Automatic transmission reliability

[mvrod]

Does anyone know how reliable Fiat made the automatic transmissions for the Spider models? The year in question is a 1979 with A/T. I have only owned manual transmission in various spider years and have no knowledge of the the level of quality put into the A/T. Thanks

[manoa matt]

It's a GM transmission, so getting it serviced should be a snap compared to the manual unit. I've driven one before, but never worked on it, so I can't say definitively. Mark Allison should know.

[spiderrey]

its out of a chevy chevette. i drove one for a while and didnt have any issues. it made a nice cruiser.

[So Cal Mark]

it's a GM TH180 and is a reliable trans. Also GM used it in the Tracker. Parts are available, but they rarely break unless you let the leaks get it low enough to burn up. One important issue is the detent cable. Those are a little hard to come by and if yours is broken at the throttle end the trans won't shift properly and will fail prematurely

[CajunMike]

I had some problems with mine slipping which is one of the reasons it got parked permanently. But that was around the 90k mile mark, and it would sometimes get hung up under the high rev shift from 2nd to 3rd. Not that I would do that often.

The Shifter bushing also wore off at some point and I "engineered" a bushing from a solid rubber piece. Overall it was fairly reliable and probably kept me from going through several sets of rear tires. Its really kinda boring though with the automatic and at some point I hope to make the switch to manual. Ill see how it responds after I work it over and make the '78 carb switch.

[VAS]

As a an enthusiast I have owned 4 AT Spiders to date. In fact, I drove one home from work today. The transmissions are fine units.

We service them in our shop. It is an easy task. And Transmission Filter Kits are still available for the Do-It-Your-Selfer. Aftermarket AT transmission mounts are available.

Although Kick Down Cables have been unavailable, our shop is working to devise a substitute. Soon we will annnounce a date that we will have them on our shelves.

One other note: Although you may assume the only cars that draw top dollar are 5-speed, I sold a very nice 1981 Spider with AT that had been owned by Dr. Timothy Botts, world renown art curator, for over $10,000 a few years back.

We hope to see a few nice examples displayed by our customers at our Open House, 10am-2pm, SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2010 in Fort Worth.

-Jerry Lee Phillips, owner Vick Autosports

[spidernut]

I have an automatic on my '79. I agree that they're not as much fun to drive, but the auto leaves the right hand free to hold hands and flirt with the wife!

Total problems with the transmission thus far? ZERO! It is rock solid, shifts perfectly, kickdown works perfectly, etc. It's also a heck of a lot more fun in traffic than a stick!!!

[Fiat88]

I have an automatic on my '79. I agree that they're not as much fun to drive, but the auto leaves the right hand free to hold hands and flirt with the wife!

Total problems with the transmission thus far? ZERO! It is rock solid, shifts perfectly, kickdown works perfectly, etc. It's also a heck of a lot more fun in traffic than a stick!!!

I've got a '79 auto too. I wonder how many automatics there are to manuals for all years from '79 and up. Obviously much less but still anyone have an idea?