More than likely blew my ATS!

[Lorenz]

so it was shifting while locked up? shouldn't the commander unlock, shift then lock up again.



if the commander doesn't do this then whats the advantage of a $600 transmission controller when you can make a lock up switch for less than a dollar.

 

[Eskimo1]

You can select the commander to unlock between shifts, or not unlock. The manual states with their transmission, you can leave it locked between shifts. I will say the 2-3 shift when locked is HARD!! I normally set mine in the center of its adjustment, so the only locked shift is 3-4. If I'm setting it lower, I will manually hold the gear, so it won't upshift, and when the time comes, back off the throttle, or shut off the commander, and shift.

 

[CATCRACKER]

Eskimo you got stock shafts?



Yes it was locked when it popped.



FYI: billet shafts made out of 300M are to hard they have no play and can pop! there is a better billet shaft out there make sure what you are getting. it is going to cost you at least $600 just for the input wow

 

[Lorenz]

w/o getting everybody in a war, can you suggest the "better" material and who's using it. if you think a transmission war is going to ensue, just state the better material, ill do the homework on the company

 

[CATCRACKER]

i know DTT and ATS dont use the 300M anymore. I have spoken with both on the phone. However, you can still buy the 300M's if you want to they run like 300ish vs 700ish for the newer billet material. 300M is probably fine for most but i am going up from here in HP. All i am going to change is the input and piston and one other thing i can't remember.



I am no metalergist and no expert but that's what i have been told to this point.

 

[CaptNemo]

CAT,

Is ATS going to freshen the trans up while it's there getting the input shaft installed ? If he's willing to do it for the cost of parts, then new frictions and soft parts may be a good idea. Also, did they recomend any other durability upgrades that could be done during this service cycle ?



I'm a believer in over building drivetrain systems. It keeps breakage to a minimum.

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

The problem are the lock to lock shifts. Without Billet shafts, Thar she blows. No transmission manufacturer will warrant that situation. Even the one who says you can shift it locked to lock... .

 

[StakeMan]

You can't make a blanket statement like that. I'm still on my factory shafts with 140,000 miles. Even shifting locked on the track from 1st gear up, they haven't snapped. I've heard of OEM shafts breaking on stock powered trucks.

The problem are the lock to lock shifts. Without Billet shafts, Thar she blows. No transmission manufacturer will warrant that situation. Even the one who says you can shift it locked to lock... .

 

[RAndrae]

ats no way

Well I have been researching all the different aftermarket trannys for about a year. About 4 monthes ago I decided on ATS. I recommended this to two friends that went ahead and got the complete ATS transmission. One friend has a 96 that is near stock and the other is company that tows alot and their truck is a 97 which is mildly bombed ie #12 plate. both of these trannies have had a huge array of problems from the very start. ATS in my opinion did not stand behind these guys like they should have. both of these guys are completly unhappy and ****** that after 5000$$ each got treated the way they did from ATS. I will not refer ATs nor will I be buying one.

 

[tractorface]

No warm Fuzzies here either

I did not get the feeling I was looking for when I called them (ATS) either. Had trouble getting me to a vendor in my area and the vendor said "Oh yeah I did one of those a while back and it worked real good".

In Fairness I think the transmission can only be as good as the rebuilder. That is why a person should talk to the person doing the work before plunking down big $$$$. It may be that some vendors are more careful about who does work on thier behalf than others. Bottom line is Buyer Beware.

 

[diesel4power]

TST installed my ATS and with about 7000 miles so far so good. I have stock shafts and always shift 2nd - 3rd locked, I leave the controller set like this all the time, I love the feel of the firm hard shift. At the track I launch hard enough to get 1. 8 60' times. I spent more money on this transmission than I usually spend on my vehicles and now you guys got me all worried I need to go spunk another 2k for the billet stuff. Oh well I reckon we'll just wait and see.



Paul

 

[CATCRACKER]

you will be sorry.

 

[MCummings]

you guys got me all worried I need to go spunk another 2k for the billet stuff.

No need to worry about 2k.



If you can R&R the transmission yourself it's a margin under 1k, you only need to worry about that .



Down here it's about $250 to R&R (remove&re-install) a transmission. Putting in a billet shaft when the old one has not broken yet is a simple swap. removing a broken input shaft could leave you in a position where it would be necassary to buy a new TC, new pump, and misc. seals.



I got lucky and just "expanded" the hub, and stripped the splines right off the input shaft. I did not "snap" it.



Merrick

 

[SEmerson]

I broke a 300m input 3 weeks ago. I now have the newer input installed. Mine broke very rough. Pieces everywhere. It trashed the TC and Pump. The whole trans had to be tore down to be cleaned. But on a good note the trans looked brand new inside. I have had it for about 1. 5 years and it showed less that 1 thousands wear on the plates.

 

[ChadHarlan]

I have over 40,000 miles on my ATS transmission. Stock input shaft, and I boost launch at the strip. Sled pull with it. And it is holding up just fine. And I do abuse my transmission every chance I get.

 

[Cooker]

I have over 40,000 miles on my ATS transmission. Stock input shaft, and I boost launch at the strip. Sled pull with it. And it is holding up just fine. And I do abuse my transmission every chance I get.

Some people have all the luck

 

[diesel4power]

Originaly posted by CATCRACKER

you will be sorry

Just an FYI for all to see. It finaly happened to me, I broke the input shaft. What a bummer, I was going shopping with the wife comming out of a 35 limit, accelerated up to 50 and "POP" no gears, engine just revs like it's in neutral.

I have had the ATS since April this year and they say the warranty covers nothing in my case. So here I am again spending a sustantial sum on the transmission. Beware guys it will go with no warning, I did not have the hammer down, I was taking it easy.

 

[Cooker]

And for the rest of us...

Just an FYI for all to see. It finaly happened to me, I broke the input shaft. What a bummer, I was going shopping with the wife comming out of a 35 limit, accelerated up to 50 and "POP" no gears, engine just revs like it's in neutral.

I have had the ATS since April this year and they say the warranty covers nothing in my case. So here I am again spending a sustantial sum on the transmission. Beware guys it will go with no warning, I did not have the hammer down, I was taking it easy.

Sorry to hear about you input shaft popping. Hopefully the repair does not hurt you wallet too bad.

 

[Don-T]

Why does the warantee not cover the broken shaft?

 

[diesel4power]

Why does the warantee not cover the broken shaft?

Apparently none of the transmission companys will warranty the shafts. I should not have been tight and parted with the extra cash for the billet input. If the shaft broke clean then I have the cost of the new shaft (billet this time) and a wopping $500-600 installation charge. I'd do it myself but I don't have a place to do it. Only good thing to come out of this is ATS are going to let me upgrade to the new convertor for a nominal fee.