My friend has an 1995 z28 automatic. He thinks the transmission might be going out, what signs do you get when this happens?
Or could if maybe be the optispark?

 

i dont know much bout the optispark but if ur tranny is dieing signs would include sliping, burning, not shifting

 

is it auto or manual? What are the symptoms your friend is experiencing?

 

^ And yes, what are the symptoms, slipping, jerking, hesitation, sluggish shifting...?

 

Thanks for pointing out the fact that I'm BLIND! I think I'll go back to my cave now thank you very much.

Pull the dipstick and see what color the transmission fluid (red, brown, black, paisley, etc.) is and if it smells burnt. Also check and see if there's any little glitter spots in it (metal from wearing down of parts). That's a simple quick way to see if anything in general is failing.

 

He has an Automatic..its kinda hard to explain how it rides. When its cold it rides fine you can punch it and theres no problem. After awhile of driving around you have to hit the gas lightly to gain speed.
Once you accelerate the car seems like its jerking or spruttering. RPM's dont go down. Its happens in OD as well...

 

Theres no burning at all and it wont shift unless you ease up on the gas.

 

Is there a specific speed that it does it at once warm? It could be the torque converter trying to lockup but the clutch surface on the inside failing to grab.

 

Usually around 20 to 30 MPH it was start sputtering...Lets say it is the torque converter how much does that cost to fix (just an estimate)?

 

Well, when my torque converter started whining I went to a local guy just to make sure that's what it was. With me buying the torque converter and him installing it (and servicing the front pump and putting in new o-rings, seals, etc.) it was quoted around 400 bucks due to him probably having to remove the headers. I ended up doing it myself without having to remove the headers by tilting the motor back enough for the level transmission to slide back and over the ends of the collectors. If it had been 200 bucks I probably would have let him do it just for convenience. What sucks is now my brand new front seal is leaking... but I'm moving to a six speed anyway so this just pushed me more into the direction of getting it done sooner.