best engine, auto trans?

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: BrocLuno

I would say that any ECM controlled system will be susceptible to water damage, rust & crevice corrosion killing important signals, possible heat damage, aging capacitors, etc. Mechanically, it make be fine, but if you can't get it to run or shift, what's the point ...

Some ECMs/PCMs/other control modules are surprisingly robust. My 1994 Ranger has seen a lot of mud over its life, and a couple years ago the ECM showed signs of issues...random CELs, occasional poor running, stalling, etc. I couldn't pin it down to any one thing, so I pulled the computer out to look at it. Sure enough there was mud in the connector and a good bit of dirt inside. I decided I didn't really have anything to lose by cleaning it, so I did. I doused the board and connections with multiple cans of electronic cleaner, greased the gasket up with dielectric grease, put it back, and the truck has run great since.

 

[klt1986]

The 400 Pontiac and B-W Super T-10 4 speed in my 79 Trans Am took an awful lot abuse and did not have any issues for over 100k when I sold it. Old car saw a lot of drag races and burn outs but held up very well mechanically. Only problems I remember were the doors sagging, cracked dash pad, and the inside door handles pulling out of the door trim.

My 99 Tacoma with the 2.7L and 5 speed was also very reliable. Sold it to my brother in law at 135k and he has put another 100k on it. Other than fluids, belts, hoses, shocks/struts, etc. the only thing that has needed replacing were the contacts in the starter and I knocked the dome light assembly out one time. Truck is still on the original factory exhaust system.


Edited to add: Just read the full title and failed to see the auto transmission part. My apologies.

 

[SilverFusion2010]

Originally Posted By: MinamiKotaro
Originally Posted By: SilverFusion2010
I'm in love with ford ecoboost engines. High power density, overbuilt to last, gobs of torque and good mpg if you decide to keep your foot out of it.


The transmission programming on my rental was abominable. I just left it in tow/haul mode, otherwise it extreme short-shifted on acceleration, leading to lugging, then refused to downshift, leading to more lugging. (Just like my 91 Escort, now that I think of it ... I always shifted that sucker manually.)


Interesting. I drove my brothers 2016 fusion for a bit the other day and it was nice and smooth.

What vehicle was it?

 

[02SE]

Originally Posted By: BrianF
I like my 6.7 Cummins coupled with the AS69RC. Relatively smooth, got some power and pretty solid.


+1

Most of my other vehicles have manual transmissions.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: MinamiKotaro
Ford 4.9/C6. Immortal. Indestructible.


Yeah, that combo is a turd performance-wise (I had it in an F-250) but you couldn't kill it.

Another really good one is the 5.4L 2V backed by the 4R100. If you could deal with the potential for ejecting plugs, these combo will outlive the vehicle it is fitted to easily. The 4.6L backed by the 4R75W is another mention, but that auto is not as durable or long-lived as the 4R100.

The 5R110 is another bomb-proof transmission, but not sure that Ford put an engine that was as equally long lasting in front of it, LOL!

 

[Duffyjr]

Originally Posted By: Ram02
My old Pontiac Grand Prix GTP 3800S/C and 4T65HD hydramatic tranny


+1

In fact I'm looking to replace my 99 Buick and would really like to find another Buick with a series lll 3800 but it's proving hard to find in my price range. I've had two 3800's and they have been very reliable.

 

[willistheguy]

It gets tricky when you are talking about bullet proof engine AND automatic transmission combos. Especially in the used car market when it's too late to save the automatic transmissions that have never had their fluid changed (all Taurus's are out for example). I'm usually pretty American-made biased but this is what I've seen: (all auto's and older/used)

Real tough:
Pre-98 Buick's NA or Supercharged with 3800
Jeep Cherokee 4.0L
Ford Police Interceptor/Crown Victoria/Mercury Marquis/Town Car
Pre-98 Ford Ranger with 2.3L
Pre-97 Ford F150 (all engines, but especially the 4.9L 300ci)
Pontiac Vibe's (Toyota Matrix)
Subaru's (as long as the timing belt has been done)

Things to actively avoid:
Grand Am's
Ford Focus SOHC SPI 2.0L
Ford Focus/Escort/Taurus with auto's
Ford Explorer's
Dodge Intrepid/Stratus/Journey/Caliber

There are obviously other's but these are cars I see people send to me because they are "surprisingly cheap!"...there's a reason

 

[Smokescreen]

Originally Posted By: Kibitoshin
6.0L LS - 4/6L80E.


That is why I got it, along with the others in my stable...all excellent with proven track records.

 

[MinamiKotaro]

Originally Posted By: SilverFusion2010
Originally Posted By: MinamiKotaro
Originally Posted By: SilverFusion2010
I'm in love with ford ecoboost engines. High power density, overbuilt to last, gobs of torque and good mpg if you decide to keep your foot out of it.


The transmission programming on my rental was abominable. I just left it in tow/haul mode, otherwise it extreme short-shifted on acceleration, leading to lugging, then refused to downshift, leading to more lugging. (Just like my 91 Escort, now that I think of it ... I always shifted that sucker manually.)


Interesting. I drove my brothers 2016 fusion for a bit the other day and it was nice and smooth.

What vehicle was it?


Expedition. 3.5 ecoboost/6 speed auto

 

[SilverFusion2010]

Bummer. That's what happens when they are reaching for fuel economy. It sounds like it would have benefited from an ecu reset and some flogging to reset the "adaptive" shifting parameters.

I hear very good things about the new 10 speed autos going into the f150s

 

[Duffyjr]

Originally Posted By: willistheguy

Real tough:
Pre-98 Buick's NA or Supercharged with 3800


I have to ask since I own a 99 Buick, what changed in 99 that it didn't make the cut? Did they change the tranny? Just curious.

 

[ls1mike]

Originally Posted By: Duffyjr
Originally Posted By: willistheguy

Real tough:
Pre-98 Buick's NA or Supercharged with 3800


I have to ask since I own a 99 Buick, what changed in 99 that it didn't make the cut? Did they change the tranny? Just curious.


Not much really they went to DEX-COOL in 1996. The series II was introduced around 1995. So you got the L36 N/A or L67 Supercharged.
After that was the Series III the L26 was N/A and the L32 Was supercharged.
The L32 came in the Grand Prix GTP and GT.
The Impala, Monte Carlo and Regal with the Supercharged 3800 never got the L32(Series III). They all had the L67(Series II).

 

[willistheguy]

Originally Posted By: ls1mike
Originally Posted By: Duffyjr
Originally Posted By: willistheguy

Real tough:
Pre-98 Buick's NA or Supercharged with 3800


I have to ask since I own a 99 Buick, what changed in 99 that it didn't make the cut? Did they change the tranny? Just curious.


Not much really they went to DEX-COOL in 1996.


I was wondering if someone was going to ask. But yes ls1mike stated it, that's around where the dex-cool issues started to become a problem. Personally I would purchase one of these vehicles, but I don't typically recommend them just because it can get really nasty depending on how it fails. Once the gaskets have been replaced (lower intake primarily) they can be really strong engines. And just to clarify, the issue was taken care of around 2004 (someone probably knows more specifically).

 

[Duffyjr]

Originally Posted By: willistheguy
Originally Posted By: ls1mike
Originally Posted By: Duffyjr
Originally Posted By: willistheguy

Real tough:
Pre-98 Buick's NA or Supercharged with 3800


I have to ask since I own a 99 Buick, what changed in 99 that it didn't make the cut? Did they change the tranny? Just curious.


Not much really they went to DEX-COOL in 1996.


I was wondering if someone was going to ask. But yes ls1mike stated it, that's around where the dex-cool issues started to become a problem. Personally I would purchase one of these vehicles, but I don't typically recommend them just because it can get really nasty depending on how it fails. Once the gaskets have been replaced (lower intake primarily) they can be really strong engines. And just to clarify, the issue was taken care of around 2004 (someone probably knows more specifically).


Thanks guys. Been thru the manifold leak issue on both my 91 park ave and my 99 lesabre. First one I paid for but the second one I caught before I bought it and mentioned it to the owner of the car lot (old high school class mate) after a test drive to my mech, so he fixed it for me at no cost.

 

[lexus114]

283/ power glide

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: lexus114
283/ power glide

That's an exceedingly slow combo! My buddy's former FIL had that combo in an Impala and it would barely get out of its own way

 

[lexus114]

Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: lexus114
283/ power glide

That's an exceedingly slow combo! My buddy's former FIL had that combo in an Impala and it would barely get out of its own way

i didn't say it was fast. just bullet proof

 

[OVERKILL]

LOL! Fair enough

 

[HouseTiger]

1974 Super Beetle 1.6 Litre, 4 speed manual . . . sold it a few years ago. Odometer went kaput around 1999 after two times around, and drove it another 15 years after that. Oil changes every 1500 miles, plug check every 6K, valve adjustment every 3d oil change, tires, brakes, alternator/fan belts, repack CV joints on rear drive axles and change the transmission oil every 5 yrs, oil and replaced the clutch about every 5-7 years or so - there's a LOT of stop/go driving in Atlanta to eat clutches. Went through six sets of shocks in the rear and five sets of struts in the front.

Only time and reason the engine ever came out was to replace the clutch

 

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted By: Duffyjr
Originally Posted By: willistheguy

Real tough:
Pre-98 Buick's NA or Supercharged with 3800


I have to ask since I own a 99 Buick, what changed in 99 that it didn't make the cut? Did they change the tranny? Just curious.


GM made changes to the transmission, Before '98 the 4T60E used a Vacuum Modulator to control Line Pressure, In '98 the Modulator was eliminated & replaced with a Electronic Pressure Control Solenoid making it a code throwing, hard shifting, spline stripping POS. Which is strange as the 4L60E, 4L80E, & 4T80E had PCS control for years before that & are very reliable.