Transmission Blow'd Up on Track

Would like to see what failed inside you trans though.

I wonder how heat is affecting our transmissions on track. Hence my question to oil testing. I am wondering if we need to start looking at oil cooling for our transmission when on track.

How often do you change the transfluid based on event usage?

2400 is not a bad price at all. If clarke is also having a 2400 core charge, hopefully they are using new oem transmissions

Okay, after analyzing my options to death, here is what I come up with. To be clear, I will pull and install the trans, but I don't have the expertise to crack it open for repair. I also want that 4.3 final drive while it's open.

Option #1: Buy a used 60k mile transmission for $1200ish (including shipping), pay for the LSD swap and install of the 4.3 final drive. All said and done, I'd have about $2500 into it. This unit might last forever or might not, as condition will be somewhat "unknown."

Option #2: Clarke. Their unit would be $3200 + shipping + $2400 core + return of core +optional $1k WDC treatment. I assume the 4.3 install would cost extra labor, even during regular assembly (plus parts). In theory, I could sell my Wavetrac LSD ($600ish). While this might be the "best" option, there are questions about how much better for a track exclusive car. The polishing and deburring undoubtedly reduces heat and friction, but the longevity benefits are not measurable. The WDC treatment appears to be the same, promising less friction and heat, and with some vague references to increasing strength. The inclusion of the carbon fiber syncros is nice, but also not necessarily something that has measurable longevity improvements on track. Lastly, it appears they repurpose used internals, albeit after careful inspection and the polishing; I get it's debatable on whether that matters. But, almost certainly the enormous $2400 core charge would indicate they need 100% working internals to be reused . . . and I almost certainly won't get all of that back since my transmission went boom. All in all, I'm sure going this way would result in the "best" transmission, but I'd probably be into it for at least $5500 plus whatever part of my core they don't return. How much better is where I'm sure opinions abound.

Option #3: I can get a brand new transmission from Ford for $2400 and no shipping (local dealer). The core is only $600, and almost certainly NOT dependent on my trans being in working order, so I would expect it back. The 4.3 parts will be $600 (I have an OEM turbo credit coming from Whoosh), and my local speed shop will do the LSD swap and 4.3 upgrade for $600. All in all, I'd be into this option for about $3600. Would be a new transmission with new internals, albeit not polished and/or treated.

Option #4: Let someone crack open mine and only fix what's broken. Obviously, total cost to do this depends on the extent of the broken parts, and there may or may not be a backorder on whatever broke. What's not broken is reused. Note, my car has 113k miles on it. My guess is that I'd be into this option for $2500-$3000 by the time I buy parts, pay for labor, get the 4.3, etc. And, most of the parts would be 10 years old and have 113k miles on them.

I think Option #3 is the winner. @kevinatfms

It's a core charge, and they certainly will inspect it.

No matter what I don't think option 4 makes any sense on its own. Maybe do option 4 in addition to the other options so you have a spare transmission down the road. Option 2 in my opinion is definitely the safest sure thing. Seems like like 50%+ costs are not worth the peace of mind in this circumstance.

I'm new here and to Turbo 3 and 4 cyl. motors. Ask Mr. Clarke what internal guts makes their transmission so much superior to the FORD OEM with a LSD. Is it the Metallurgy they use in the gears? is it the clutch material? the # of splines on the output shaft? Helical cut gears? Magnesium for lighter weight and stronger gears? COOLING?

Since you are running a track car HARD EVERY DAY that you are on the track, I don't think u are what FORD Engineers had in mind with the BEAN COUNTERS controlling cost on an Entry Level Street/Sport Tuned car.

Please let us know what Colby Clarke has to say. We are all living vicariously through ur track adventures.

I think you might have missed the bigger point, as it relates to expected costs and materials used for their units. But, not worth arguing over -- I have ordered a new unit from Ford, which hopefully arrives within a week.