I have a Mendeola 2d with a stock turnkey LS1 (sandwinder). I do some jumping nothing crazy (I get the clutch in when doing so) and drive the car fairly tame (due to my eight year old being on board). Mid way through last season I stopped driving my car into my trailer due to the noise my clutch was making so now I winch it in. I did not have a clutch failure the remaining times I took it out but I am replacing it before the season so I am thinking the transmission while the clutch is being addressed. My transmission is fine and showing no issues and I have two seasons on it (with fluids changes each year). My question is I think I should be pulling it and have it internally redone? I get mixed answers and I would prefer to do maintenance now versus breaking down later. I have been told this would run me about $600.

My questions are:

1. How often should the fluids be changed. My understanding it is every season.
2. Is there anything I can do to internally beef up the 2d and make it stronger then what I currently have and at what dollar figure?
3. Who can I take the car to that has the most experience and greatest service in the Phoenix/Mesa area?

1) They say to change the fluid every 30 days of use or once per season - about the same period of time for me.
2) G-50 main shaft bearing upgrade and weddle ring and pinion gears.
3) AZ Transaxle is the best place in town to get your transaxle serviced. I do not believe that they will pull it or re-install though.

before you go doing that make sure you have 1/8 in play before the hydraulic actuator hits the arm

If you want someone to pull the motor and tranny for you, give Dale at Sandtrix a call. 480-633-2400. He is at Stapely and Guadalupe.

Is it 4 quarts of oil in the 2D?

Yes, 4 Quarts

Is there a way to see if my existing tranny (2d) has enough oil in it? I looked around the tranny and I don't see any device (dip stick or measuring window) to tell where I'm at...

Drain it and start over. But you can take the nut off of the side of the trans and the level should be right there.

Dave McDowell suggests 4.5 quarts???

200 bucks for a trans pump keep it oiled

should you put more oil in it if you have a pump and cooler?

Tundy, the easy way is to drain and reinstall the oil.
do not fill it to the fill hole or it will blow out the breather and seals.
Generaly you shold not be concerned about the oil level not unless you know it leaks, or has not been serviced in a long time.

That would work, but every chassis builder put the engine at a different rake.
This will cause the tranny to purge its oil at different levels.
I say 4 qts. and see what blows out the breather and make note of this as to not have to clean it up every time you fill it after service.

Its a good idea to fill the lines, and filter, and pump make note of this amount then fill the tranny and add the noted amount.
once again see how much purges from the breather and deduct that much at the next service.

Do you have a good method for measuring the amount of tranny fluid that is blown out the breather all over your car ? Or are we just guessing on the deduction ?

wrong, anything more than 4 will just puke out the overflow. Some will even puke out with 4. It will end up with just a hair under four, atlest that is what mine have done over the years.

That tranny was built by Bill at AZ transaxle. If you want it to last another two seasons or more, having him refresh it is in your best interest when you have it out. He will at least "IF" nothing else is wrong change out some seals and magnaflux it all and inspect your main bearing and gears etc. If you have it out, there is no doubt you should refresh it after two seasons. Nothing worse than passing on it, then having something break mid season because you wanted to save $500. Do yourself a favor and only take it to Bill, you want his main bearing setup if yours is gone. His work is unmatched (in AZ anyway).

So its 4 quarts of oil in the 2d without a pump and cooler. What oil do you guys recommend?

synergy....

I personally would have a nosecone installed as well.

Hey Legit...Dave told me the same thing...however he told me 4.5 quarts if it was rebuilt and if you are just changing the oil it would be only 4 quarts....Dave is a smart and cool dude

Been using Kendall without any problems

Thanks for helping me not look like an idiot TTT... I KNEW he said 4.5, just didn't catch the dry fill part.
I've had 2 seasons on my McDowell 2D, not one leak, not one problem... Have had a shifter linkage problem that keeps popping up and have caught 1st to reverse a few times......

anytime ....

Put too much oil in it and the ring gear can't sling oil to the gear stack or the bearings

Getting ready for the upcoming season. Can anyone recommend someone near the Coachella Valley (Palm Springs area) that can be relied upon to freshen up the tranny?

Dave Folts in Ontario is worth the drive!