So yesterday I was driving in the middle of an empty road, accelerating. Then suddenly I heard a loud metal snap from right under me, then horrible grinding and screaching. I immediatly pulled over, and as I put it in park, it made one more snap, and a little bit of more screaching - like the last scream of a person on a deathbed. The transmission is done with. Now when I put it into Drive and rev up the engine, nothing gets transferred to the wheels. Same applies to revers and any other gear. It looks like I will need to replace my transmission. I've found a used one for just $250 (got a hell of a lot of miles on it though), so now I need to find out about the installation. How is that done? Does the whole engine need to be taken out? How much would this cost at an average shop?

Oh and its a 4L60E transmission. Its a '98 V6 A4.

 

That's something that can be done if a few hours in your own garage. If you've ever done a trans swap then this should be no big deal for you. Just make sure you have a buddy some good tunes and some beer. Oh and while your there change out the tranny mounts. Don't go with stock either. Get some good ones like Energy Suspension. They'll last forever and you can't break those like the stockers. Have fun and good luck.

 

No, I've never done a trans swap. The most mechanic work I've ever done was changing the spark plugs last week, which took me and my friend 6 hours. Can somebody write up the process step by step? Or does anybody knowa good guide to follow for this?

 

Are you someone who can figure things out easily and follow well when it comes to being "mechanically inclined"?

 

6 Hours on a V6 for spark plugs is quite a bit. I hope you were doing a lot of standing, looking, talking about working, and drinking beer inbetween. A transmission swap is not quite rocket science, youjust have to be motivated and ready to work. Following instructions for a swap can be done, but I wouldn't recommend it. You have to have a little know-how about cars to do something like that. Otherwise if you have a friend or relative who is good with cars, get them to help you out.

 

oh my god 6 hours to do plugs on a car u gotta be a doofus if you cant do it in 10min DONT DO THE TRANNY IT WILL NEVER RUN AGAIN

 

Have you ever replaced the plugs on the 3800? Especially if the previous owner never took them out, so they got stuck in there. Those things are damn hard to reach because of the stock headers getting in the way. The main problem was reaching them and getting the wrench on them with enough leverage. Maybe its different on LT1's: it were really the two middle plugs that we wasted 4 hours on, because they were right behind the headers.

Anyway, I will most likely get somebody to rebuilt the tranny for me. Sounds better than swapping it for anotherone that has the same milage on it and comes out about the same in price.

 

That dude is some sort of super freak if he can change plugs in an LT1, in car, within 10 minutes...From looking at the 3800, the plugs aren't easy to get to, so don't feel bad, but they aren't as bad as the LT1. Anyway, good luck on the trans work, just take your time and make sure you have everything right. Invest in a Haynes manual to give you a little instruction too, they come in handy.

 

Yea the spark plugs in the 3800 LT1 and LS1 isa pain to change....there all just about the same....you gota basically get under the car to change out spark plugs....[:@]

 

hell no i never would buy a 6 banger theres no power so i dont have to worry about doin them but an lt1 plugs are harder to do