I have a 2002 C5 Auto with 75k miles, I had it out the other day and it started slipping when downshifting. It shifts fine under WOT from dead stop all the way up through the gears, but if I am cruising at like 70 and punch it, it drops down and feels like it is slipping until it grabs and surges forward then accelerates normally. I have never had the fluid or filter changed or serviced. Is it to late? or should I have the trans fluid purged and changed?

 

Have the pan pulled if any trash there, go to a new one. more times than not after having trouble in there, If you go to all the trans chg it will more times than not get worse. And that is 125.00 more.unless you have lift and can do your self.

 

Go to a new what?

 

a new trans of course....

 

It's on the way out. You'll lose high gear first...don't get stuck with only first and second, it will make for a long ride home or to a shop. I don't think a transmission fluid and filter change is gonna fix your problem. Your description is the exact same problem I had in my Z28. As soon as high gear started slipping, I lost everything but first and second shortly there after. It would be fine at WOT, but that will fail as well....soon.

 

 

I'd change the filter and fluid first and start hunting for a C5 tech to rebuild and upgrade your tranny. The fluid change will buy you sometime but it is a kiss of death when they start to slip. What temps does your tranny see? Any codes in the DIC?

 

I lost everything but 1st and 2nd within 2 days of slipping in fourth as the OP described. I was going to change the fluid and filter but the rest failed before I could get it to a shop. I wouldn't drive it far...it's going to fail.

 

had a bout a week on my wifes car after slipping started.

 

How hard is it to remove this trans? (I have restored a Jeep from the frame up, so I have some abilities) Can it be done on ramps / jack stands, or is it still to close to the ground?

 

In my opinion, get yourself to a specialized vette shop and for 1500 you could get a rebuild. When I got mine, I noticed how messed up my trans has been before it started slipping in high gear.

 

Contact Rodney@ RPMtransmissions.

Get a RPM Tranny from them and you'll be set for life (especially if you power level is stock or close to it).
www.rpmtransmissions.com

 

Once it slips the damage is done. Fluid is for cooling purposes.

 

http://www.finishlinetrans.com/ or RPM ,i would let either one of these 2 build my tranny ,no question about it both do great work ,i have an Flt tranny in my car now ,& as yours bit the dust ,mine did as well ,i also upgraded to a 3600 Yankss converter in the process of them putting the new Flt tranny in the car ,it has been a good transmission,i have this tranny for 2 to 3 yrs now,i was also @ 400 rwhp with this tranny & a B & M Supercooler along with it ,this will help ease the fluid temps ,especially with a big converter, i then decided to add a sc ,Novi 2k & jumped to over 160 rwhp with this same tranny & converter ,they are holding up nicely on the new found power but i was advised not to go over the 600rwhp mark on chuck Johnson's Flt level 4 tranny ,so if i had to do it again ,i would opt for an Level 5 ,u will definatley wanna contact one or both & talk to both of them before u make up your mind who to go with ,if u do decide u wanna have it rebuilt ,just make 100 % sure they know how to build a EL460 & They back up there work, warning : I have been down this road before,i ended up with An flt level 4 , the rebuilt tranny broke twice in 2 months ,i then decided to go with the best in the buisiness ,cant go wrong with either vendors ,gl with your choices