Decisions decisions
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 778
Likes: 1
From: Chantilly VA
Decisions decisions
My 02 A4 stocker has developed a tranny leak. Found it just last weekend. A respected Vette shop says $500 plus, to pull and replace seal. Will check it out and refill fluid that's lost. They say that the added fluid may/will act as a detergent and other problems may start to show. I got almost 60k on ticker.
So, should I just bite the bullet and go a RPM trans, or do the stop gap and see what happens? I've been wanting to add HPs in the future, so I wonder if I should start with the tranny buld up first, get it done, and then no worries as I add HPs later when the money is available. Opinions?
So, should I just bite the bullet and go a RPM trans, or do the stop gap and see what happens? I've been wanting to add HPs in the future, so I wonder if I should start with the tranny buld up first, get it done, and then no worries as I add HPs later when the money is available. Opinions?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,460
Likes: 16
From: hamilton alabama
tough choice and depending on what kind of hp you are looking to run in the future but if you have the funds and if the tranny needs to come out anyway might as well put a RPM in and while you are at it i would add a stall as well and then your done! 
Rick
Rick
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,549
Likes: 30
From: Shenandoah Valley Virginia
Have you ever serviced the transmission - fluid and filter change ?? If you have, then I would not worry at all about adding new fluid when the repair is made. If you are running on the factory fill at 60K miles, there is a slight possibility of additional problems cropping up. This type of problem happens on higher 100K plus mile cars that have never been serviced, used up fluid and cruddy filter when replaced can cause valve body and clutch problems. If you are absolutely sure that you are going to build the motor then the RPM tranny is the way to go. If not, save the extra $ towards the future mods. On the high stall speed converter, drive a car with one before you make this change. They drive differently and you might not like it.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 778
Likes: 1
From: Chantilly VA
Thanks for replys. Yep thinking of the extra now vs doing later. One thing that has been bothering me is lately I have suffered gas milage drop of 4-5. The tranny does not seem as if it slipping, but once I saw this leak, it got me wondering. I just did new plugs and wires, once on highway, milage is almost back where it should be. City is tearing me up, getting only 17 where the same DD was getting over 20 depending on how playful I do. It seems we think the same as far as if I'm going to HP a bit later, then why not do the tranny change now instead of service. I guess I'll call the RPM folks. Thanks again
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,360
Likes: 24,783
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
If you have the money, I'd go ahead and get the RPM unit now since you plan to upgrade the HP later. No sense in paying for the labor twice.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
Likes: 356
From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
If money is not a problem then go for it!
But to have then drain the fluid and do a Filter change as well as a tranny flus it will "NOT" all of a sudden fall apart and start springing leaks everywhere!
If you planned on replacing it soon then go for the RPM all the way
Thanks,Matt
But to have then drain the fluid and do a Filter change as well as a tranny flus it will "NOT" all of a sudden fall apart and start springing leaks everywhere!
If you planned on replacing it soon then go for the RPM all the way
Thanks,Matt
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
as others if you have the money do it now, if you're certain you are going to upgrade HP.
But at 60K I doubt seriously there's anything wrong with the mechanics of this tranny. Most manufacturers don't even recommend a tranny service until at least 60K. I haven't looked at the intervals on a C5 but surely they aren't much different are they?
But this also depends on how the car was driven and treated.
But at 60K I doubt seriously there's anything wrong with the mechanics of this tranny. Most manufacturers don't even recommend a tranny service until at least 60K. I haven't looked at the intervals on a C5 but surely they aren't much different are they?
But this also depends on how the car was driven and treated.
