A855 - 5 Speed

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I sent that email on a Sunday, he replied next day and agreed.
Just got a follow up today, new trans built, every piece checked and re-checked, tested and tested again. Going thru it again and more testing. Will keep me posted.

It's clear to everyone involved that whether or not the trans was damaged the first time I received it, it was damaged the second time, and more importantly that both times there was an issue with 4th unrelated to any possible shipping damage.

If it wasn't for the excellent service, and GFI taking ownership of every issue, I would be in a different place right now, in every sense, mentally, anger level, trans, etc.

I had an issue with my TTI headers last year, and didn't want to r&r them, box, ship, wait, to take advantage of their warranty.
I just wanted to express my disappointment.
They sent me new headers, fasteners and gaskets. I didn't even come close to requesting anything.

So, yes, this sucks so bad, I hate every moment, and I'm missing out on not only driving it, but moving on to other improvements.

But dag nammit, I'm so grateful that there are people, and companies, that stand behind their product, go above and beyond, take ownership, and still exist.

At least I'll end up with a new trans, and a new warranty.

Trying to stay positive, and we just got 2 feet of snow so it's not going anywhere anytime soon.

As far as break in miles, I put 350 on it in a short time, and didn't drive it much due to my frustration.

They say patience is a virtue..... Not my strongest suit.....Hang in there Chief!
 
My wait was less than 3 years. Not fast by any means, but sooner than I thought.
Is this all to eliminate the need to cut a 3x4 inch cut in the floor pan? SST. I saved the piece. Nobody knows. I have an installed working transmission.
3 years.
 
Not necessarily.
As I stated earlier, in my case, original bb car, didn't want to cut it up, or deal with any potential issues or unknowns.

More importantly, iirc, aftermarket trans would interfere with the bench seat.

Also, I could only find stories of people who knew a guy who had one, but little direct experience, which is why I started this thread in the first place.
 
It seems you, and maybe a couple other guys are having issues with the popping out of gear. They sent theirs back and now its fixed.

I can only hope I'm one of the lucky ones who won't have any issues. I wont know yet, my car is still in the shop for some Vitamin C Orange.
Sure looks good on the stand. LOL
 
My new trans was shipped with 8 other trans on a palet to their test facility for road testing this past Monday.

I have received multiple emails with updates and had a conversation last Friday.
My understanding is changes have been made to components in the transmissions to eradicate this pop-out issue across the board.
I will continue to receive communications until it's ready and back in PA.
At that time I need to choose a date for it to be driven to me. I would need to have the current trans out and ready to go.
New warranty starts on the delivery date.
I'm in no rush as it's cold here.
 
I received an email on Friday 12/27/2019 that the 9 trans would be sent to the test facility in WY on Monday 12/30/2019 for road testing.

I received an email today, 1/6/2020.

I was informed all 9 transmissions were sent for testing due to the same issue, popping out of 4th gear.

All tested fine.

The only difference between my current trans in my car now, and those 9 is a heavier side cover spring.

Now they want to send me a new side cover with the heavier spring for the trans in my car now.

A new side cover was offered already to me when I received the trans the second time via ups as the shift threads were messed up when they went through the side of the crate during shipping.

That was the same time I was unable to turn the input shaft, initially, and when I did it made a horrible sound. I sent a video to them and they said something beyond the cover is wrong and to send it back.

When it was delivered to me, driven to me, the third time, same shift cover with the threads filed down so the nut could be threaded on. I was told prior to it being driven to me that the cover was not being replaced and the threads were filed.

Previous emails stated I will be contacted to schedule a time to deliver, as well as on the phone on 12/27.

Today I'm being told delivery by them personally was not approved, but I can still go forward with the new unit but it must be shipped.

Also noted was the fact that for all future trans they have, made some changes to components in the transmission to eradicate this pop-out issue across the board.

Changes to me is plural, not a single spring.

Also, on the 12/27 phone call I requested 3 quarts of fluid with the new trans, as I had spent $150 or so on 6 qts, 3 for break-in and 3 for after, had used all 6 and haven't even reached the 500 mile break-in.

Not to mention, which I did mention, primer, paint, I paid to ship it back, time, effort, swapping the trans twice and soon to be third.

I even said I didn't care about the fluid that much, but I needed to know so I could order it.

I was also told if I just swap the cover, I can reuse the fluid in it now.

I would still have to drop the trans to get the cover off, yes?

And even if 9 trans get to WY next day, Wednesday was New Year's. Road test 9 trans in 3-5 days?

I have been beyond reasonable, and the individual I have been dealing with has been great, and when I started writing this I wasn't sure if I should just take the cover, or not, or be pissed off, or not.

I'm plenty ticked right now.
 
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My opinion: They need to fix it, not you, and it better be right this time when the send you the transmission.

The crazy thing to me is for basically the same price (and quite a lot of fab work that can't be called original), I have a T56 Magnum in the tunnel of my car - which worked perfect the first time it showed up. This is making me even happier that I went that direction instead of this direction.
 
I have a T56 Magnum in the tunnel of my car

I really would like to know a few things, if you don't mind:
How was it shipped exactly?
Is there a warranty, if so what is the duration?
How do you know you have a warranty, was there paperwork included with the trans?
 
I really would like to know a few things, if you don't mind:
How was it shipped exactly?
Is there a warranty, if so what is the duration?
How do you know you have a warranty, was there paperwork included with the trans?


I just looked in the Passon site and I can't see any drawings or an exploded view of this gear box.

I'm trying to figure out what spring(s) in the side cover. If it's a ball detent cover it should have a spring for each detent.

If it's an interlocking lever side cover (don't know why they'd use that system) I can't remember how many springs that system has.

Something isn't making sense.
 
My T56 was shipped in a nice thick box. With Cardboard board supports, strapped to a pallet. Shipped thru RL Carriers thru Silver Sport transmissions
6D0E343C-050C-4994-A41E-DD8730727897.jpeg
A8D98365-D959-440E-B9B6-14064238A2F2.jpeg
 
I have been provided information about a heavier spring used, specifically for the 3/4 shift, in the past verbally on a phone call. A stiffer spring was also mentioned for the 1/2 shift.
IIRC, a heavier spring was used on both the 1/2 and 3/4 on a test trans, and possibly my current trans. I'd have to check this thread to see if I noted what was communicated to me here.
IIRC x2, 5th didn't have the option for a heavier spring.

UPDATE, from my Nov 13th post #44:
Second round, the repairs were explained to me, iirc, the sliders were replaced, the 1/2 and 3/4 springs were upgraded, and based on that I should notice a better shift quality from before. A few other things were replaced, again, which I do not recall at the moment.


The below 3 paragraphs are from 3 different emails in the last few weeks. The trans being referred to is my brand new trans that I do not have, I still have my first A855 in my car:

I have already done some custom machining to the case and made the 4th gear shift feel much more secure when its in gear.

We have been able to up our quality standard of all our future units and have also made some changes to components in the transmission to eradicate this pop-out issue across the board.

The only difference between those units and your current unit is a heavier side cover spring. If you would like I can send you a new side cover with this new spring and you can swap the cover and everything will be taken care of.
 
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UPDATE, from my Nov 13th post #44:
Second round, the repairs were explained to me, iirc, the sliders were replaced, the 1/2 and 3/4 springs were upgraded

Isn't this referring to side cover springs?

I don't know why it is now being referred to as singular, a side cover spring.

Note: this would be the same side cover they offered to send me a replacement for last time, when it went through the crate, and had visible damage -

BUT would not replace when I sent it back because the input shaft was initially stuck, then when unstuck made a horrific noise, which I sent a video of before sending the trans back.

That really ticked me off, but I figured it was fixed and the shifter bolted up.
 
They need to do a lot better than this. This is a new product and they need to make it right and the way they are handling this whole process is going to turn a lot of people away. I was planning on buying one of them until i read this post. I will go a different route. Sorry for your troubles.
 
I really would like to know a few things, if you don't mind:
How was it shipped exactly?
Is there a warranty, if so what is the duration?
How do you know you have a warranty, was there paperwork included with the trans?

Mine was in the same box posted above, delivered by UPS without a pallet. No issue. 12 month /12000 mile warranty provided the damage isn't determined to be due to racing. Already past the time, but it's done well, I've been happy. The 500 mile break-in fluid change was nice and clean, the thing shifts crisp at 6500 rpm.
 
On Friday 1/10 I replied to the email I received on Monday 1/6.
Today is 1/17, one week later and no response.

I'm so tired of hearing what a saint Passon is for building a Mopar specific trans, and because of that we all have to accept that they are too busy to even reply to a phone message or email, provide correct information, or any form of a receipt that your local ice cream stand would readily supply.

No receipts supplied at any point, no mention of a warranty or who provides it, the absolute worst and cheapest way to ship it, the only ppwk supplied instructs you to use fluid for limited slip differentials which is incorrect, no communication to customers about the fluid change or on their website.
In addition, they blame the trans popping out of gear on using the incorrect fluid they tell you to use- a member here experienced this.

Guess what? I'm extremely busy, but I reply to everyone within 24 hours, and absolutely have to at work or we lose clients and go out of business and I don't have a job anymore, you know, consequences.

On to GFI, who have been extremely helpful during this entire process, however I'm starting to get the vibe that whomever is calling the shots decided they've spent enough time and money fulfilling their warranty commitments and need me to take the cheapest and easiest way out for them, or just drop it.

I certainly hope this isn't the case.

I started this thread with positive intent, to provide a real first hand experience with this marvel of a transmission, without the I heard this, and a friend of a friend nine towns over hates it baloney that is completely unreliable.

So glad I did, but it shouldn't have started out the way it did. I was expecting to be praising the company and their product, but they are making that impossible.

In my personal experience, Passon hasn't a clue on customer service, I mean come on, hire someone to pick up a phone or write a receipt.

GFI has good people and excellent customer service, but I fear I'm going to be the loser in the end.

I'm extremely patient and understanding, but it's quite possible that I'm getting screwed.

Email sent to GFI on 1/10:

A new side cover or a new trans shipped doesn't make this right.

The trans in my car now was dropped and severely damaged countless times, and shipping it a third time is a good idea?

It was communicated to me multiple times, both via email and on the phone, that this time a new trans would be delivered to me.

Now that agreement is being reneged on?

I spent $6,000 on this trans and have yet to put break in miles on it.

There's no way I'm dropping it again to change a side cover and cross my fingers.

There is something wrong with this trans. It stays in 4th half the time, I'm no expert but that doesn't sound like a spring working fine half the time. Plus, it makes a horrible sound in neutral.

Why didn't I receive a receipt for 6k? No written warranty? No contact info for warranty work? The only ppwk that came with the trans was a one pager listing the wrong fluid to use. Good thing I questioned it, and when I left a message with Passon, no reply. After weeks of trying I get, 'we made a change to the fluid.' Zero communication to customers.

As far as the old trans vs the new one.

First time it was fixed, the sliders were replaced, the 1/2 and 3/4 springs were upgraded, and other damage fixed. Second time, more damage definitely from shipping, the shift threads were damaged and I was offered a new side cover, but after I got it back it had the same side cover.

According to email/phone call, the new one has had custom machining to the case, and changes were made to components to eradicate the pop-out issue. Changes to me is plural, not a single spring.

This trans has had many issues, but 1 constant from the first drive out of my garage. The shipping container is a cheap wooden box and not acceptable for a heavy, complex, fragile, expensive piece.

I'm tired of this.
I want the following:
- A new transmission.
- A written warranty.
- In writing, the correct fluid type and break in procedures.
- A written description of what the trans has as far as components, and what exactly was machined. The reason for this is I have no idea what repairs were done to my current trans, and if anything goes wrong with the new one, as the customer I need to be informed. Basically a detailed receipt.
- No shipping via current GFI method of wooden box and ups. If delivery by GFI is not an option, I want compensation for picking it up in person equal to shipping a trans twice, or paying an employee to deliver, whichever is less. If GFI doesn't have to pay for shipping the new trans to me, and the old one back, I should not be the one to sustain additional losses.
- If I am picking it up in person, it needs to be on a weekend. Also, as we originally agreed, I need time to remove the trans from my car, weather permitting.

A written warranty, correct fluid and care in writing, and a receipt for repair work, are all standard industry practice.

I am not requesting anything unreasonable. I have incurred additional expenses and other negative impacts, however I am not trying to be made completely whole.
I only want, and certainly deserve, to get back to the point of shipping the trans to GFI the first time, which I paid to ship, for warranty work.

You, or anyone else, can call me anytime to discuss, or reply via email.

Thank you.
Matt
 
WOW. I've been fairly poor most my life. No way I'd gamble on a piece from this outfit. I do wish you luck. Frankly at this point I think I'd be considering a lawyer---and a full refund.
 
I am impressed that you have held together this long! I used to be one of those people that just let stuff to , things happen, it'll be ok, but years of putting up with it,especially while building and I had to deal with compound people putting the screws to me and I can't deal with it any more. I had a company out up 4 garage doors at once and only the heavy one that had glass and was insulated opened and closed properly. They come to " fix" them twice. The first consisting only living the rollers and leaving. The second time they actually adjusted the spring but it it still didn't lift the door all the way up. Wonder why people get gu n shy after people trying to screw you Every day. I hope they at least give you a brand new transmission and fluid. At this point if they offered, I wouldn't let these CLOWNS install it. They are incompetent all the way. Beware of us car tool since I'm on a rant. They fit the same bill.
 
Pretty sad that they can't even provide a substantial shipping container for the price. A gear vendor overdrive would beat this thing by price,quality and function
 
Good chance Passon won´t show his face at Carlisle this year.
 
Make a log the issue. For the log, list your actions and their responses and promises in chronological order. Code the items so it is obvious for the items that you have undeniable evidence of, for example, dated e mails, videos, photos, checks, credit card statements..
also list:
.money spent
.time invested installing & removing the transmission
.time your car has been unavailable to you due to transmission issue
. What you want, your money back and compensated for your time invested or another transmission

take that to a lawyer, pay them 200.00 to type it up and send a copy via registered/certified mail where proof of delivery is obtained. Don’t get the response you want, take it to court. Passion will need to travel to your area for any litigation activity, so that is in your favor concerning getting them to agree to a reasonable refund.
You just need to let them know you are serious and are not just willing to let this go away.
 
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I just don´t get the need for the 5K overdrive . I just got back from a 2 hour interstate drive . Barracuda , mild 340 pulls hard , 833-4-speed , 3.23 sure-grip , ran 75-85mph the whole way 16mpg at the fill up $2.39 a gallon .car drives awesome ,I love it ,I paid less then your transmission for the whole car 20 years ago.
 
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