terrible day at track with perfect DA today - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Stephen12ZL1 · 03-01-2014, 02:08 PM

I went to the track again and had some transmission issues on the 1-2 shift. I am going to change the fluid and see if it helps. The DA today was -800ft at noon so time to hit the track and try to beat my PB. Not today...the transmission flared terribly on the 1-2 shift and immediately plopped the tranny into 3rd and the rest of the run was uneventful. Tried again with similar if not worse results just to make sure the tranny was indeed glazing or slipping. I'm not sure if swapping fluid is going to help, but it is a simple thing to try. I decided to tuck my tail and leave before the car had to be towed home. On the ride home, the 1-2 is definitely not as positive at part throttle using the paddles. The other shift changes feel fine. Anyone have an additive they like...lol! The fluid level may be slightly low as I heard this can cause erratic behavior (hope & prayer). Putting the car on ramps now to cool off and going to get the approved Dexron 6 fluid our cars require. Mobil 1 universal synthetic is not rx for our cars. Mobil makes a specific dexron 6 fluid now. So, what did the car run even with the slippy 1-2 shift then bump to 3rd. 10.88@131.87 & 10.93@129.74. Both of my 1/8 mile mph were 101.5. Car was running great and the track prep was spectacular.

white ZL1 · 03-01-2014, 04:52 PM

I hope it isn't hard parts in the trans. Fingers crossed.
Not sure what else it could be though.

Stephen12ZL1 · 03-01-2014, 06:05 PM

Everyone with an auto needs to double check their transmission fluid level which is no easy task. CTSv forums are full of tips & tricks and this low fluid is a known issue. My car has never leaked but I have swapped the radiator. I added a qt to make sure it wasn't low at that time. It was probably 2 full QTS low before the fluid change. 4ish came out and it required 6.3 to bring it to full which is what the owners manual states. Car must be elevated and level with the car idling to confirm the fluid level. Ctsv guys say to fill until fluid trickles out when the transmission fluid is warm. I will stay away from the drag strips for a while as it is hard to replicate a 1-2 shift on the street without fear of incarceration... lol! If you have mechanical skill, this isn't that difficult of a procedure. A lift would make it easy. You have to use a small pump to get the fluid in where a dipstick should be placed. Damn GM, "sealed" tranny BS!!!

white ZL1 · 03-01-2014, 06:42 PM

Went through it with my SS. Made my own stands out of 2x10's to get the car up in the air to check. I'm interested in knowing what you find.

Stephen12ZL1 · 03-01-2014, 06:56 PM

Fluid is at the proper level now...hopefully the 1-2 clutch pack isn't history

jessrayo · 03-01-2014, 10:46 PM

Bummer you lost a great opportunity with good weather. Hope the added fluid "fixes" the problem.

Trackman · 03-01-2014, 11:34 PM

I'm a little scared about the health of my transmission. It was flaring a bit the last few times out last fall. I hope a little more oil fixes you up.

03-01-2014, 02:08 PM	#1
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,824	terrible day at track with perfect DA today I went to the track again and had some transmission issues on the 1-2 shift. I am going to change the fluid and see if it helps. The DA today was -800ft at noon so time to hit the track and try to beat my PB. Not today...the transmission flared terribly on the 1-2 shift and immediately plopped the tranny into 3rd and the rest of the run was uneventful. Tried again with similar if not worse results just to make sure the tranny was indeed glazing or slipping. I'm not sure if swapping fluid is going to help, but it is a simple thing to try. I decided to tuck my tail and leave before the car had to be towed home. On the ride home, the 1-2 is definitely not as positive at part throttle using the paddles. The other shift changes feel fine. Anyone have an additive they like...lol! The fluid level may be slightly low as I heard this can cause erratic behavior (hope & prayer). Putting the car on ramps now to cool off and going to get the approved Dexron 6 fluid our cars require. Mobil 1 universal synthetic is not rx for our cars. Mobil makes a specific dexron 6 fluid now. So, what did the car run even with the slippy 1-2 shift then bump to 3rd. 10.88@131.87 & 10.93@129.74. Both of my 1/8 mile mph were 101.5. Car was running great and the track prep was spectacular. __________________ '21 ZLE A10 Wild Cherry PDR 2:00.78 VIR Full 10.68@131.69 1.68 60' '17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold)

03-01-2014, 06:05 PM	#3
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,824	Everyone with an auto needs to double check their transmission fluid level which is no easy task. CTSv forums are full of tips & tricks and this low fluid is a known issue. My car has never leaked but I have swapped the radiator. I added a qt to make sure it wasn't low at that time. It was probably 2 full QTS low before the fluid change. 4ish came out and it required 6.3 to bring it to full which is what the owners manual states. Car must be elevated and level with the car idling to confirm the fluid level. Ctsv guys say to fill until fluid trickles out when the transmission fluid is warm. I will stay away from the drag strips for a while as it is hard to replicate a 1-2 shift on the street without fear of incarceration... lol! If you have mechanical skill, this isn't that difficult of a procedure. A lift would make it easy. You have to use a small pump to get the fluid in where a dipstick should be placed. Damn GM, "sealed" tranny BS!!! __________________ '21 ZLE A10 Wild Cherry PDR 2:00.78 VIR Full 10.68@131.69 1.68 60' '17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold)

03-01-2014, 06:56 PM	#5
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,824	Fluid is at the proper level now...hopefully the 1-2 clutch pack isn't history __________________ '21 ZLE A10 Wild Cherry PDR 2:00.78 VIR Full 10.68@131.69 1.68 60' '17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold)

03-01-2014, 10:46 PM	#6
jessrayo Speed Freak Drives: 2013 ZL1 Camaro, 2016 Camaro SS Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Ardmore, OK Posts: 2,637 View My Garage	Bummer you lost a great opportunity with good weather. Hope the added fluid "fixes" the problem. __________________ 2016 SS -AGP twin Borg Warner 7163 EFR's, LT4 mechanical pump, LT4 injectors, Walbro 255 low side, Castrol SRF. 734whp/759 tq 2013 ZL1 -ADM - 427 LSX 6 bolt, O-ringed block built by LME. Twin PT6466 turbos. RPM custom manual trans, RPS Quad carbon clutch, 9" Hendrix rear diff & axles. ADM/squash fuel system, Ron Davis radiator, Spal fans, AGP air to air, turbo plumbing. LPE oil cooler, rear bushing upgrade, roll bar...etc. rwhp 1400+... 212.5mph, best Texas mile to date.

03-01-2014, 04:52 PM	#2
white ZL1 Drives: none Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: DFW area Posts: 1,844	I hope it isn't hard parts in the trans. Fingers crossed. Not sure what else it could be though.

03-01-2014, 06:42 PM	#4
white ZL1 Drives: none Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: DFW area Posts: 1,844	Went through it with my SS. Made my own stands out of 2x10's to get the car up in the air to check. I'm interested in knowing what you find.

03-01-2014, 11:34 PM	#7
Trackman Drives: 67RS Camaro ,Black 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Alberta Posts: 1,409	I'm a little scared about the health of my transmission. It was flaring a bit the last few times out last fall. I hope a little more oil fixes you up.