing, racing, etc. is another.

[Q-ZILLA]

There were also many that got lots of miles out of them. Mine had about 120k on it and it shifted great. Many others have seen 150k or so.

Glad to hear those kind of mileage figures...

[qship96]

One should note that Q45tech always went with a new or remanufactured replacement.

Yeah, and his Q is on what, its 4th transmission ? doesnt sound like such a great endorsement to me !!!!!

[Q-ZILLA]

Correct me if I'm wrong... I believe there's a consensus that the stock transmission is the weak link for this vehicle, based on my experience, I’d have to agree.

[maxnix]

One should note that Q45tech always went with a new or remanufactured replacement.

Yeah, and his Q is on what, its 4th transmission ? doesnt sound like such a great endorsement to me !!!!!

Yeah, and 350K+ miles. He ditched his second new one at 173K because it took and extra .5 seconds to shift when compared with new. And no one ever took him up on his challenge to run against his Q45 in Atlanta. No one. He has more timed runs than probably everyone else on the board put together.

[maxnix]

Correct me if I'm wrong... I believe there's a consensus that the stock transmission is the weak link for this vehicle, based on my experience, I’d have to agree.

And you would be wrong as the old members who cooled and maintained them with mechanical exchanges and synthetic fluids have zero problems until late in life.

Read Q45tech's early logs and maintenance schedule.

[qship96]

Correct me if I'm wrong... I believe there's a consensus that the stock transmission is the weak link for this vehicle, based on my experience, I’d have to agree.

And you would be wrong as the old members who cooled and maintained them with mechanical exchanges and synthetic fluids have zero problems until late in life.

Read Q45tech's early logs and maintenance schedule.

Qtech "cooled and did more wallet flushes" than most......and was on his FOURTH TRANSMISSION WELL before 300K....again, not a ringing endorsement for the Nissan transmission itself, his maintenance practices,or much else in my book.A FAILURE.

[Q-ZILLA]

Correct me if I'm wrong... I believe there's a consensus that the stock transmission is the weak link for this vehicle, based on my experience, I’d have to agree.

And you would be wrong as the old members who cooled and maintained them with mechanical exchanges and synthetic fluids have zero problems until late in life.

Read Q45tech's early logs and maintenance schedule.

Well Maxnix; I guess I stand corrected. Tell you what, after dealing with these issues myself. I WILL stick with my L10 and enjoy it, not wasting more cash on an OEM transmission.

[maxnix]

You are welcome to waste money on whatever you wish. It's a free country!

You might do some reading if you really want to be educated, though. But not required, of course.

[Q-ZILLA]

You are welcome to waste money on whatever you wish. It's a free country!

You might do some reading if you really want to be educated, though. But not required, of course.

I'm trying to have a nice day... I usually don't chime in on much here… I tend to speak my mind.

I saw OWNERCS’s link, thought I would offer my opinion; for what it’s worth; based on my experience, losing 3 OEM trannys prior to installing my rear-mount turbo setup within 160k. I too made sure the maintenance was performed on regular intervals with the RECOMMENDED FLUIDS.

As I said; IMHO, based on MY EXPERIENCE… I LIKE my L10 and haven't had any issues with it. I street race my car at least every other day. I don't p****-drive my Q. My L10 currently has 79+k on it and has no issues. Considering the rear mount turbo I have; I NEED a stronger than OEM transmission. Based on what you said; I guess any member is an idiot for buying an L10 or any other aftermarket transmission, huh?

I also don't have my nose so far up another member’s a** that I'm blinded by other members’ opinions. Just because you don’t agree with another member or that opinion may stray from YOUR GOD’s (Q45TECH) opinion, doesn’t make YOU an expert. I do read quite a bit on this site, especially prior to purchasing a part. Seems you regurgitate quite a bit of Q45TECH’s opinions, based on my reading. So, unless you’ve got something impressive installed in that base Q of yours… Go spank yourself; it is a free country and I don’t think I wasted my money on my L10!

[Infinitiguy19]

I like where this topic is going!

All I know is a lot of money was spent on Q45Techs Q and he tried a lot of different parts before coming to a conclusion on what he liked.

And again Q45Tech said that the 1994-1996 Q45 A/T was better built than the 1990-1993 version. It had better glue in the clutches and had slightly higher gears (less power to the wheels). Plus all 1994-1996 Q45's came with a external transmission filter and twin coolers on the engine radiators.

And as I recall Q45Tech said the OEM A/T could only handle 300 FT/LBS of torque.

[qship96]

qtechs beliefs and practices are those of a layman and one persons personal opinion based off ownership of 1 q45,no different than any other member who has owned a q for a long time......he is/was NOT a ASE or other automotive technician or automotive professional.....some take his personal word way too heavily,almost as gospel.I am sure he gets a private chuckle from it! To take from his personal experience at beliefs and dismiss other owners experiences that may differ from his is being very shortsided,and close minded.

[Q-ZILLA]

Thank you INFINITIGUY19 and QSHIP96 for the support. I'm no prodigy on the Q, but I do research products before purchase. BTW; I noticed on CSF's website that thier model 2652, aluminum radiator will be discontinued after stock is depleted.

[OwnerCS]

Does anybody know how much the transmission weighs?

I think I remember seeing John's transmission arrival picture on a wooden pallet. How was it strapped to the pallet?

[Q-ZILLA]

Here you go... Can't remember the weight, but it ain't light...


This pic is for MAXNIX...

[Unnatural1]

I also don't have my nose so far up another member’s a** that I'm blinded by other members’ opinions. Just because you don’t agree with another member or that opinion may stray from YOUR GOD’s (Q45TECH) opinion, doesn’t make YOU an expert. I do read quite a bit on this site, especially prior to purchasing a part. Seems you regurgitate quite a bit of Q45TECH’s opinions, based on my reading. So, unless you’ve got something impressive installed in that base Q of yours… Go spank yourself; it is a free country and I don’t think I wasted my money on my L10!

Someone had to say it. I've come very close to saying this myself. This is a big reason that I've quit posting on this forum. Anytime in the past that I've offered an opinion that has differed from Maxnix or Q45Tech's (one in the same apparently) I've gotten basically this same ultra arrogant response that John has received. And why does someone feel the need to post on a public forum and claim a copyright in his signature? Just saying...

Back to the topic... what is L10 asking for their transmissions? And does anyone have any experience with IPT (Import Performance Transmission http://www.importperformancetrans.com)? I believe one of their guys used to post here. They seem to offer some nice upgrades for our trannys including high stall torque converters, valve body upgrades, etc....

For what its worth, if I was in this position the last option I would be considering is an OEM replacement. They are reman units usually rebuilt by an outside source. Not that that is inherently bad but why go with stock when you can get an upgraded unit for possibly less money?!

[Rex]

For what its worth, if I was in this position the last option I would be considering is an OEM replacement. They are reman units usually rebuilt by an outside source. Not that that is inherently bad but why go with stock when you can get an upgraded unit for possibly less money?!

When posed with the decision to rebuild/repair my L10 (due to cut line to/from external ATF cooler)I considered several options.

1 - "low mile" used 91-93 transmission, that had been out of a wrecked car for ~6 months
2 - "good condition" used from a wrecked 94-95, fluid looked/smelled good and car had been daily driven until accident ~1 month earlier
3 - repair/rebuild L10, shipped it back and got a quote of ~$3400, not including the freight spent to get it to NJ
4 - install an OEM unit from IOS, ~$2400 - $500 (core credit) + ~$200 (core return shipping) = ~$2100

I gave options 1 & 2 a try to no avail. Then decided on option #4. In hindsight, I should have gone with option #3.

We live and learn.

[Infinitiguy19]

Owner CS I hope you don't mind me asking...

Does anyone have a phone number to Level Ten transmissions?

I was basically wondering if the have a transmission oil pan like this that would fit the Q transmission: http://www.levelten.com/Level_10_Deep_T ... 0-1000.htm