Atx

[Fordlover96]

Hey guys, I've heard very bad things about the ATX in the 93-95 SHO. Mine is currently at 69,000. It has harsh shifting until the tranny is fully warmed up, and slight slippage in the lower gears. How much longer do you think it will last? I plan on changing my fluid every year, with ATP synthetic fluid. And if it does go, where should i go? I would not be buying a rebuilt one and installing it, as i do know how to. So AAMCO? Local transmisson shop? Thanks once again guys!

 

[sperold]

The ATXs have an image problem, but there is nothing inherently wrong with them. The MTXs are reportedly more fun to drive.
There are currently ATXs for sale on this forum, some with recent rebuilds and one with a special gear ratio (3.91 or 4.00 or something like that) and that is not going to change soon.
As a general rule, keep your SHO away from shops that do not specialize in them, and even the Ford dealerships have lost their knowledge on these SHOs.
Your automatic will probably last a long time if treated properly.

 

[NoSlo]

If you have a 93, the first thing is to get a D4U1 computer out of a 94-95 ATX car, this has revised shift tables and pressures for better life and response. The computer controls the shifting on the car, and it only knows what it gets from the sensors, so things like vehicle speed sensor (on the back of the tranny, hard to get to) and other sensors like coolant temp must be working correctly for the car to behave.
I did my first tranny fluid and filter change with Amsoil ATF, but for $125 in fluid to do a thorough flush including the torque converter and lines, I've just used the plain-old ATF since. I can attest that when not driven like a burnout teenager and with proper maintenance you can get into the quarter-million mile club with the original tranny.

 

[rubydist]

there is absolutely no need to replace atf every year with synthetic atf. unless that atf is overheated, it will last 100k miles. many new vehicles service schedules no not ask for any trans service until 60k or 100k miles.

as mentioned above, if you treat it right, there is a good chance it will last longer than your interest in the car.

 

[Fordlover96]

Thanks guys. The only problem i have is that my car is already starting to show the signs of a failing transmission. The car does shift harsh until warmed up, as i already said, but you can still defiantly feel the shifts. And it does slip when im in 2 and 3 gear, like when i press on the pedal a little the car speeds up, but only after the tach goes up before that. I do hope to do a flush soon, and i cant add one of those newer computers. Im short on cash, and dont know how to do it myself. So ill just do the maintenance and probably add a cooler, and see how it goes. Thanks again guys!

 

[sperold]

As mentioned, the 94 and 95 computer controller (that you can advertise for on this forum) just might firm up your shifts and solve your lag problem. If I am not mistaken, it is a plug and play installation that requires nothing else. If and when you do the fluid renewal, you can double-check your pick-up screen to make sure you are getting enough volume through your tranny.
Unless your fluid smells scorched and has lost its distinctive red colour, it is not mandatory to renew it. Although it is not directly applicable, the Tempos of the same. era had a "lubed for life" claim that indicated you never had to renew the fluid.. ever.
Get the new controller first. It will be cheaper than the fluid renewal.

 

[Fordlover96]

I hear ya, but i dont even know where the controller is. If it is buried somewhere way behind the dash, there's no way i could do it. But if it simple, i would save up the money and get one and do it.

 

[tommyturbo]

I bet based on milage it is something to do with valve body, shift solenoids, vss. my 95 atx did all sorts of weird stuff, new shift solenoids, vss, and it is a very happy atx with 160K. computer is not that hard to get at, but it is in the dash.

 

[Fordlover96]

Now Ik this is an old(er) thread but I have a quick question. I still have the rather harsh shift until the trans warms up, but I noticed that if I manually shift the trans from 1 to 2, that the 1-2 harsh shift doesn't happen. Maybe bad VSS?

 

[msteiny]

No, I just changed my VSS and it still shifts hard at low speeds or until it warms up.