I'm posting in the general forum since I have an S650, but it should apply the same to the S550. My question is concerning the fluid and filter change interval and procedure for the 10R80 with track use. Per the manual, fluid changes should be done at 150,000 miles or regular driving. My manual specifies engine oil filter changes every four hours of track use and every 500 miles for the rear axle fluid, but says nothing about the transmission.

I'm thinking changing annually (around 15 track days per year) may be reasonable, but I thought I'd ask if anyone has insight on this. Also, the service manual has the procedures for both a fluid change consisting of removing the pan and filter, then refilling as well as a fluid flush using special equipment. Obviously a fluid flush would require taking to a shop with the correct device, but is a flush to exchange all fluid necessary, or if a change of the 5 or so quarts in the pan sufficient if it is done annually with track use?

You should seriously be thinking about extra coolers for the trans. They run exponentially hot on track and the stock cooling isn't good enough. At least 1 auxillary cooler, and maybe 2, depending on how hard you push.
Look for posts by @flyhalf, he has mastered the A10 on track.

JDee said:

You should seriously be thinking about extra coolers for the trans. They run exponentially hot on track and the stock cooling isn't good enough. At least 1 auxillary cooler, and maybe 2, depending on how hard you push.
Look for posts by @flyhalf, he has mastered the A10 on track.

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Thanks for the feedback. I’ve gone back and read some threads about the 10r80 cooling. So far I haven’t had the transmission get over 221, and that was when ambient temps were in the mid 90s and my axle overheated, so I had to stop. I’ve fixed the axle overheating issue, but haven’t had any trouble so far with any other temps. I am going to Road Atlanta next month, which will likely be a good test of temperatures given the track speeds and it being mid July.

I have been playing on pavement for 44 years, but more importantly I worked in the automotive field for over 30 years and during a major portion of the time the Dealerships I worked at had a performance division. Folks who track or autocross their cars seem pretty good at realizing they need to change their oil quite frequently, but it seems transmission fluid and rear end fluid is a completely different story. Tracking 15 days a year the criteria I would suggest you use is based on that amount of track time and not the mileage per year recommendations. If it was my car I would probably change around 6-8 track days and with the rear end fluid at least that often. I would change my rear end fluid on my Viper or my Boss 302S in years past every two to three weekends, depending on the track. It was amazing how often we used to get cars in at Woodhouse Ford or Woodhouse C,D,J,R and the rear end fluid was like molasses and the smell would drift throughout the building. Transmission fluid gets hotter at some courses so I would change often if the track caused that issue. Fluid is relatively inexpensive compared to components and years ago when racing in Spec Miata folks were going through rear ends like water and my son and I were still running fine, with no issues. Asking folks when they had changed their fluid the answer was often once a year because the car has no torque. The issue was the g forces and side load from sticky rubber was causing the issue and we had been changing the fluid after every two race weekends. Both cars went for over 5 years without an issue and in fact only the one I drove ever was replaced for a problem. My son's was replaced when we went to a different Class and we popped in a Quaife.

PS - and of course change your brake fluid super often!

Bill Pemberton said:

I have been playing on pavement for 44 years, but more importantly I worked in the automotive field for over 30 years and during a major portion of the time the Dealerships I worked at had a performance division. Folks who track or autocross their cars seem pretty good at realizing they need to change their oil quite frequently, but it seems transmission fluid and rear end fluid is a completely different story. Tracking 15 days a year the criteria I would suggest you use is based on that amount of track time and not the mileage per year recommendations. If it was my car I would probably change around 6-8 track days and with the rear end fluid at least that often. I would change my rear end fluid on my Viper or my Boss 302S in years past every two to three weekends, depending on the track. It was amazing how often we used to get cars in at Woodhouse Ford or Woodhouse C,D,J,R and the rear end fluid was like molasses and the smell would drift throughout the building. Transmission fluid gets hotter at some courses so I would change often if the track caused that issue. Fluid is relatively inexpensive compared to components and years ago when racing in Spec Miata folks were going through rear ends like water and my son and I were still running fine, with no issues. Asking folks when they had changed their fluid the answer was often once a year because the car has no torque. The issue was the g forces and side load from sticky rubber was causing the issue and we had been changing the fluid after every two race weekends. Both cars went for over 5 years without an issue and in fact only the one I drove ever was replaced for a problem. My son's was replaced when we went to a different Class and we popped in a Quaife.

PS - and of course change your brake fluid super often!

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Thank you for the feedback. Initially I was only planning to do 10 track days (5 weekends) this year, but that has now expanded to 16 and possibly more. I agree that the maintenance is cheap compared to repairs. Do you have any thoughts on a transmission fluid/filter change versus flush, since the repair manual has procedures for both?

Brake fluid. Flush before season and do a “Heavy Bleed” after Every event. I was surprised how brake fluid in the caliper would turn a caramel color in just one weekend. Use a bleeder bottle where you can see the color of the fluid as in comes out. Once clear, you should be good.

TMSBOSS said:

Brake fluid. Flush before season and do a “Heavy Bleed” after Every event. I was surprised how brake fluid in the caliper would turn a caramel color in just one weekend. Use a bleeder bottle where you can see the color of the fluid as in comes out. Once clear, you should be good.

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Thank you for the advice! I’m running Castro SRF, which I changed at the start of the season, and I bleed between each event.

I did not change the filter with the transmission flushes near as often as just a drain and refill .

What did you decide about changing the transmission fluid, if anything?

Junkyard Dog said:

What did you decide about changing the transmission fluid, if anything?

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I did an initial fluid and filter change as well as installing the PPE transmission pan. I have since been draining and refilling the fluid approximately every three track weekends.

krisk said:

I did an initial fluid and filter change as well as installing the PPE transmission pan. I have since been draining and refilling the fluid approximately every three track weekends.

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Nice. Thanks for replying.

Ouch. I just received an education from your other thread.


I had no idea Ford made it this complicated.

Junkyard Dog said:

Ouch. I just received an education from your other thread.

Transmission Fluid Check How-To (Not Fun)

For anyone who has thought about checking the transmission fluid in their 10r80, I’ll let you know it is not fun. I changed out my transmission pan for one that has a plug so I can regularly change my fluid since I am tracking my car. I have the shop manual which says the initial fill after...

www.mustang7g.com

I had no idea Ford made it this complicated.

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If you have a lift, it isn't too terrible after you've done it once. It would not be fun doing it on ramps.

Not for everyone, but this is what I have done in the past ( before trans pan change ) and now. Past, changed it about once every year or 6 track days. Since I installed a PPE trans pan I changed the fluid only after track day. Over the years I have learned the ratio of the fill line from hot and cold.I measure how much came out of the trans and refill that amount. Check the "cold" level, add if necessary, start the car and put it drive and then in rev. Recheck the fluid level, add or subtract if necessary. I have check the fluid level the Ford correct way many times over the years and with this method I know where the fill should be when cool (about 75 deg). A matter of fact I check my fluid level per the Ford documented way two weeks ago and the fluid was right where it should be. Including the nice burn on my left arm and wrist, thank you Ford. I really hate this about our cars. Anyway. I include the cost of trans fluid as part of the track day expense. Once again this method is just what I do. Oh I must add that I have a quick jack so it does make the job easier.