Metric T-200 issue
 

Metric T-200, reverse valve body. Trans shifts fine 1-2 but 2-3 shift does not shift solid and rpm flares momentarily....once it shifts, 3rd gear is ok

At the moment I don't have a playback tach configured to visibly confirm this and am going by what I hear.

I just raced this car for the first time and it's one I owned back in 2005-2007 and have driven a couple times back in 2011. Never recall having an issue like this.

Don't know who built the trans in the car and does not have E-shift.....

I have to re-check the fluid level but thought it was ok.....

Since it's a reverse shift pattern, it can't be a a shifter cable adjustment issue in my thinking

Any ideas from T-200 users ?

Re: Metric T-200 issue
 

Had this issue with my first 200 changed builders much reduced
Trans builders will know more was told this is something that is inherent.
Would think fluid pressure others will know more.

Re: Metric T-200 issue
 

Had an issue like this with a TH350. Seems it was dropping RPM at shift and getting back on converter. Took me several weeks to figure it out.

Re: Metric T-200 issue
 

I had a similar issue, only with the 1-2 shift. Ended up being the wrong dipstick tube. I only thought it was full.


Tom Flowers
E/SA. 3860

Re: Metric T-200 issue
 

Do you have a trans cooler? or a loop

Re: Metric T-200 issue
 

Rich, Who's valve body is it?

I'll PM you my number in case you don't have it.

Re: Metric T-200 issue
 

Mark you told what to do on my 200 because being a heavy car. That was making full pressure in drive.

Re: Metric T-200 issue
 

I’ve talked to the previous owner about the issue.
He says it’s always done it and I do know who does transmissions for him but don’t know what valve body he uses.
I spoke with 2 other metric users and their experiences with this issue and more importantly the builders that do them and their units do NOT do it.
There is no trans cooler
I will check the fluid later today and see what it looks like
I pretty much am stuck with what I have for now and will make some calls about future possibilities.

Re: Metric T-200 issue
 

Good morning Rich and to all,
I have a McClay unit in my car currently and it does not shift like that. You being in North Jersey you might want to reach out to Sepanick Transmissions or Leon M. ( sorry for miss spelling ) and they should be able to get you fixed up. You might also want to speak with Mark Yac.as he is a wealth of information on these units. Not having a ton of personal experience with these units myself - it could be a fluid level issue, maybe pan not baffeled. Maybe be valve body or clutch clearance issue, the Servo piston and band , even the direct clutch. If you haven't dropped the pan already, you might want to look inside and see if there is clutch material in the pan. I'm guessing to look over the basic's and go from there.

Respectfully,
Henry Kunz 1534 H/SA

Re: Metric T-200 issue
 

Those I’ve talked to with Sepanek built units say theirs do not do it

I will do some checks on it starting later today.

It does have a cast aluminum pan on it and it’s always possible the fluid level is not right.

The biggest problem with running one of these transmissions is knowledgeable builders are few and far between and the waiting time to get one I’ve been told can be considerable.

Re: Metric T-200 issue
 

Richie, add 1/2 qt. of fluid!

Re: Metric T-200 issue
 

The lag is somewhat inherent in some valve bodies but many times its due to improper fluid level .
Here's the link to the Turbo Action tech tip on proper dip stick measurement.



https://www.turboaction.com/TH200Full_Mark1-04.pdf

Re: Metric T-200 issue
 

I’ve been working on the car all day
Ran it for a few minutes and checked the level and it was low
It has a custom locking dipstick and someone marked it on one side for correct level
Without pulling the pan I can’t confirm that dipstick is correct
I’ll recheck it hot at the track next week.

Car needs some TLC and we’re getting reacquainted.

Re: Metric T-200 issue
 

No cooler and No loop.....plugged at the trans.....Don't know if that could be an issue....

Re: Metric T-200 issue
 

Rich,
I don't know about a 200 but in a PG if you just plug the cooler lines off with out modifying the pump it causes a restriction in fluid flow out of the converter. Converter will function different with the restricted flow. Just Put a loop on it and see if it helps the issue.

Re: Metric T-200 issue
 

Good morning Rich and to all,
Rich I think you might want to contact the transmission's builder. None of us know who's front pump is in there, and what's been done internally. My McClay 200 is plugged. I believe Leon plugs his cooler inlet and outlet as well. If I remember correctly the Remac front pumps are made to have the cooler lines plugged. But there are other builders out there and some have a different way of getting the same things done. This is where you might want to get in touch with the original builder. If you haven't reached out to Mark Yac. now might be a good time. I'm not personally well versed on all the internal workings of those units to let you know exactly "what " to be looking for.
Have a good day.

Respectfully,
Henry Kunz 1534 H/SA

P.S. Rich have you put a pressure gauge on the trans and run it in gear, even on jack stands ?

Re: Metric T-200 issue
 

Adding fluid did not help
2-3 flare is really excessive and is clearly visible on both the recall tach and datalog from the ECU
I will do more investigation this week to verify the fluid level and the shifter, cable and detent adjustments but I think this trans needs to be gone thru by someone that does them and knows what their doing
Like I said earlier, the men doing them are few and far between....

Re: Metric T-200 issue
 

Rich, I run a metric 200 built by Thomas Arnett. It has the deep cast aluminum pan and takes 8 quarts to fill with the correct dip stick and tube. Cooler lines are plugged also.


Tom Flowers
E/SA 3860

Re: Metric T-200 issue
 

I had a similar issue several years ago with my Sepanic Metric 200. It was suggested that I shift it into 3rd gear and pull the shifter linkage pin out of the lever on the transmission. When I did I couldn't get the pin back into the lever. I had adjusted the shifter linkage with the transmission in park,,not in 3rd gear. Linkage adjustment is more critical for 1st 2nd and 3rd gear,,especially in 3rd. Never had slippage again going into 3rd.
Glad to see you back!!

Re: Metric T-200 issue
 

Tim, that check is going to happen this week.
I did have the shifter all apart 3 times to change the gate plate and I’m using an air shifter just for bracket racing on an 1/8 mile
That’s just temporary as I know it’s not legal for Stock
I adjusted the cable up top but didn’t do the check at the trans.
I’m going to drop the pan as well as do that check.

At some point I’ll show up and run Stock again.
Maybe the Dutch, thanks

Re: Metric T-200 issue
 

The shifter lever was loose on the trans from wear and a washer that did not fit. I fixed it, it’s tight now
The shifter cable is not in good shape

I bought a spare cable when I owned the car and still have it
It’s going in now

All this stuff is close to 20 years old now so it’s no surprise

It is a zillion times more difficult to work on this car than a dragster that’s for sure.
But I already knew that ! Lol
I need a lift but that’s not happenin !

Re: Metric T-200 issue
 

Rich, you don't need a lift, you only need a buddy with a lift. LOL

Re: Metric T-200 issue
 

It took over a month to get back out to see if anything I did made any difference and the answer is a big NO

New shifter cable, tight shift lever, proper adjustment, good fluid level all added up to no real improvement on the 2-3 shift that flares the rpm a lot

Time for some changes and pull that trans and I?m not sure what direction I?m going with.

Whatever I do will take some time to get done

Re: Metric T-200 issue
 

As you stated a month ago

Re: Metric T-200 issue
 

Yes I did and I also said T-200 trans builders are few and far between
That?s the main problem, you aren?t going to be able to get one done in any short time going by what users tell me.

I was hoping for a better outcome but knew i was probably treading water

The way I?ve been driving along with how erratic the car is, a better trans isn?t gonna turn on any lamps

Gotta lot to do before that could happen

Re: Metric T-200 issue
 

Allways with the negative waves...

https://youtu.be/Bm6yYvKbPt4

Re: Metric T-200 issue
 

Nothing negative about my comment. Rich knows his way around a race car and all things mechanical, he knew where this was going with that trans.

Rich, maybe it was built by STR. :rolleyes:

Re: Metric T-200 issue
 

Ed when I owned the car back in 2006-2007 the trans in the car was done by Steve and it worked well !

He also did a trans in one of my dragsters that one also worked very well.

He's not doing to well these days......Age and illness catches up to a lot of people....myself included.

Re: Metric T-200 issue
 

Rich, have you reached out to Thomas Arnett? He would probably work you in if you could get it to him. I know Kentucky ain't a short ride. Thomas is a great guy.

Re: Metric T-200 issue
 

Rich, I’m aware of Steve’s medical issues. That said, Steve is a nice guy and I always said a great resource for beginner racers. Unfortunately, I learned that Steve can’t build a reliable 3 speed, at least not a turbo 400 and one of the many issues with my STR built 400 was flaring at the shifts. In 2005 I moved on to arguably the best 3 speed builder and never looked back. Since 2019 I run a glide.

Re: Metric T-200 issue
 

No Alan I have not and don't know him
In my area Jack Sepanek is the man when it comes to T-200's
I know getting him to do mine or build another one would take some time
Leon Miranian does them and he probably did the trans I have but likely a number of years ago
I spoke to someone yesterday about how long it took to get a McClay trans since that friend has one....it was months.
I am weighing my options with this car and what direction I'm going to go with it.

Re: Metric T-200 issue
 

Trans is out laying on the floor and I will get it to the preferred builder in my area when that is possible
I doubt I would get it back anytime soon but that's not a big problem
This car needs improving and that will take time....and $$$ of course...
Unless I borrow a trans or buy another one, racing is on hold....