I have just passed 100K miles on my Level Ten rebuild. Except for a glitch when I first got it, which was caused by a stuck valve, it's been trouble free. I should mention that, when I had that problem a few weeks after the work was done at their shop in NJ, they sent a flatbed to Maryland to pick up the car, then delivered it after they fixed the valve. Its had a steady diet of Mobil 1, and has been flushed or drained every 20K. I kept it when my first Q gave up the dust and swapped it into my "new" Q.
The modifications include all kevlar clutches (Raybestos Blue Plate Specials), a higher stall speed torque converter, and a higher pressure pump. My favorite feature is how quickly the trans can downshift for quick passing . We are getting to the point where it may not be sane to spend this kind of money on such an old car, but since I expect to put 200K on this unit in two Q's, I think I will come out OK.
In the meantime I have that Nissan rebuilt removed from current Q with about 50K on my garage floor, for when a NICO member needs it.
Level Ten PTS3 rebuild passes 100K Miles
sijoko wrote:II have about 35k on mine. So far no problems. I use only Mobil 1 and drain the fluid every 7-10k miles.-sijoko
WOW now thats dedication.I think even Dennis keeps it at 15k
I keep it at 15k ( the plan but usually I just itch to do something for the car and it gets done almost yearly.
Fred...
-
Jeff Williams
- Posts: 3394
- Joined: Fri Aug 02, 2002 4:17 am
- Car: 1994 Infiniti Q45t
2000 Infiniti I30t
2004 Infiniti M45
71, 72, 73, 82 & 2000 Corvettes - Contact:
Fred, that sounds great! I am starting to think about what I shouls do with my transmission. It shifts fine, but I am a worrier.
I have 56,000 on my $1,992.00 transmission rebuild. The guy at the transmission place said to just do the standard maintenance. I am sure there is standard fluid in th case. I assumed he meant a 60,000 mile flush and fluid/filter change.
What should I do? The car runs great, and there is no slipping(at least none more than the standard luxo-car smoothe shifting). I hear about Mobile 1. Should I do a power flush, and go Mobile I. Should I go Mobile 1, then do a power flush?, should I do a power flush at all, or just drive it until it needs more work.
My budget will control my decision, but I do want to know what is preferred by your Q fanatics (like me). I need another 100,000 miles (at least) out of her.
Thanks in advance for the help.
I have 56,000 on my $1,992.00 transmission rebuild. The guy at the transmission place said to just do the standard maintenance. I am sure there is standard fluid in th case. I assumed he meant a 60,000 mile flush and fluid/filter change.
What should I do? The car runs great, and there is no slipping(at least none more than the standard luxo-car smoothe shifting). I hear about Mobile 1. Should I do a power flush, and go Mobile I. Should I go Mobile 1, then do a power flush?, should I do a power flush at all, or just drive it until it needs more work.
My budget will control my decision, but I do want to know what is preferred by your Q fanatics (like me). I need another 100,000 miles (at least) out of her.
Thanks in advance for the help.
-
Jeff Williams
- Posts: 3394
- Joined: Fri Aug 02, 2002 4:17 am
- Car: 1994 Infiniti Q45t
2000 Infiniti I30t
2004 Infiniti M45
71, 72, 73, 82 & 2000 Corvettes - Contact:
Yes, it was. There is a place in Birmingham, called Wholesale Transmission. I actually bought the car broken, and the original owner, had it towed there, because it was the closest transmission place to his office. They had dismantled the transmission & had an estimate made, before I even saw the car. The place was nasty, and I am sure at least 4 scratches on the car came from the bump-parking method in the back lot (it sat there for 4 weeks). The guy seemed honest, and we knew a lot of the same people from the local race track, so I paid him for the rebuild. He had done several 1st Gen Q's, he said, and had not troubles.
So far, I haven't either.
BY the way, the reason the car was there, was because Scott, the previous owner hit a brake drum at 80 MPH, and tore a huge hole in the pan, and removed a solenoid, the hard way.
I wouldn't necessarily recommend him, but the car does run good, still.
So far, I haven't either.
BY the way, the reason the car was there, was because Scott, the previous owner hit a brake drum at 80 MPH, and tore a huge hole in the pan, and removed a solenoid, the hard way.
I wouldn't necessarily recommend him, but the car does run good, still.
-
sijoko
- Posts: 961
- Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2002 6:54 am
- Car: Black 1994 Infiniti Q45 Turbo, Pearl White 2014 Maxima Sport
- Contact:
Fred,
When I drain my trans. every 7-10k, I am only replacing whatever comes out the drain plug. It is usually around 4 quarts.
I have a drain pan just for the trans. fluid. After the fluid has stopped draining, I pour it into an old 5 quart oil container and check the amount that came out. This way I can get a good approximation as to how much to put back in.
By following this procedure, I always maintain the fluid in good condition. I do this at every 2nd oil change, so it is convenient.
One other thing, I bypassed the cooler/heater in the radiator. I have two 8,000 lbs coolers in series. As Q45Tech and others have preached, heat is the enemy of automatic transmissions.
I do whatever I can to make this one last. I remember how hard it was to yank out the old trans. and I don't want to have to do it again for a long, long time.
-sijoko
When I drain my trans. every 7-10k, I am only replacing whatever comes out the drain plug. It is usually around 4 quarts.
I have a drain pan just for the trans. fluid. After the fluid has stopped draining, I pour it into an old 5 quart oil container and check the amount that came out. This way I can get a good approximation as to how much to put back in.
By following this procedure, I always maintain the fluid in good condition. I do this at every 2nd oil change, so it is convenient.
One other thing, I bypassed the cooler/heater in the radiator. I have two 8,000 lbs coolers in series. As Q45Tech and others have preached, heat is the enemy of automatic transmissions.
I do whatever I can to make this one last. I remember how hard it was to yank out the old trans. and I don't want to have to do it again for a long, long time.
-sijoko
-
Q45tech
- Moderator
- Posts: 14296
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2002 3:19 am
- Car: 1990 Q45 342,400 miles 22 years ownership with original engine
1995 G20t 5 speed 334,000 miles 16" 2002 wheels - 205/50/16 Sr20ve vvl
My 2nd transmission transmission was changed at 185,000 miles and installed on a customers car which has run it another 19,000 miles to date.....so far 204,000 miles and it still shifts like brand new.
Meticulous Mobil 1 ATF changes, 3 pan drops and filter replacements, external cooler and 1st gear start.
My current one, a factory reman, has 20k in my car [since last July] and 15k in the previous wrecked donor car.........it has already had 2 total flushes with conventional ATF and has Lubeguard Black added.............time for a pan and filter clean.
Whether one wishes to spend $600-$800 in mainteance every 100,000 miles or just let them fail from abuse and change them out frequently is an owner decision. I think spending $1200 to avoid/defer spending $2800 makes sense.
A few of our customers buy junk yard take outs for $750 and for $1500 get another year or two out of them.........but it is hard to find low mileage 90-93 wrecks as most of the decent parts/units have been used by now!
Meticulous Mobil 1 ATF changes, 3 pan drops and filter replacements, external cooler and 1st gear start.
My current one, a factory reman, has 20k in my car [since last July] and 15k in the previous wrecked donor car.........it has already had 2 total flushes with conventional ATF and has Lubeguard Black added.............time for a pan and filter clean.
Whether one wishes to spend $600-$800 in mainteance every 100,000 miles or just let them fail from abuse and change them out frequently is an owner decision. I think spending $1200 to avoid/defer spending $2800 makes sense.
A few of our customers buy junk yard take outs for $750 and for $1500 get another year or two out of them.........but it is hard to find low mileage 90-93 wrecks as most of the decent parts/units have been used by now!
-
nuQ
- Posts: 1659
- Joined: Thu Jan 23, 2003 1:39 pm
- Car: 2003 Infiniti M45
2009 Dodge Caliber SXT - Location: Bethlehem PA
fxjackso----where in nj is the level ten shop and what did they charge you for the rebuild. the previous owner had the trans rebuilt at around 60k and now has around 110k. just did a total flush and pan drop/screen change a few months ago. the old fluid was pretty bad. he claims they upgraded many of the parts(kevlar clutches, etc). would like to have some nearby options if my trans does go-will have to decide between the level ten or one from joe. thanks jeff
Shop is far North West corner. See their site for prices., directions.
http://www.levelten.com/
When mine was done the charge was $3,900. One year, unlimited mileage warranty.
http://www.levelten.com/
When mine was done the charge was $3,900. One year, unlimited mileage warranty.
-
Q45tech
- Moderator
- Posts: 14296
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2002 3:19 am
- Car: 1990 Q45 342,400 miles 22 years ownership with original engine
1995 G20t 5 speed 334,000 miles 16" 2002 wheels - 205/50/16 Sr20ve vvl
No matter how much you spend on a rebuild for superior more durable parts............things still wear out and recirculating the wear materials just wears everything faster.
External oil type filter to catch and hold the particles would be better than draining perfectly good ATF........just to get the wear particles out.........of course ATF degradation from heat is another matter. This is where the 15k or even 30k flushes come in.
External oil type filter to catch and hold the particles would be better than draining perfectly good ATF........just to get the wear particles out.........of course ATF degradation from heat is another matter. This is where the 15k or even 30k flushes come in.
-
infinitig35c6mt
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2003 8:06 pm
Sorry to burst the bubble and disagree re Level 10.
Not only do I know of a person who recently had not one, but two copies of Level 10s in their Max, the first went out. And the second was on its last legs.
Couple that with the fact that I owned a Level 10 for about 50K miles. It began vibrating terribly at certain speeds. After making several tests locally, I called and spoke with someone who might have been the owner (so I was told).
His comments: gee, that was an early production model, too bad. Too bad? And what should I do about it? Well, you can take it out, ship it back, we'll look at it, repair it, charge you for it and send it back at your cost to ship. If I'd raced it, I could understand. If I didn't baby the whole damned car, I could understand. But this really was too much to take.
If I were to do this by the labor charges of a shop, that'd be about $300 removal +75 ship +X repair cost +75 ship +300 reinstall. This is in addition to the original cost of about $750 + 300 to install originally.
Let me see, that'd make it at least $1800 + Level 10's repair costs ($500?)!! I've never heard of such a way to do business. Had I not spoken with another person who I just happened to meet at a dealership, I would've thought my experience was unique.
Oh, and by the way, fortunately, I'd saved my original tc. Reinstalled it, and drove for another 50K miles with no problems whatsoever and sold the car in fine shape!
That's my story and there are no Level 10s in my future. Ever.
Not only do I know of a person who recently had not one, but two copies of Level 10s in their Max, the first went out. And the second was on its last legs.Couple that with the fact that I owned a Level 10 for about 50K miles. It began vibrating terribly at certain speeds. After making several tests locally, I called and spoke with someone who might have been the owner (so I was told).
His comments: gee, that was an early production model, too bad. Too bad? And what should I do about it? Well, you can take it out, ship it back, we'll look at it, repair it, charge you for it and send it back at your cost to ship. If I'd raced it, I could understand. If I didn't baby the whole damned car, I could understand. But this really was too much to take.
If I were to do this by the labor charges of a shop, that'd be about $300 removal +75 ship +X repair cost +75 ship +300 reinstall. This is in addition to the original cost of about $750 + 300 to install originally.
Let me see, that'd make it at least $1800 + Level 10's repair costs ($500?)!! I've never heard of such a way to do business. Had I not spoken with another person who I just happened to meet at a dealership, I would've thought my experience was unique.
Oh, and by the way, fortunately, I'd saved my original tc. Reinstalled it, and drove for another 50K miles with no problems whatsoever and sold the car in fine shape!
That's my story and there are no Level 10s in my future. Ever.
-
maxnix
- Posts: 22627
- Joined: Mon Jul 22, 2002 8:11 pm
- Car: 1995 Infiniti Q45
1995 Infiniti Q45t
2000 Infiniti Q45
First hand testimonials are invaluable. Thanks for your contribution.
What vehicle was your L10 transmission installed in? Anything in particular that would stress the transmission more than normal, like non OEM equipment or heavy duty use? What kind of maintenance did you perform on it while you had it?
What vehicle was your L10 transmission installed in? Anything in particular that would stress the transmission more than normal, like non OEM equipment or heavy duty use? What kind of maintenance did you perform on it while you had it?
-
Q45tech
- Moderator
- Posts: 14296
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2002 3:19 am
- Car: 1990 Q45 342,400 miles 22 years ownership with original engine
1995 G20t 5 speed 334,000 miles 16" 2002 wheels - 205/50/16 Sr20ve vvl
Why do some rebuilders give you only 6 months [AZ specialty rebuilder] and offer incremental charges to buy a 1 or 2 year added warranty.
Only a factory setup to just rebuild Nissans is obviously more efficient and cost effective. Granted they don't use Kevlar clutches [because it was a lux car and cost], but they seem to work well and last a lot longer than 1 year, even without maintenance.
Over the last 5 years the ones we have changed [all got an external cooler], have worked well with maybe a 1-2% failure.
Thats as good as the 90-93 Q transmission got brand new [in a new car].
Spending a prorated [flush, Mobil 1, and screen/external filter] $300 per year on maintenance should make them last a long time.
Ideally one would install a electronic ATF temperature gauge to watch things and not use 4th gear when [in mountains] it stresses the unit in Summer. burning an extra $1-$2 in gasoline seems a fair trade off.
Watch out for external filters as the flow is already marginal........change them every May before the Summer heat!
If you think about it the in rad auxillary fan switch 195-205F could be duplicated on the from cooler line to light a lamp when the temp got out of range.............lack of space for gauges should be no excuse.
Only a factory setup to just rebuild Nissans is obviously more efficient and cost effective. Granted they don't use Kevlar clutches [because it was a lux car and cost], but they seem to work well and last a lot longer than 1 year, even without maintenance.
Over the last 5 years the ones we have changed [all got an external cooler], have worked well with maybe a 1-2% failure.
Thats as good as the 90-93 Q transmission got brand new [in a new car].
Spending a prorated [flush, Mobil 1, and screen/external filter] $300 per year on maintenance should make them last a long time.
Ideally one would install a electronic ATF temperature gauge to watch things and not use 4th gear when [in mountains] it stresses the unit in Summer. burning an extra $1-$2 in gasoline seems a fair trade off.
Watch out for external filters as the flow is already marginal........change them every May before the Summer heat!
If you think about it the in rad auxillary fan switch 195-205F could be duplicated on the from cooler line to light a lamp when the temp got out of range.............lack of space for gauges should be no excuse.