Are ATX trannys really that bad????

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Marccus

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Well, there was a period of time when I would go to Pick-Your_Part in Southern California and find junked Gen 1 SHO's all over the place. But now that we are into a twenty year old car, I just don't see them any more. They've all been crushed! And who knows how good the tranny is in the junked SHO.
 

SHO GoDz 89

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The very nature of any automatic transmission is that it will need to be rebuilt/replaced.

Instead of having an external clutch (like a stick), they are all internal and every single shift they are gradually wearing out.

Sooner or later they wear out all the way and need replacement.

Combine that with the fact that people generally neglect servicing their auto tranny and drive the crap out of their car, some don't last too long.

It isn't that the SHO ATX's are weak, it is just the nature of Auto tranny's in general.

I got 143k out of my original ATX, and 75k out of my rebuild (crappy rebuild), and am running a FoMoCo remanned one right now.

Doug

There are some minor differences in the ATX internals after 93, and none of the issues are attributed to clutch pack wear. For example, post-93 ATX's have better lubrication through out the trans, because relief holes were placed strategically on certain parts.

The weakness of most ATX transmissions stem from poor manufacturing methods, and just ****** engineering. Half the parts in the ATX are made from press formed metals, and some years of the ATX don't even have heat treated gears.

Someone needs to build ATX parts out of super alloys (Inconel, Waspaloy, Ti a+b, etc ect). Then lets see them break after 100k.
 

xshoel93x

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as many of you kno, i blew the diff pin in my atx, (took the 2 of us a day to swap it out). after the tranny was replaced just before i got the car. well, now i drive 20miles each way to work and its mostly highway.... so i beat the **** outta my car and drive with O/D so im basically in 3rd gear. and i nail it when getting on the highway so it shifts into 2nd at nearly 7k rpm. (im waiting for this tranny to explode lmfao) need to have fun and scare the crap outta people cuz those 20miles are boooorrrinnnggggg

meanwhile my stepdads 93mtx sees 7700rpm shifts on a daily basis and is on the original tranny, with i believe 180k miles

mtx>atx but as with most everything else, if you take care of it then it will last
 

gmail

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I have an '89 MTX w/465K miles. Do I get a SHO patch too? :3gears: :biggrin:

only with proof of mileage..

that would be a new record if i recall... last i remember was 420k miles

you have to make that car last to half a million... that just sounds so nice when i mention the durability of a SHO to someone.

you relise you drove around the world almost 20 times with those miles?
changed the oil around 155 times. or 124 gallons of oil.
 
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Tecchie

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HA ha

My 1995 SHO with 220k+

Original factory trans (ATX) never been worked on, previous owners never serviced it, it was slipping a little when I got it but still managed to shift normal after driving for awhile at operating temps, but now finally nothing beyond first and reverse.... LOL

First gear tops at 45-50MPH......

I need to save for that nice tranny that the ShoSource guys have that's all beefed up!..

Anyone know who can do a tranny swap on the cheap in the Washington State in the Everett area?
 

moobypets

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my best bet if nobody near you a tranny shop will be eable to get the job done quick and easy and faster even
 

SeanMc

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There are some minor differences in the ATX internals after 93, and none of the issues are attributed to clutch pack wear. For example, post-93 ATX's have better lubrication through out the trans, because relief holes were placed strategically on certain parts.

The weakness of most ATX transmissions stem from poor manufacturing methods, and just ****** engineering. Half the parts in the ATX are made from press formed metals, and some years of the ATX don't even have heat treated gears.

Someone needs to build ATX parts out of super alloys (Inconel, Waspaloy, Ti a+b, etc ect). Then lets see them break after 100k.

I got 174k out of my original. Nothing broke, it just wore out. 65k on my built/rebuild, and like I said, it's great.
 

SHO GoDz 89

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I got 174k out of my original. Nothing broke, it just wore out. 65k on my built/rebuild, and like I said, it's great.

You're lucky to have only had to deal with normal wear and tear of any automatic transmission. But for every 1 of you lucky bastards, there are 100 others who have had catastrophic transmission failure (either from abuse, or just defective internals).

A local SHO guy I know has had to replace his ATX trans 4 times in the past year, and every time we took apart a transmission, the result is the same. Catastrophic failure (the kind that leaves metal shavings in the case).

Something simple as choosing the proper material that can handle cyclic loads will make a huge difference in the life of the transmission.
But obviously engineers are instructed to keep costs down when designing anything...it's not their fault, they are just on a budget.




that just sounds so nice when i mention the durability of a SHO to someone

mention the durability of a SHO

durability of a SHO

durability SHO
Durability and SHO cannot be in the same sentence.
 
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Tecchie

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lolz

SHO and DURABILITY can be put in the same sentence.. my ride was neglected and all I had to do with the motor was have an awesome dude replace my Rod Bearings that were just starting to show copper, and the front cam chain tensioner. easy peasy for that one.. ran a bunch of seam foam through her, and use nothing but AMSOil 5w30 and rockin' it until the tranny fully quit at 225k.
 

Tecchie

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lolz

As far as "Neglected" I meant by that was the previous owner.

I take care of all of my vehicles, even though the motors occasionally run like a ***** ape. :p
 

wrenchturner

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I am currently rebuilding my ATX out of my 1995. I bought it with a bad transmission and the owner had no idea what was wrong with it. I decided to teach myself how to rebuild Auto trans. The car has 177,*** on it and runs strong. Can't wait to drive the car. It sat for five years and started right up when I picked it up. I just had the rotors turned, new pads, full tune up(all filters and fluids), subframe bushings, and also has a rotted brake line everyone speaks of (rear junction block to Pass Side). Other than those few problems, my SHO will be my "new" DD and I can't wait. I have always wanted one for some reason.
 

Tecchie

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I am currently rebuilding my ATX out of my 1995. I bought it with a bad transmission and the owner had no idea what was wrong with it. I decided to teach myself how to rebuild Auto trans. The car has 177,*** on it and runs strong. Can't wait to drive the car. It sat for five years and started right up when I picked it up. I just had the rotors turned, new pads, full tune up(all filters and fluids), subframe bushings, and also has a rotted brake line everyone speaks of (rear junction block to Pass Side). Other than those few problems, my SHO will be my "new" DD and I can't wait. I have always wanted one for some reason.

I can't wait for mine to be my DD again, right now I'm driving our 2007 Jetta.

I've replaced the cam chain tnesioner, had a guy do my rod bearings, bypassed the leaking heater core, the engine has fresh oil in it with less than 500 miles on it.

O2 sensors were replaced by myself including one I had to get to by reaching behind the engine. not fun.. I was told I could go underneath but not so with my gorilla hands/arms...lol

New alternator, Optima RedTop battery.
New timing belt
New plugs
New front Brakes
New struts all around
New water pump
New-ish starter (JY pull in really good/clean shape)
Replaced cubby under radio with CD-Player that failed a few weeks later. (stopped reading CD's)
New high flow fuel pump (stock pressure) 155LPH. used floor hole cut method. got my wonderful pump from the guys at ShoSource

New fuel filter
New headlight bulbs (Sylvania Silverstar Ultras)


What's needed:
Transmission rebuild/replacement with the Road Ripper 1000 from Sho Source
Rear brakes.
Heater core replacement
Blend Door actuator repair
fix steering slop
replace/rebuild power steering pump (leaks a little at high rip and drips on exhaust manifold)

and maybe adjustment of the A/C clutch. Although total system pressure is 90PSI for some reason even on the low side....not sure why. but the A/C compressor never engages.

:swing:
 

gurucomputers

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I agree with hawkeye18. I have 296,000 on my original 94 ATX. Full flush and Filter every 20,000 miles. I drive it hard but I don't beat the living **** out of it.
 

NotSoSlowSHO

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Considering I cannot seem to get more than 50k miles out of a clutch in my '89, an automatic sounds pretty good.

But then Id have to drive it.

Lifespan of a trans is one thing. But I will never own an ATX SHO simply due to the behind the wheel differences.

A SHO s meant to be driven afterall.

As far as MTX parts go, I have a low mileage '89 SHO that I hardly drive anymore, and have 3 "spare" transmissions in the basement.

So I think Im covered there.... :nut:
 

wrenchturner

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Did I hear a someone volunteering to do an ATX rebuild write-up? :munch:

Nope, buy the book from your local transmission parts supplier. It is the key, step by step pictures and directions. It isn't that hard, I was nervous at first but it came out pretty well so far.
 
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