19bonestock88's 2004 Saturn "Ion Green Line" build... - Page 29 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

mpg_numbers_guy · 10-08-2019, 02:04 PM

Time for a taller geared XFE transmission!

19bonestock88 · 10-08-2019, 07:53 PM

FY1 code trans is $175 with 108K on it... my guy claims he can have it in, in a day... given that I am trying to get a newer car it may wait a few weeks but if I get denied again I’m just gonna fix this car and have it done with. With $1000 to play with I should be able to fix it

19bonestock88 · 10-10-2019, 01:52 PM

So instead of buying a newer car I’m just fixing this one. Some verification proves the FY1 (3.63 final) will definitely bolt in place of my M86(3.84 final), and everything is a go! Just waiting for my mechanic to receive the trans and we should be all set!

mpg_numbers_guy · 10-10-2019, 02:01 PM

The 3.63 is the XFE trans, right? Are you swapping the whole gearset or just the FD? What are the gear ratios of both?

19bonestock88 · 10-10-2019, 02:25 PM

My entire trans is wasted... swapping an entire XFE trans to be sure. The M86 and FY1 transmissions both share the same gear ratios except the final drive

roosterk0031 · 10-10-2019, 03:03 PM

All 09-10 5 speeds have the same 3.63 gears, XFE or higher trim levels with 2.2 engine IIRC. 273,000 on mine. I probably should change the oil or something in it. Older Saturn I had used 5w-30 I've never even checked it or know what this car uses.

19bonestock88 · 10-11-2019, 12:09 AM

Did your trans ever develop a third gear grind? My trans has been plagued with one for quite some time... maybe GM fixed the issue by 2009?

roosterk0031 · 10-11-2019, 10:20 AM

I've never had any issues with the tranny/clutch, I've missed shifted maybe a handful of time and ground something a little but that's it. I've had the car since 26,000 miles. On my 2nd set of brake pads. shoes replaced once.

Replaced a bunch of fuel/ignition parts over last 12 months only to finally figure out it was a $20 evap valve. Maf pigtail and vvt actuator only other engine parts ever needed I think. Front wheel bearingS of course. Few suspension parts to try to eliminate a knock on bumps but must be strut and but I've never replace struts on any of my cars.

19bonestock88 · 10-11-2019, 09:03 PM

My trans developed a third gear grind at approx 120-130K, but hung on until 177K. It was brought up at the Dragon that I had a mild axle seal leak, maybe the trans went dry? Maybe GM updated the shift fork design on the later F23s, it was said that the end of the shift fork was partly to blame for people losing third gear in the earlier cars. At any rate mine is trashed and the used one will have only 108K on it, though in the interest of being cheap I’m using my clutch over again unless it’s discovered to be on the very brink of failure. Trans is getting new fluid and axle seals though, it should be good for the remaining life of my engine (due to extended idling over the summer it now smokes lightly at high RPM/load). I’m excited to have the FY1 trans though, it should massively help mileage