Hey. I was wondering how much whp these 3rd Gen TL transmissions can take. I'm specifically referring to the 3.2 Liter 5 speed Automatic. Whats the greatest whp and torque you guys have recorded on these? Was it still working ok-how long did your transmission last? (I hope it's still going.)

 

2nd and 3rd gear clutchpacks are the weak point of the TL trans
heat them up and they wear out fast~

 

prolly around 300-350 hp. I don't think the power is the issue, it's more like the lack of lubrication being the issue with the clutch packs just like 01tl04tl said.

 

thats correct- low flow of cooling fluid leads to heat...which is the killer
AND guess what a load of torque coming at them is??

 

transmission cooler, synthetic redline transmission fluid, 3rd and 4th gear sensors replaced and I wouldn't doubt that the TL tranny could last at least 325+ WHP.

 

Thank you. I know for a fact that someone turboed an automatic 2nd generation Cl type s and supposedly his transmission lasted for a while. That generation of transmission was nothing but horror stories buti guess his transmission was a good one?? Neways I wanted to see how far you can push the envelope with this transmission.

Its pretty much the same auto transmission as the 2nd gen tl type s with some improvements as i understand it. I want to know how good these improvements really are.

 

whats the turbo 3G TL AT pushing? i can't remember from the thread...

 

this is a good question because im getting an '07 AT TL tranny swapped in tomorrow with a tranny cooler.

 

The 2nd gear lube problem has been fixed since the intro of the 3G.

The 3rd gear clutch pack problem is cured by replacing the 3rd and 4th gear sensors. It never was a problem with the clutches themselves or even a physical problem at all. I've proven time and time again the the sensors are the root of the problem.

I wouldn't run the factory Z1 fluid in any performance application, not even a stock TL. Run a good synthetic fluid like Amsoil and especially Redline D4.

The failures that I have seen were caused from slipping clutches which were likely caused by electrical issues.

Too much power will do one of two things...

Cause the clutch packs to slip or break parts.

You can band aid the clutch slippage problem with a fluid with less friction modifiers like the Amsoil and Redline mentioned. They not only will take lots more heat over a longer time period but they will raise the friction coefficient of the clutches. Honda uses the Z1 fluid because it's heavily friction modified for super smooth shifts, something you don't want if you want the trans to live.

The other way to increase clutch holding power without going inside and adding additional clutches to the clutch packs or swapping clutches out is to raise line pressure similar to old school shift kits. This could likely be done electronically but as far as I know no one has attempted it yet. However as you bump line pressure and/or make the shifts harder you increase the likelihood of breaking parts. That's why it's a balance of nice quick shifts but not so hard you're breaking stuff.

Personally I would throw a good fluid in there, replace the sensors, and keep it on regular street tires. Spinning sucks but it's less likely to hurt the trans. Wheelhop is the worst thing you can do to a trans.

To answer the original question, I know of at least one 100,000+ mile supercharged TL with 0 transmission problems.

As you significantly increase hp you need to eventually find a way to ramp up line pressure quicker to match the new power to prevent slippage The line pressure rise is designed to match the stock power curve. You can't expect the trans to last with the stock settings when a turbo TL makes more power at 50% throttle and 3,500rpm than a stock TL at full power.

 

Hello All:

I'm at about 85,000 miles and no tranny issues so far.

S/C has been on since about 45,000 miles.

Tim

 

thats great to hear.

 

That's very encouraging. How much wheel horsepower/ torque are you putting down?

 

k6biv
302.7 WHP 251.3 Torque