Converting to an Auto Trans - Need lots of help please…

[marcspaz]

EDIT:.....

OK, after much debate, I am going to give the 4r70w another look. I am starting to get some pricing info.

[/EDIT]


I know I am gonna catch some serious shit from some folks here. I have been a diehard Manual Transmission guy, and a big time ball-buster about it too, but I am gonna bite the bullet and drop the stick.

I blew my T3650… bad. 2 of the 3 fork rails snapped off their mounts and I am pretty sure part of a shift forlk is bouncing around inside the gearbox. Needless to say, even with the 4.56 gears, starting in 3rd and topping in 4th is a PITA!

So, I am going to get a 5r55. To do the conversion, I have been told I need a 5r55, an auto PCM, auto trans wiring harness, flex plate, torque converter, and a shifter. Am I missing anything? Do I need a new trans mount?

I need advice on a few things. Let me know what you guys think.

I am looking at getting a Dynamic, PI or TCI torque converter. I am assuming that since I am going to be doing WOT lockups I need a multi-disc. Due to where I make power, having the stage 3 cams, and the 4.56 gears, I am thinking I should buy a 4000 RPM locking stall converter, maybe a 4500. Does this sound right? For the guys racing with aggressive street cars (esp. 11.5 and faster), what are you all using?

Since I have to buy a shifter, I might as well get an NHRA approved ratchet shifter (w/reverse lockout). Any recommendations? I like Hurts/B&M, but I have never used their auto trans ratchet shifters. I prefer one the requires no mods to the car, just a bolt-in and everything works.

Also, does it really matter what flex plate I get as long as it fits, even a stocker?

 

[Kaldar142]

Hey marc,

im not really an expert on this but if youre going to do the swap why not make it worthwhile and do the 4r70? it seems to be a much better trans

 

[marcspaz]

My first choice would have been a 4r70w with a manual valve body and a 10" triple disc TC. No computer, no BS, just a great trans. Problem is I drive 70 to 100 miles a day, mostly highway, 5 days a week. 4.56 gears and a 4 speed don't sound like a great fit for the current use. I did give it a good look though.

In a couple years, when it is strickly an RV, I will most likely go that way.

 

[navbtcret]

My first choice would have been a 4r70w with a manual valve body and a 10" triple disc TC. No computer, no BS, just a great trans. Problem is I drive 70 to 100 miles a day, mostly highway, 5 days a week. 4.56 gears and a 4 speed don't sound like a great fit for the current use. I did give it a good look though.

In a couple years, when it is strickly an RV, I will most likely go that way.

Overdrive is overdrive, it does not matter on the highway if it is a 5 speed or a 4 speed. The only time that comes into play is city driving. I get the same gas milage with the 4r as I did with the 5r.

B&M/Hurst does not make a direct bolt in ratchet shifter for our cars. You have to do modifications for them. I have the B&M hammer shifter in mine and love it but it took Mike @ Powerhouse several hours, like 8 to fit and mount it properly. It looks like it is stock though, he did a great job.

If you are driving the car a lot on the street I would not go with anything over a 3500 stall speed.

I think I have a stock flex plate in the garage, it is yours if you want it just pay for the shipping. And yes the stock flex plate is just fine on the car. I went with a sfi approved flex plate due to wanting to run the car in the 10's.

 

[retfr8flyr]

I'm sure others will chime in here with the same advice but I would definitely go with the 4R70W over the 5R55 in swapping from a manual. The 4R still has overdrive and since you are starting from scratch it will end up costing about the same or less than the 5R55 and you will have a much better trans. Go with your first idea get the full manual valve bode with a ratchet shifter and it will be almost like driving your manual. I would also recommend not going over 4000 stall on a DD and get a multi disk lock up converter.


Earl

 

[JeffS]

I have the TCI streetfighter ratchet shifter with my automatic. Very solid.. simple replacement part for original stock shifter. The car is alot of fun to drive with this shifter and gives me control over the shift points.
It has an o/d push button also that allows you to turn off o/d when you don't want 5th to be used.

 

[ILW84U]

I put the B & M Hammer shifter in mine. It isn't really a big deal. You just have to make a plate to cover the opening in the transmission tunnel & spend some time to get it positioned right.

 

[2k05gt]

4r70W Gear Ratios
1st: 2.84 2nd: 1.55 3rd: 1.00 4th: 0.70

5R55S Gear Ratios
1st 3.25 2nd 2.44 3rd 1.55 4th 1.00 5th .75

TR-3650 Gear Ratios
1st 3.77 2nd 2.00 3rd 1.31 4th 1.00 5th 0.67

From what it looks like to me Marc is the 4R70 is close to the Manual Gear Ratio in Final Drive (OD) in 5th or 4th
Interesting... I should have looked at this before my Auto rebuild, the 4R70 would get me through the traps faster and I can install a Trans Brake... Might be Worth it
http://www.vibratesoftware.com/html_help/html/Ford/Ford_Transmissions_Main.htm
4R70W

5R55S

TR-3650

 

[94tbird]

http://www.svtperformance.com/forum...y-sell-273/625972-4r7w-transmission-sale.html

 

[Freaknazty]

this is the list I have so far ...now other shit may be needed but these are a deff needed I personally would rather do the 5r swap BUT I know it won't hold up in my car




PARTS NEEDED TO DO A TRANNY SWAP


Transmission
Flex plate
Flex plate bolts
Torque converter & bolts
Bell housing bolts (they are different than a manual)
Engine wiring harness
Shifter assembly
Shifter cable
Shifter mount plate (it is missing in a manual)
Pedal assembly (only if you want to swap it out. I did)
Body plug where the clutch assembly goes through the floor pan (all it is, is a piece of dynamat)
PCM for an automatic car
Trans cooler
Brake master cylinder (or like Freak said, plug the slave cylinder port on your existing)
Trim piece for the console where the shifter goes through
BRAKE LOCKOUT SWITCH

hope this helps bro

 

[SirKnightTG]

4r70W Gear Ratios
1st: 2.84 2nd: 1.55 3rd: 1.00 4th: 0.70

5R55S Gear Ratios
1st 3.22 2nd 2.29 3rd 1.55 4th 1.00 5th .71

TR-3650 Gear Ratios
1st 3.77 2nd 2.00 3rd 1.31 4th 1.00 5th 0.67

http://www.vibratesoftware.com/html_help/html/Ford/Ford_Transmissions_Main.htm

4R70W

5R55S

TR-3650

From what it looks like to me Marc is the 4R70 is close to the Manual Gear Ratio in Final Drive (OD) in 5th or 4th
Interesting... I should have looked at this before my Auto rebuild, the 4R70 would get me through the traps faster and I can install a Trans Brake... Might be Worth it

The 5R55S ratios you specified and what's in the chart does not match. What's in the chart seems to be the correct ratios based on my calculations and observations while driving.

 

[2k05gt]

Fixed, Thanks for the catch..

 

[lostsoul]

Dont do it!!!! autos suck... only for the lazy person.. hell you might as well go NOS while your at it.. then penis enlargement then welfare .... get da picture.. hhaha

 

[05stroker]

Marc, We have lot of stuff we need to trade . PCM , Shifter,shifter boot, flexplate 5r55s stuff . PM me if interested and I will give you my cell and you can call me tomarrow to go over it . I am swaping from a 5r55s to a 4r70w right now and have everthing except the harness. My trans is blown though . Billy

 

[marcspaz]

Overdrive is overdrive, it does not matter on the highway if it is a 5 speed or a 4 speed. The only time that comes into play is city driving. I get the same gas milage with the 4r as I did with the 5r.

B&M/Hurst does not make a direct bolt in ratchet shifter for our cars. You have to do modifications for them. I have the B&M hammer shifter in mine and love it but it took Mike @ Powerhouse several hours, like 8 to fit and mount it properly. It looks like it is stock though, he did a great job.

If you are driving the car a lot on the street I would not go with anything over a 3500 stall speed.

I think I have a stock flex plate in the garage, it is yours if you want it just pay for the shipping. And yes the stock flex plate is just fine on the car. I went with a sfi approved flex plate due to wanting to run the car in the 10's.

Do you have a pic of the shifter installed?

I am starting to wonder if I should do the 4r70w. Seems like I may need to revisit this.

I'm sure others will chime in here with the same advice but I would definitely go with the 4R70W over the 5R55 in swapping from a manual. The 4R still has overdrive and since you are starting from scratch it will end up costing about the same or less than the 5R55 and you will have a much better trans. Go with your first idea get the full manual valve bode with a ratchet shifter and it will be almost like driving your manual. I would also recommend not going over 4000 stall on a DD and get a multi disk lock up converter.


Earl

Thanks man. I am going to have to weigh my options again.

Can I keep my current PCM and wiring harness if I go with the manual valve body?

http://www.svtperformance.com/forum...y-sell-273/625972-4r7w-transmission-sale.html

I emailed this guy to see what he wants for it. He's somewhat local to me too.

Thanks for the heads-up on that one...

this is the list I have so far ...now other shit may be needed but these are a deff needed I personally would rather do the 5r swap BUT I know it won't hold up in my car




PARTS NEEDED TO DO A TRANNY SWAP


Transmission
Flex plate
Flex plate bolts
Torque converter & bolts
Bell housing bolts (they are different than a manual)
Engine wiring harness
Shifter assembly
Shifter cable
Shifter mount plate (it is missing in a manual)
Pedal assembly (only if you want to swap it out. I did)
Body plug where the clutch assembly goes through the floor pan (all it is, is a piece of dynamat)
PCM for an automatic car
Trans cooler
Brake master cylinder (or like Freak said, plug the slave cylinder port on your existing)
Trim piece for the console where the shifter goes through
BRAKE LOCKOUT SWITCH

hope this helps bro

Very cool, That is the kind of infor I was hoping for.

Marc, We have lot of stuff we need to trade . PCM , Shifter,shifter boot, flexplate 5r55s stuff . PM me if interested and I will give you my cell and you can call me tomarrow to go over it . I am swaping from a 5r55s to a 4r70w right now and have everthing except the harness. My trans is blown though . Billy

I'll send you a PM...

 

[2k05gt]

Marc,
BrianW on this Forum has an Automatic Harness, Control Modual and shifter from an 08 that he would like to swap, (he building a Drift Car) I bought the 5R55S from him, he is local in Baltimore, MD

 

[Matt D]

Don't do it

 

[myystanng]

4r70W Gear Ratios
1st: 2.84 2nd: 1.55 3rd: 1.00 4th: 0.70

5R55S Gear Ratios
1st 3.25 2nd 2.44 3rd 1.55 4th 1.00 5th .75

TR-3650 Gear Ratios
1st 3.77 2nd 2.00 3rd 1.31 4th 1.00 5th 0.67

From what it looks like to me Marc is the 4R70 is close to the Manual Gear Ratio in Final Drive (OD) in 5th or 4th
Interesting... I should have looked at this before my Auto rebuild, the 4R70 would get me through the traps faster and I can install a Trans Brake... Might be Worth it

4R70W

5R55S

TR-3650

Would you be willing to share this excel file. This would be so helpful to many others and we would be grateful...

 

[forensicsteve]

Just sold the 4r with shifter. It's a great transmission for dragracing and only 3 racing gears. Mine had been upgraded and reinforced. Being full-manual valve body, drove like a stick without the clutch. For racing, hard to miss a gear. Had electronic overdrive to really lower the rpms for highway driving and also really lowered transmission oil temps...also had transbrake.

Of all the things that have blown or given issues with this car, that 4r70w was the only major component that was trouble free and just kept going.

pics of Hurst that went with the 4r. red button on top is transbrake

 

[marcspaz]

Marc,
BrianW on this Forum has an Automatic Harness, Control Modual and shifter from an 08 that he would like to swap, (he building a Drift Car) I bought the 5R55S from him, he is local in Baltimore, MD

Sweet, I'll send him a PM. Thanks for the heads-up.

Don't do it

Sorry Kid, can't let Scott break into the 11's before me. Been chasing him for years and my driving isn't getting any better. LOL

Just sold the 4r with shifter. It's a great transmission for dragracing and only 3 racing gears. Mine had been upgraded and reinforced. Being full-manual valve body, drove like a stick without the clutch. For racing, hard to miss a gear. Had electronic overdrive to really lower the rpms for highway driving and also really lowered transmission oil temps...also had transbrake.

Of all the things that have blown or given issues with this car, that 4r70w was the only major component that was trouble free and just kept going.

pics of Hurst that went with the 4r. red button on top is transbrake

Thanks for the input. That shifter looks great.

I think I am going to stick with the 5r55. I see there are some rebuild kits that are good for way more power than I can ever throw at it. I'll race it for the next two year as is, then before going FI, I will have it upgraded while the motor is out.