Auto Strengthen

[turbotrana]

I was gonna ask the question "who loads their BTR auto in 4th". This is a no no from what I understand also.

Edited 06/09/08 02:38 PM by turbotrana

[Howsee]

mate that's a sure way to kill your box very quickly. 4th is an overdrive, and shouldn't be used when you want to put your foot down. myself along with 2 other blokes did this, all our transmissions gave up not long after. even with a built box I wouldn't do it.

my 2c worth

Howsee

[XRDOSE]

thanks for the reply guys ill drive it in 3sp mode from now on and cross my fingers it all holds together!

[straughsberry]

  hulk xr6t said:

dont even bother... spend $2000 or $5000 it wont hold up 350rwkw...

I had a 4spd auto built three times and it dropped its pants 3 times in less than 2000km with only 320rwkw. Never raced, hardly ever driven at all..

Gearbox dropped its pants just cruising on the highway at 100km/h. Big tranny cooler on it and all.. each time it went it wasnt even under load..

That's some bad luck...Who builds your trans? Might be time for a new builder and/or tuner and/or driving style. There is a little bit that can be done to these and 350rwkw is not a big deal for one that's built right, tuned right and driven right. Keep away from axle tramp, run a cooler and temp gauge and there's no reason why they can't hold 400+ for a decent period of time

I've got a trans builder whose willing to experiment a little with some ideas he has to try and make mine hold 500+rwkw. He reckons he's had a fair bit of success making them hold well over 400+rwkw. Tempting but experimental.

Just to add, I always drive my box in manual mode (down shifts too) and never give it heaps in 4th. It's held 315rwkw since May and 350rwkw since March and it gets a hard time just about every day. Especially the 1-2 shift. No cooler...

Edited 07/09/08 07:46 PM by straughsberry

[hulk xr6t]

I dont really want to say who built the transmission just yet.. LEts just say its a very known workshop and they would be completely embarrassed at the way they dealt with my car (Now FPV_Steve). Id rather give them an opportunity to man up and admit they dont really know what they are doing with these types of cars.. And repair the gearbox properly or fund the proper rebuild of this gearbox by a workshop can fix problems rather than create them..

FPV_Steve did buy my old XR6T. I had the gearbox rebuilt one week before he purchased the car and it gave way about a week after he purchased the car..

The workshop gives the old tales, "he must have thrashed it, how do you know its the same problem" etc etc.. Three times in 2000km the gearbox has given up the ghost, exactly the same symtoms and the car driven very easily and not even under load. One time it went on the highway cruising at 80km/h in the rain, just cruising along.. You all read FPV_Steves account of how it failed on him.

My advice either get a written guarantee that the box will last at least 12 months, otherwise dont give them any money to build the gearbox..

The car went into the shop with power and the box was rebuilt knowing how much power the car has, then when it fails in less than 1000km they say "those 4 speed boxes arnt really built for that power"... Why didnt you say that before you rebuilt it?

[straughsberry]

Yeah it certainly is unfair when you get taken for a ride, and in your case a long one, and they aren't decent enough to put up and fix the problem once and for all. I feels for ya. We've all been there. Maybe ask them for a partial refund? Labour costs and inconvenience should add up to about an 80% refund. Give them another chance and if they still stuff you around then go to someone reputable and name names!

My trans is starting to show signs of wear. I'm just about to take my spare BTR in for a freshen up to a non-advertiser but I'll keep us posted on costs and how the build goes once it gets done and I've fit it, thrashed it and assessed it.

[steveo87]

  straughsberry said:

That's some bad luck...Who builds your trans? Might be time for a new builder and/or tuner and/or driving style. There is a little bit that can be done to these and 350rwkw is not a big deal for one that's built right, tuned right and driven right. Keep away from axle tramp, run a cooler and temp gauge and there's no reason why they can't hold 400+ for a decent period of time

I've got a trans builder whose willing to experiment a little with some ideas he has to try and make mine hold 500+rwkw. He reckons he's had a fair bit of success making them hold well over 400+rwkw. Tempting but experimental.

Just to add, I always drive my box in manual mode (down shifts too) and never give it heaps in 4th. It's held 315rwkw since May and 350rwkw since March and it gets a hard time just about every day. Especially the 1-2 shift. No cooler...

a few questions: Who built your box, how much was it and how hard do you rev it (I have been told high rpm is a big killer for these boxes) if I plan to mod my ba I would be looking for around 250rwkw

[straughsberry]

My current trans was built by BTR mate - it's stock with no cooler. My tuner (Mick @ Pit Lane) tweaked the tune to give much firmer shifts, and that is the main reason it has lasted. That and the fact that it has only seen the street. I had the billet oil pump gears fitted so the rev limiter has been raised to 6500 rpm and it makes power to about 6300 rpm. It is starting to show signs of stress now and there's some flaring on decent throttle from 1-2 and 3-4. 2-3 shift is firm as ever.

I just took my spare box in for a freshen up yesterday to RVO in Dandenong and for around $1200 it will be getting bands, clutches some bushing mods (helps keep the input and output shafts in alignment, servo's, bearings and perhaps a valve body mod. All in aid of firmer shifts and keeping the shafts aligned. The planetaries will remain the stock units but we reckon the other mods should be enough to hold 350 for a while at least. The next step up is around $2500 where the entire gearset is machined, balanced and checked for proper clearances, modified AU planetaries and a couple of other secret tweaks.

[PDIDDY]

Well, after driving my car for the last 2 days (I don't drive it that often any more), I think the time has come. I am going to see Graham at Western Suburbs Autos today, after he was recommended a second time by one of the boys at Driveline Srevices. Spoke to him yesterday again, and he seems pretty switched on about things. I have put a link in to his website, which I also had a look at yesterday. Doesn't say he's done many Ford's, but has done a few other makes.

Anyway, it has to be better than what I have now. Driving around in 3rd, scared to sink the slipper incase a tow truck is needed. Will keep you updated.

http://www.wsautomatics.com.au/

[hulk xr6t]

I dont really want to rubbish the workshop but if you are thinking of building up your 4 speed auto transmission or tune, PM me and Ill let you know the full unedited story...