need opinion on A4
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,394
Likes: 12
From: Leon Iowa
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
need opinion on A4
What does everybody think about the A4 tranny? Are they a good tranny or are they weak? mine has 50k on my 97 and I hardly ever drive it hard. I guess is what I'm wondering is should I start saving $$ for a future failing tranny or is it not something I should even worry about considering that mine is seldom hotrodded. I've heard good and bad things about them. I always thought it was how they were treated dut maybe I'm wrong. thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,385
Likes: 6
From: Campbell CA
Just had mine replaced at 80k miles - extended warranty covered it. Clutch pads slipping badly.
I drive it hard every chance I get - high rev's in the twisties in 2nd gear. 3rd gear around town and on highways.
A complete factory rebuilt A4 tranny (to latest specs with 36mo 100k mile gaurantee) INSTALLED is only around $3200 - pretty good for a tranny like this.
So at 180k miles I just may need another one
I drive it hard every chance I get - high rev's in the twisties in 2nd gear. 3rd gear around town and on highways.
A complete factory rebuilt A4 tranny (to latest specs with 36mo 100k mile gaurantee) INSTALLED is only around $3200 - pretty good for a tranny like this.
So at 180k miles I just may need another one
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 124,413
Likes: 288
From: .... NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '19
Heat is your enemy for the A4, next mod on my list is an auxiliary trans fluid cooler. The fluid is you power coupling, lubricant and coolant, so keeping it changed per the recommended interval is also important to longevity. 
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Peoria AZ
Originally Posted by StephenT
Heat is your enemy for the A4, next mod on my list is an auxiliary trans fluid cooler. The fluid is you power coupling, lubricant and coolant, so keeping it changed per the recommended interval is also important to longevity.
I killed my transmission due to low fluid and fried the clutches. I had it rebuilt with upgraded parts, shift kit and a transcooler. I would say with a few bolt-ons and a transcooler, you should get plenty of life out of it. -Ed
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Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 716
Likes: 0
From: Long Island City NY
I believe that if you've got a tranny cooler, you should be fine. Mine went out from diving hard and had it built beefier with the shift kit and all. I'm going to be doing a tranny cooler very soon. At least I'll need it for sure with the torque converter I'm planning.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 2
From: Woodbridge VA
Originally Posted by Freestyler
how (specifically) do you check the fluid level on an A4?
Get the car in the air. Unscrew the plug that is on the side of the trans. If fluid come out it's overfilled, if nothing comes out fill it up until it the fluid level reaches the bottom of the hole. Or fluid starts coming out. There is no dip stick to check.
The engine/trans might need to be hot also but I'm not sure.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Peoria AZ
Originally Posted by Crispyc21
Without getting to technical...
Get the car in the air. Unscrew the plug that is on the side of the trans. If fluid come out it's overfilled, if nothing comes out fill it up until it the fluid level reaches the bottom of the hole. Or fluid starts coming out. There is no dip stick to check.
The engine/trans might need to be hot also but I'm not sure.
Get the car in the air. Unscrew the plug that is on the side of the trans. If fluid come out it's overfilled, if nothing comes out fill it up until it the fluid level reaches the bottom of the hole. Or fluid starts coming out. There is no dip stick to check.
The engine/trans might need to be hot also but I'm not sure.
But don't forget to have the car running and the trans temp to be around 130-140 degrees before checking. -Ed
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 132
From: Plano TX
Originally Posted by LS1_redvette
While we're on the subject of trans coolers what did you guys go with and was it a somewhat easy install?
B
B
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,394
Likes: 12
From: Leon Iowa
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Originally Posted by David426
Mine fried at 40000 miles. Trans temp actually got up to around 250 degrees on a scorching hot day last October. That was the straw that did it in
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 591
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Stock is good for stock power. You will break the stocker as you mod for more power.
Tranny coolers--be weary of the slip fit ones like the B&M, they have been know to fail and will leave you stranded and in need of a new tranny if it does. I went with a Setrab unit and braided lines with AN fittings.
Tranny coolers--be weary of the slip fit ones like the B&M, they have been know to fail and will leave you stranded and in need of a new tranny if it does. I went with a Setrab unit and braided lines with AN fittings.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,394
Likes: 12
From: Leon Iowa
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Originally Posted by BLOWN'NC
Stock is good for stock power. You will break the stocker as you mod for more power.
Tranny coolers--be weary of the slip fit ones like the B&M, they have been know to fail and will leave you stranded and in need of a new tranny if it does. I went with a Setrab unit and braided lines with AN fittings.
Tranny coolers--be weary of the slip fit ones like the B&M, they have been know to fail and will leave you stranded and in need of a new tranny if it does. I went with a Setrab unit and braided lines with AN fittings.
