Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Group Buy Group Buy Question for ATX Owners !!!

How many ATX Owners would be interested in a group buy for either or both...

A)-TransGo Shift Kit Jr. for CD4E
(Repairs Valve Body - Very Easy install)

or

B)-Transmission Fluid Cooler

I'm not talking about the CHEAP coolers either.
There are a few coolers that come with a Thermostatic Electric Cooling fan.

I've been doing some research on the CD4E and though it is the most Technically ADVANCED
ATX there is today, it is also Technically CHALLENGED.

It seems that along with our Oil Problems, when Mazda designed the CD4E,
they miscalculated the oil volume requirements of this transaxle,
and that is why it runs so hot.
If the case had been a little larger,
and the ATX held another two or three quarts of oil,
the Operating Temperature would be cooler.
Many people with the Mazda 626 have the same CD4E as we do, except Mazda calls it a LA4A-EL.
The Mazdas also have many of the same problems we have.

So who is interested ???

A trans cooler.....depending on the price.

YES to both!!

I'm planning on the DD turbo, so I'm going to need them.

What is exactly involved in installing the shift kit? Can it be done by the average weekend mechanic?

i have that trans go "shift kit" and it is just a repair kit, not a performance kit. i have not installed it. it is only about 25 bucks so why would you want a GB on it? it involves drilling about 12 holes in the valve body and replacing all the springs and such. i do not think it is for your average joe. but i could be wrong. it suggests that you put in some new stuff which i forget what exactly, but i remember asking bill jenkins about it and it was over 100 bucks. i bought this about 7 months ago.

I realize that this is not in relation to the actual QUESTION you asked, however:

What is this hot-running problem you speak of? I have heard of no such issues, and don't have a problem with mine. I change the fluid every 30k, so at 51k, I have changed it once already. The fluid is showing no signs of premature decay.

Additionally, mine has a transmission cooler built into the radiator.

I am not arguing with your statements at all. I would, however, like to read the same materials you did in your research so that I can learn more.

In what way is it the most technically advanced atx? In what way is it challenged?

I am just a college student- food is sometimes a luxury!

Mazda miscalculated the amount of oil it would need? That's surprising- it's like claiming that Ford forgot how much R-134a an air conditioner needs, and now they don't work. I don't understand this potential mishap.

When you say, "The Mazdas also have many of the same problems we have..." I take that to mean that we have MORE than one problem. What are these problems?

Please inform me, I am very curious.

if you'd like to simply email me, that's fine, I am:
randyrohe@aol.com

Thanks in advance,
Randy

got any non group buy prices on the cooler along with pics or specs?

Okay everyone...

I am just checking on the interest level right now...

I've got some preliminary info that I am going to look into,
and for those of you interested, I will get a collection of links,
so you can read up on what I have read.

One good site to start at is...
Trans Online

They have the most up to date info on ATX rebuilding, as well as their own forum.

The Mazda 626 has the same ATX as we do, and it is mated to 4cyl and 6 cyl engines.
The 4 cyl's don't see the overheating problmes as much as the 6 cyl's do,
but both cars usually see shifting problems when driving for extended periods,
when the ATX overheats.
The overheating is caused by the combination of a prematurely worn valve body,
and the reduced amount of oil in the ATX for sufficient cooling,
even if you service the ATX at the 30k mile interval.

Because the ATX carries LESS fluid than it should, it needs to be serviced more often.
I service my original ATX @ 30k, and it retired soon after that,
because of overheating problems that killed the TCC.
I now service the Reman ATX every 10k - 15k, and the behavior of the ATX has changed dramatically for the better.
I first serviced the Reman ATX @ 30k, just like my dealer recommended,
and I started experiencing problems, just like my original ATX.
After 10k, I serviced it again, and the problems diminished,
but heat was still a concern for me since the ATX ran at 240 deg F at times.
I serviced it again @ 10k, and since then the ATX hasn't gone over 210 deg F.
Normal operating Temp Range is 180 - 210 F.

You can see why I am still concerned about this,
and would like the see the temp closer to 180 or less if possible.

Enough for now, let me get working on those links for you guys...

Pete,

You seem to know a lot about the automatic transmission and the CD4E especially...but I wanted to correct one thing you said

the 626 uses the 4EAT transmission on the 2.5L not the CD4E which is used on the 2.0L (except 1993 where the 2.0L also used the 4EAT transmission)

definitely in for the valve body .... and maybe the cooler too price depending....i do feel that i've possibly found a good one locally for not too much

hmmm....now i guess i'll go back and read the post

Maybe interested in both depending on price and install procedures.