A month ago I pulled the engine from the Camaro and bored it .030 over and added some goodies like a cam and headers. All well and good. It took around 3 weeks from start to finish. Point of clarification: Auto trans. As I am driving home one time (~200 miles) The tach starts to do something strange. I'm going 65 mph and the tach keeps jumping from 3.5k to 5K. Something like a clutch was slipping. So i get within a mile of my house and it's the first time i've taken off from a start since i left. The engine revs all the way up to 6k and the car only goes about 3-4 miles an hour. Well i limp it about 100 yards to a shopping center. I check the trans fluid and it's not even on the stick. DAMNIT!

Anyway, so here is where i am. I don't know too much about about transmissions, but i know this one has to get fixed because i really want to enjoy my engine which is only about 300 miles old. If i leave it sit to get cold it'll grab reverse and allow me to back up and drive up threw the gears once. then it won't grab the gears anymore.

It does make a noise that sound like something is revolving so i'm sure something is broken inside.

If you all could maybe point me in the right direction i'd really appreciate it. Some suggestions to the problem would be great. thanks!

 

I would just order a performance transmission already built.
That would be the best course of action IMO

 

Assuming that you have refilled the transmission to the proper level and it is still acting up, you most likely have an internal failure in the transmission and or torque converter. I assume since the vehicle drove well for some time that it had alteast some fluid in it, enough to opperate and hold pressure at some point and either leaked it out, or overheated do to improper fluid level and burned a clutch or broke in internal peice(there are lots of parts to break in an AT trans). I am assuming its a 700r4 trans which is popular and prevelent and shouldnt cost you too much to replace or rebuild. If it were mine, I would opt for a performance built 700 like the man B4 says. Some trans shops offer them or you can pick one up from hughes or ati etc. If you are going to be doing the work I would also spend the time to flush the cooler. Whenever an AT fails it is a good idea to do so. good luck

 

Thank you all for the responses. I would like to do the work myself however i have not, a lift. I can use a lift if i am able to move the car. scaled of 1-10 how hard is it to remove the transmissions from one of these cars. It didn't seem that bad when i rebuilt the engine. I would like to not take out the engine to replace the trans as everything is painted and nice now.

Also, around how much would a performance transmission cost? I'm not a trans person so I would probably give it to a shop and I don't want to get ripped off. Thanks for all the help guys. =)

 

check summit and jegs for trans prices, usually a little over 1K$. with a lift R&R is skill 3. Without is 5 PITA. Not hard at all really its about as easy as they come. dont remove engine to do trans.

 

Pulling an automatic isn't that bad on these cars even if your doing it on your back. Should take you about 2.5 or 4 hours it just sucks because you have to deal with ATF. But on the plus side its only about a dozen bolts to remove. If you do it on the ground just have a buddy with you to help balance the tranny on a jack when you remove it. As far as the replacement if thats the way you go I would go straight to monster transmissions. From my experience when it comes to reliability and value you can't beat them.

 

Yes, it's easy once you get the top 2 bolts off but pain to install. If you can raise the car high enough and use a transmission jack then it would help (be able to adjust the position in fine increments) otherwise be prepared for &%%&*$*%&*^ and a few bruised knuckles. Best to remove the distributer since the geometry of the engine will want to tilt towards the firewall.