guess what this is? (I broke something)

[stellasmechanic]

So i was out driving the mach today for the first time in 4 months. I installed 430 gears and got a tune from vmp over the winter. Anyways, I drove my wife to dinner and a couple places and then took the car for a 3/4 throttle jaunt for about 1/8th mile. As the night wore on, I noticed it took more and more throttle to get the car to move. It also seemed like it took forever to accelerate once i pressed the gas.

Upon my arrival home, I couldn't make it up the driveway. I gunned the car and it just rolled down the driveway. I tried again and same thing. (it wasn't in neutral) Finally after shifting from drive to 2nd then 1st and finally drive again, I made it into the garage. Fearing the worst, I drained the torque converter and transmission to see if something was wrong. Here is what I found at the bottom of the pan after drainging the torque converter by itself.
Any ideas what it is or what is going on?

[Fenixfire]

Wow........talk about a high res photo........Im on my 42" LCD and I still had to scroll to see those photos!

Darrin could answer your question. Either way, it doesnt sound good

[DarkMach1]

clutch???

[ASH302]

Originally Posted by Fenixfire

it doesnt sound good

1+ agreed

[NTMAREMACH]

Looks like the old raisins it the trans. thing.

JK Hope it's not to bad.

[blk 04 mach 1]

It is an automatic transmission? if so that is a lot of gear!

[birdman941]

Pic is too small, can't quite see it.

[my fear]

Originally Posted by blk 04 mach 1

It is an automatic transmission? if so that is a lot of gear!

unless he got a new 5 spd that has drive i think its an automatic lol.

[tom281]

Or the new 5 speed that has a torque converter......

Unless your oil turned to raisins from heat or abuse, I don't know what to think other then that the leaf is the culprit.

[DSPTurtle]

OMG... your car turns tranny fluid into rubies!!! Nice dude!!! I bet one of the clutches blew up in your slush box. Double A... beep beep, M. C. O. I used to love those AAMCO commercials.
Did you pull the trans filter yet?

[stellasmechanic]

Originally Posted by blk 04 mach 1

It is an automatic transmission? if so that is a lot of gear!

Its a nice weather only car so gas mileage is irrelevant.

[stellasmechanic]

Originally Posted by DSPTurtle

OMG... your car turns tranny fluid into rubies!!! Nice dude!!! I bet one of the clutches blew up in your slush box. Double A... beep beep, M. C. O. I used to love those AAMCO commercials.
Did you pull the trans filter yet?

I pulled the filter but haven't cut it open yet. That is next.

[rhite95]

Let us know what it is.

[blk 04 mach 1]

just wondering when the reference to clutch was made... must have been talking about the clutch pack in an automatic.

[stellasmechanic]

Well I dropped the trans and and everything looked good in the pan. I filled the torque converter by hand and then sloshed it around and dumped it out. I found more of the same particles. It looks like the torque converter went bad. Kinda sad considering it's designed for 450 hp and 7000rpm. It has less than 3k miles on it.

I'm beyond pissed at the moment but what can I do except buy new stuff. I do have a question though. Can a tune mess up your transmission that fast. The only mod I have done since driving the car in fall was 4:30 gears and a mail order tune. I drove a whopping ten miles on the new gears and tune before the torque converter got shot. Is it just coincidence or what?

[Mustang9668]

I would call Darrin at bc automotive and tell him what happened. He is probably the most knowledgeable person on this board when it comes to our transmissions but I don't think he comes on here too much. Who did you buy your converter from? I know a tune can screw a trans up but i'm not sure on how fast it would happen. Good luck.

[Fenixfire]

A tune can definitely screw up an auto trans. Whether or not that is what caused your problem I dont know. You should definitely get in contact with Darrin. I dont have his number but you can send him a PM on here and Im sure he will respond.

[stellasmechanic]

I have his number. I got a transmission from him before. I was just hoping it wouldn't be time for another one from him anytime soon.

[rhite95]

Have you got any news yet? What is the brand is the converter?

[tom281]

Pretty sure it was a dirtydog performance unit.

[stellasmechanic]

Originally Posted by rhite95

Have you got any news yet? What is the brand is the converter?

No news yet. I did drop the trans and swish some more fluid through the converter and it is chock full of the same material. Nothing in the pan or filter though when I cut it open.

The TC is a Dirty dog converter but would prefer not to speculate on whether that was the problem until I figure out exactly what failed. The converter has been shipped out to get cut open and I'm talking to darrin about a possible complete trans as well.

I'll let you know as soon as I get some more information.

Luke

[one mach 1]

Originally Posted by stellasmechanic

No news yet. I did drop the trans and swish some more fluid through the converter and it is chock full of the same material. Nothing in the pan or filter though when I cut it open.

The TC is a Dirty dog converter but would prefer not to speculate on whether that was the problem until I figure out exactly what failed. The converter has been shipped out to get cut open and I'm talking to darrin about a possible complete trans as well.

I'll let you know as soon as I get some more information.

Luke

My guess that there was an additive in the fluid that clumped up. Teflon based maybe.

[stellasmechanic]

It was regular mercon v and I have been using it for years in other cars. Who knows.

[tom281]

Good luck Luke, keep us posted.

[stellasmechanic]

Originally Posted by tom281

Good luck Luke, keep us posted.

I will. My wife just told me to buy a transmission and 4500 stall from darrin and quit worrying about it. What a great wife.