Transmission update:
Apparently buying and shipping a used transmission is significantly harder than it should be. The first one I thought I bought never shipped. They never charged me, and then wouldn’t answer the phone when I called.
I’ve talked to several salvage yards since and some of these conversations have been like trying to make small talk with a bouncer at a redneck picnic. Just no personality whatsoever. One guy was particularly impressive. I called asking whether a specific inventory number was still available. He kept asking, “What’s it for?”
The inventory number literally includes what it’s for.
So after going back and forth I finally said, “2013 Ford Taurus, 3.5L turbo transmission.”
“Don’t have it.”
Click.
He hung up basically the instant I finished describing it.
Anyway, I finally found a decent person to deal with and what looks like a really nice transmission over in Indiana. It’s a complete 6F55 out of a 2014 Taurus SHO with 52,700 miles. The salvage yard says the transmission looks outstanding, the fluid coming out of it looked excellent, and the car appeared to have been very well maintained before it was wrecked.
Transmission is $650 and I’m working out freight, which should be around $280. It includes the original 52k-mile torque converter, but I’ve decided not to use it. I’m sending that converter back and ordering a brand-new converter from PNH.
After talking with PNH, I also learned their Stage 1/2/3 descriptions on the website aren’t really how they build these. They configure them based on the application. For simplicity, though, what I’m buying could basically be considered their Stage 1 performance converter.
It’s the PNH 2450SSAX with a 2500-rpm stall. It’s furnace brazed with internal upgrades, a balloon plate and heavy-duty bearings. It’s about $500 before tax/shipping, probably around $570 delivered.
It’s a nice middle ground between an OEM converter and the full custom PNH converter I already have, which has the billet cover, triple-disc lockup and custom stall.
So the new combination:
52,700-mile stock 2014 SHO 6F55 + brand-new PNH 2500-stall SSAX converter + fresh fluid. All-in I’ll have roughly $1,500 into the transmission, freight and new converter.
I’m actually getting really fond of this little plan. I’ve already taken a completely stock 6F55 and stock converter repeatedly into the low 11s. This gives me another healthy OEM transmission, but this time with a better converter and considerably more control over the transmission calibration than I had back then.
My Kevlar transmission and custom PNH triple-disc aren’t going anywhere. Those can come back for the next power level. For now I want to finish the 93-octane calibration and see exactly what a healthy stock 6F55, upgraded converter and properly calibrated pressure/torque management can accomplish.