screwdriver

Ignoring the slight pun with the title I have a big problem with my automatic transmission. In a nutshell it is all revs and no go.

The car is a Legacy GT Twin Turbo and I have just had a de-cat centre and back box fitted (Hayward and Scott). It felt no different despite it replacing a very restrictive bodge from the previous owner. Worse actually since now it just won't pull. I can play tunes on the throttle without any real acceleration - until the revs hit 5k and then, at last, it takes off.

I "think" I can just about detect more willingness to rev and a teensy bit more power at the top end but it is not the quantum leap I had been expecting. Best guess was 30 to 35 horses (due to the overly restrictive former box).

Worse still, the lovely torquey shove at 80 mph has disappeared. Previously this was the best feature of the car. Gone into a chasm of tourque free revs until I get past the turbo switchover (vod) which itself is just as bad - if not worse. Now it won't do anything until I am really thrashing it on turbo two. In traffic it is dog slow to respond to small or even medium throttle and now I have to kick down to accelerate. The revs go up but low end torque has gone.

Aaarrgh! I had the fluid replaced when I bought it so it is not that, unless I need something extra gloopy to put in there or the garage made a mistake. HEEEELP! Please.

I have not reset the ECU yet, so am hoping this might be the issue but it feels like a slipping auto box - if there is such a thing.

Any suggestions? This is driving me nuts!!!

Screwd.

drb5

iTrader: (4)

maybe the first turbo is knackered?

not sure m8, just pointing out the first thing that pops into my head. sorry

screwdriver

I like the idea about the turbo being confused. I guess a twin turbo setup is quite a complex job. Might this point to setup ECU?

screwdriver

The guy who disconnected the centre pipe told me it had a temperature sensor on it, now disconnected, which only warns of an overheating cat. This couldn't be an O2 sensor could it?

screwdriver

Anyone reading this have any ideas?

ChrisC

I think this could be expensive. I had a Eunos Presso (Mazda MX3) with an automatic box and when this started to happen I went to an automatic gearbox specialist.
Well £1500 later it was sorted . . . . . .
The problem lay in the fact that the box had overheated and damaged the torque converter which in turn placed a lot of strain on the box so that it had to be rebuilt.
My advice is go to to an independent autobox specialist (I don't think Leigh near Wigan is quite local for you) and ask them to look at at it.
While they look (1) go and pray (2) prepare to borrow money !
If I'm wrong then I'm delighted.

pugoetru

It sounds like the box but what some people don't realise is that if the engine is not producing enough torque the car will drive crap hope its the engine for your sake check pipes etc autos are very fussy

screwdriver

Thanks guys. I am still hoping it is ECU related or perhaps some failing and/or missing sensor. Apparently I need to check my CEL codes which I will do tomorrow and post anything I can find.

Cheers

Screwd.

dij

The exhaust set up is quite complex compared to a single turbo,so I would be looking at something related to the de cat you have fitted.
The second turbo has a valve on the down pipe controlled by a big actuator,this may be stuck open.
If this is the case then there wont be enough pressure to get the first turbo going.

If the problem seems to feel more like a clutch slipping then its more likely to be a gear box problem.I have a s/h auto g/box and rear diff if you find you need one.

screwdriver

Perfectly correct I discover. ECU remap is on the cards in a week or so. Will post updates as and when on a new thread.

Transmission is fine, it is the lack of torque I am feeling. For info I took the car to Mister Transmission in SE London. They were recommended to me and now I can recommend them to you: 020 8691 6494

This thread is dead. Thanks one and all.

Screwd.