I was driving at 80 mph and floored it. I heard strange sounds like a belt went.
The "Check engine light" did not gon on. I went to the side of the road and could not go any faster than 40 mph at 3000 rpm. I obviously could not go into third gear.
History
My first transmission went at 8800 miles. I had my own transimission upgraded with a rebuild kit from Performance Automatic of New Jersey. Performance Automatic Rebuild Kit ("Super Streeter" version -600 hp max suggested- one grade less than their dragster which is their top of the line version). I bought (1) Valve body: p/n PA45301L ($280) (shifts more like a police interceptor than a dragster) (The original valve body was not visibly damaged but it still could have been. I did not want to have someone autopsy it at an additional cost to later find out that it should be replaced anyway.) (2) P/N 4PA45401 ($622), AODE overhaul kit, 8- Alto Red Eagle racing clutches, Kevlar band, Kolene steels (fit between the other 8 clutches), gasket and bushings.
General facts
1) My max. boost is 5 psig at highway speeds
2) I got 22000 miles out of this transmission. This is much better than the 8800 miles out of the factory original transmmission.
Performance Automatic Comment
Without the transmission being removed yet, Bill made a comment that "these transmissions can't take that much power in 3rd or 4th gear". I asked him if he has had any other MM with the same problem. He didn't recall. It is possible other Marauders have had the same problem but he doesn't know if a dealer may have called in for a "Super Streeter" version without mentioning the name MM. He said that it is likely the "stub shaft and cluthches" that went because 3rd gear failed. If it was just overdrive, than it would have been the "bands". My dealer will be removing the transmission to corroborate the condition that Performance Automatic has speculated about. Performance Automatic has a hardened steel stub shaft in stock as a solution.
He did mention that a MM from the Maryland area had a transmission upgrade and is a 12 second car. The car had a very tight rear end as evidenced by the tendency to have the rear wheels almost hop slightly. Who are you?
Driving habits
I have run the car at a drag strip only 10 times. 7 of those times was just a few days ago. I floor my gas pedal about twice a week on average.
How much more can go wrong with my car? I guess it goes with the territory. Imagine my potential problems if I go to 600 RWHP like Martyo?
Let's hear from the "Best and Brightest".
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2003 Dark Blue Pearl 300B (Canadian) w/Light Flint (reversed
traction control, mini spare, trunked 6 disc CD changer,
clock-in-the-radio, heated front seats/mirrors, hood light)
-Born 12/10/02; converted new then used 2/28/03
-26,000 miles
-18.5 mpg at a steady speed of 80 mph, one tank of gas
-Stock transmission upgraded with Performance Automatic
"Super Streeter" transmission version
-Wheel locks (Ford); godshead valve stem caps
-Badgeless front grille by “Zack”
-Zaino waxing; RainX; front Autobhanded
Kenny Brown: 6th “Signature Series” conversion (450 hp) Born
3/28/03 (first drove it)
-Vortech supercharger (5 to 7 psig boost)
-377 RWTQ
-Metco control arms
-4.10 gears
-14 in. BaerClaw front brakes, two piston, slotted rotors
-MMX Driveshaft
-Precision, triple disc, P/N469018-3 Precision, triple disc, P/N469018-3
-Ford Racing Stud and Girdle
-Pirelli P-Zero Asimmetrico (front 255/45ZR18 99Y; rear
255/50ZR18 102Y)
-Dead pedal
-FordChip
-3/4 of a coil from each front stock spring removed to produce
the “same” effect as an Eibach spring
-Ground clearance: 5 in.
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1961 Ford Galaxie, 2 dr. Club Victoria, 390CID, 375hp, 4 barrel (gone)