Stage 1 Emission Test and Warranty Concern

[Chip]

quote:Originally posted by rszappa1

if you don't race and drive normally....But then what is the point to install stage one if you are going to drive it no different than you do now.

This is a very valid point and one that I have asked myself as well. Why change to more expensive gas and risk a trany that others have had trouble with? I can not say I have an honest answer other than just for more speed when I want it. Any modification will take place next summer so I have time to think about this very question. I may just find that the turbo light is just fine for my driving style and need.

This is wonderful food for thought and I greatly appreciate your honest and candid responses.

[Gary04GT]

quote:Originally posted by rszappa1
...You are putting that extra power in a tranny that already cant handle what it has and has a bad track record for failure...

Where did you get your information? [:I] Please post some URLS that support this claim as they would be interesting and informative. I have not read any except for a few cases of auto tranny failure. Thanks.

[rszappa1]

I cant beleive you posted that...Have you been alseep...The tranny used in the PT has had trouble since the early 90s....when it was called the Ultra Drive. Go to any tranny shop and see and ask them hoe reliable the chrysler tranny is....They do help to but food on the table for a lot of tranny shops....Do a search on the Tranny and you will find numerous posts with problems with it....

[2step]

rszappal....
Here's a little "research" for you.

http://www.allpar.com/fix/trans.html

Although I'm afraid everyone will only find what they want to find and ignore the rest. It seems to me that over all, the trans has been improved over the years and that bad work and advise from transmission shops cause most of the problems.

[rszappa1]

Dont be in deniel...Look at other mopar forums whether for a mini van...sedan or what....auto tranny trouble....and if you plan on keeping one expect tranny trouble after 80,000 miles and up...if you already have not had trouble....

[Gary04GT]

Sorry, rszappa1, as it was not my intention to put you on the defensive [:I] when I requested you provide documentation in support of your statement that "...You are putting that extra power in a tranny that already cant handle what it has and has a bad track record for failure...". You tell us to check other forums but you do not provide us with specific facts to support your claims that you have read elsewhere on the Internet. FYI, I specifically was referring to the GT Autostick (first introduced in the 2003 model year) and not the n/a engine PT auto tranny.

After doing searches of PTCL and PTCC forums and then a Google search I did not find one instance of failure of a 2003-2005 GT Autostick. However, I did find less than a dozen posts indicating "problems" or "failure" of the n/a PT auto tranny. Also, I came across an interesting comment..."ah... GT with auto stick... a different animal entirely. Non-Turbos with the classic slushbox automatic is a slug." Like 2step said previously..."the trans has been improved over the years and that bad work and advise from transmission shops cause most of the problems."

I have never experienced any problems with my Autostick (either before or after STAGE 1 installation) nor have I heard of others experiencing issues with the GT Autotstick transmission. One reason I changed from a 5-speed manual tranny in my 03GT to the Autostick in my 04GT was because of the reports I read on the "new" Autostick for the PT-GT turbos.

[rszappa1]

Guess what...The Auto Stick uses the same "STUFF" inside and the regular Auto Tranny. They are basically the same transmission...Compare part numbers and you will see the same parts are in both....I am just trying to bring up a point and not start a fight...

[Chip]

Back to the original question about the standard auto trany holding up to to the additional power that the Stage 1 upgrade generates. If they are the same on the inside, and with proper care and routine maintenance, it looks like I can expect it to hold out as well as the autostick version.

Heated debate aside and after reading the link to the tranny page, maintenance with the correct fluids seems to the be ticket to a lasting tranny.

Before making the decision to shift to the stage 1 I need to talk to the dealer or warranty representatives about how it could effect my contract with them. Having the dealer install it also sounds like a good idea so if issues arise after the installation it would have been performed by the same folks who manage the warranty. It looks like no major issues arise as long as additional modifications are not added or under extreme conditions like racing.

Does this sound like a reasonable assumption?

[fastmdpt]

I personally know of 6 failed autosticks, the fourth gear clutches are a problem,, Gary,, you are on ptcruise,, surely you have read the posts there. First names only of failed tranny club,, Tommy, Andy, Paul, Mike, Steve and Gary. These are right off the top of my head,, there are surely more.

Tom.

Oh yea,, none of these cars were stock.

[RossCoe]

260 ft/lbs of torque is the TOP limit of the 41TE - hence the lack of availibility for Stage 2 vehicles with the AT.