ATX help in Jacksonville, FL

[jgates1994]

I have a '94 SHO ATX... it has never been a particularly smooth shifting car (had it 9 months) and it often seems not not be able to decide what gear to be in when driving around town (35-50 MPH). In the last few days the trans shifting has deteriorated to the point where driving it is almost dangerous (accelerating into traffic for ex.) Is there ANYONE on this forum who can point me to some local dealer or trans shop in the Jacksonville, FL area that I can trust to know what they're doing and who will be "fair" $$$$-wise???? ANY help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

THANX!
John Gates
mailto:[email protected][email protected]</a>
904-543-7758

<small>[ October 03, 2002, 11:27 PM: Message edited by: jgates1994 ]</small>

 

[SolidState]

Jacksonville....If I recall correctly, you are bout 2-3 hours from Atlanta, GA, correct?

If so, I wouldn't hesitate to take the car up to Doug Lewis at Ford Performance Specialists and have him rebuilt your tranny and be done with it.

There is NO better tranny than this one. Not even a brand new OEM from Ford.

You will pay a bit more for the rebuild and installation, but I can almost GUARATEE you it will never, ever act up again.

Hope this helps

 

[shojuan]

It's not just the fact that his shop is fairly close to you. Doug's ATX for the SHO is considered to be the *best* in America. North America. As in the USA and Canada. It's tried and true.

Rick

 

[SHOZ123]

I drove a 1000 miles for one from FPS.

<small>[ October 04, 2002, 07:23 AM: Message edited by: SHOZ123 ]</small>

 

[jgates1994]

Thanx, for the FPS recommendations! I will call them to get the details... but it is 389 miles to Atlanta from here... 7+hours... I was hoping to find someone in the area to take it to for a careful diagnosis of the problem(s)... it wouldn't be the first time I made a long trip spent $$$$ only to find out what was "fixed" was not really the problem... currently the "problems" are intermittant.

Thanx again
John Gates
[email protected]
904-543-7758

<small>[ October 04, 2002, 09:02 AM: Message edited by: jgates1994 ]</small>

 

[luigisho]

Isn't Don D.'s shop in the Jacksonville area? Maybe he has a good recommendation. Although I know he uses FPS for alot of his specialty work too.

 

[jgates1994]

LuigiSho -- Don Donaldson is South of Sarasota on the Gulf coast approx 7/8 hours... he has worked on my SHO and I have sent him an e-mail... he did a great job on my SHO a few months back. wish he was closer!!! THANX!!!

<small>[ October 04, 2002, 07:17 PM: Message edited by: jgates1994 ]</small>

 

[Bizzy]

Check the VSS first. My 95 Taurus SE is having a similar problem, and many ppl are pointing to having a bad VSS sensor, which is like a $25 part. My 95 has an AX4S which I think is the same one most if not all gen2 SHO's got?

There is a good post on the tauruscarclub.com forum. Search for Vehicle Speed Sensor, and it will tell you how to test that sensor without removing it from the car.

 

[jgates1994]

NetViper -- Definitely a place to start!!! Thanx!

 

[luigisho]

Once again a victim of geographic ignorance. At least I got the right state.
Have you checked the recommended shops list at shoclub or shotimes site? I know it's out there on one of those sites. No guarantee if your area is on it but maybe worth a look.
John do you remember the name of Don's shop? I've forgotten and it's been bugging me.

Hey I thought i was right. I just looked over at the shotimes.com website. The mechanics hall of fame Don's shop (Extreme Motorsports) listed in Jacksonville Fl. Maybe he's moved?

<small>[ October 04, 2002, 08:02 PM: Message edited by: luigisho ]</small>

 

[naval-avi8or]

John welcome to the forum. I also have a 94ATX and have recently (6 jul 02) moved to the JAX area. I can't help you with the knowledge of any mechs in the Jax area, but I can offer my assitance and advice. I had to have my ATX rebuilt about 9 mounths ago and can feel your pain. I can say I wish I could gotten a FPS tranny since I paid 2510.00 for getting mine rebuilt in SOCAL.

 

[jgates1994]

LuigiSho -- The listing of Don's shop (Extreme Motorsports) in mechanics hall of fame on the shotimes.com website is incorrect (out of date). I could not locate anyone or shop by that name... I did locate a Don Donaldson in the Sarasota (FL) area who worked on my SHO as mentioned above... he works out of his garage at home...

I have also responded to naval-avi8or off-line and hope to take advantage of his offer and meet.

 

[Wigglespank]

I know I may be going against the grain here but I had my 94 ATX rebuilt by a local AMMCO dealer. The rebuild comes with a 30,000 3yr warranty. I ve put bout 6,000 on it since the work has been done and im still happy to report no problems. The price though isnt what id call cheap. $1900

Tampa, Fla
94 ATX

 

[shojuan]

I think the important thing to remember here is that an ATX transmission rebuilt by Doug Lewis is *tried and true*. There might be some other guys who can do a good job but it's a crap shoot. Over and over and over the forum has heard tales of the Doug Lewis tranny. They just don't die. I think kaoticsho is the shining example. He has tried to **** his Doug Lewis tranny with his supercharged SHO. It won't die.

Wigglespank, I wish you many years of trouble free miles on your tranny. Maybe you won the crap shoot on that one.

Rick