Helix AutoSport (UK) stepping up to manufacture upgraded clutches

[802SHO]

can they also spec case strength and seal strength to go with the increased power? is oem sufficient or do we need to upgrade those as well?

They really wanted a whole transmission to start at the clutches and work their way back. They could also test the parts prior to sending anything out. At the time I got one quote of nearly $4,400 to ship my whole transmission….so we quickly decided just to send the clutch packs and drum/basket assembly. Helix agreed for now we’ll just start with the clutches.

Additional upgrades are likely to be needed

 

[SHOdded]

cool beans

 

[Ecoboost_xsport]

can they also spec case strength and seal strength to go with the increased power? is oem sufficient or do we need to upgrade those as well?

I don't think that is an issue. At least not one close to being a problem. Sure...a billet case would be awesome...but let's not get ahead of ourselves, lol. Let's start with the clutches and basket and go from there.

 

[Ecoboost_xsport]

They really wanted a whole transmission to start at the clutches and work their way back. They could also test the parts prior to sending anything out. At the time I got one quote of nearly $4,400 to ship my whole transmission….so we quickly decided just to send the clutch packs and drum/basket assembly. Helix agreed for now we’ll just start with the clutches.

Additional upgrades are likely to be needed

What sucks is, this platfrom isn't sold in the UK/Europe (not in any great numbers, at least) so the 6F55 isn't as common as it is here for them to find in a salvage yard locally. Otherwise I'd say buy one online at a salvage yard near them and have them pick it up.

 

[802SHO]

Helix Update: It’s begun

 

[Ta2dResqr]

Wait... a company that reaches out to update you without prompting?! Is this that fabled thing my grandparents talk about... dare I say it... "customer service"?!

Awesome news!

 

[802SHO]

Wait... a company that reaches out to update you without prompting?! Is this that fabled thing my grandparents talk about... dare I say it... "customer service"?!

Awesome news!

Right! What a relief

 

[802SHO]

Update:

 

[802SHO]

I love this bc we’ve been waiting over a decade for friction clutches and he’s had my clutches for about 1 month and he’s apologizing for it taking so long! Man if he only knew….so far Helix has been the ONLY company taking this seriously.

 

[Iqoniq]

Wow. Awesome.

 

[802SHO]

Helix has updated me on parts, materials and pricing. I want to be as transparent as possible. I’m going to take a call with Rob next week to discuss more details but I’m assuming this is the price to make one set so it’s much more expensive than what a mass produced item at retail should be.

Some of the materials

Basically about $4,000 USD

 

[802SHO]

 

[802SHO]

Ok just got off the phone with Rob. Love the European accent, said he’s got the day off tomorrow and going shopping with the misses….hahaha! Cheers!

So he’s making disc pack 1 of 1-5 all upgraded friction materials, since disc pack 2 and 3 look great still, increasing friction of disc 1-5 could create stress to disc pack 2 and 3 that they’ve never seen before. So he’s also going to upgrade all the friction discs of disk pack 2 and disk pack 3. The list price he gave me itemized is everything completed…so ready to ship basically. So doing disc pack 1 (1-5) and all the other friction discs of disc pack 2 and 3 it will be $2,535.87 USD. That is one set of one.

Now he said to get orders of 10,20,30 sets it’ll go 10%, 20% ,30% cheaper. He’s making 2 sets of the first set of new friction clutches, 1 set for him to test and 1 set to send me if everything works out. And bc I’m testing them, as it’s all on me to install and do all the work I should receive a large discount and he’ll let me know what my price will be next week. He said if for some unforeseen reason I need to get another clutch upgraded that he isnt making, bc it’s on file he can just create them and send them to me without me needing to send in anymore parts and have a lot less downtime. And all the parts will be heat treated and some oil treatment he said. I’ll provide more detail later. He apologized again for delays which is crazy considering we started correspondence in late January and he only got the clutches about 5 weeks or so ago. He said 4-5 weeks he should be ready to send me the prototype friction discs.

Also the friction material he wants to use stopped the motor on his test rig (dry test) and the motor started smoking. It broke his test rig….that’s pretty cool as much as ir sucks he has to get a new motor. Then he’ll do wet testing with mercon LV and he’ll have a clear window to view through that test rig.

Helix AutoSport has far exceeded my expectations thus far and I look forward to learning more and sharing all the processes step by step.

 

[Bluezone]

This is extremely cool Andrew.

 

[802SHO]

Rob checked in the other day
The corrected date for the parts being returned from heat treatment the second time is 5/31/23. These will just need the frictional material added and they’re ready to ship.

 

[kryptto]

@802SHO you are my hero, seriously what an accomplishment. We will need a list of parts needed for a complete rebuild using Helix friction pads. Is the author of FTW, on our forum? Would enjoy his list getting an update too once available. Very excited, thought this transmission was going the way of other extinct parts. You would figure the platform only ended in 2019... and with as many enthusiasts we have a great market for years to come. Thanks again.

Sent from my SM-T860 using Tapatalk

 

[Ecoboost_xsport]

@802SHO you are my hero, seriously what an accomplishment. We will need a list of parts needed for a complete rebuild using Helix friction pads. Is the author of FTW, on our forum? Would enjoy his list getting an update too once available. Very excited, thought this transmission was going the way of other extinct parts. You would figure the platform only ended in 2019... and with as many enthusiasts we have a great market for years to come. Thanks again.

Sent from my SM-T860 using Tapatalk

For FTW I think you might mean me? If so, yup, I'm here. @802SHO is awesome for having gotten this product to market. And I have been updating my transmission blog post with the info he's provided:

13 Ways You Can Improve the 6F55 [Study]

Introduction The 6F55 that is found in many late-model Ford and Lincoln vehicles has traditionally been the bottleneck to potentially greater power output on any of the transverse 3.5L EcoBoost platforms. There has never been much aftermarket support for it (if any at all). But how much power...

www.fortheworkshop.com

 

[kryptto]

For FTW I think you might mean me? If so, yup, I'm here. @802SHO is awesome for having gotten this product to market. And I have been updating my transmission blog post with the info he's provided:

13 Ways You Can Improve the 6F55 [Study]

Introduction The 6F55 that is found in many late-model Ford and Lincoln vehicles has traditionally been the bottleneck to potentially greater power output on any of the transverse 3.5L EcoBoost platforms. There has never been much aftermarket support for it (if any at all). But how much power...

www.fortheworkshop.com

There you are, those rims ... ha love the blog, best have read, truly. Much appreciate your work.

Sent from my SM-T860 using Tapatalk

 

[802SHO]

 

[Mahu24]

Robert Lushey, Engineering and Operations manager at Helix AutoSport (UK) (they manufacture clutches and flywheels) has taken on the task of engineering clutches for our Ford 6F55 transmission to increase torque capacity anywhere from 60-80% with a mixture of copper/Kevlar material. I’m sending Robert my drum with the clutch packs from my record setting 6F55 trans with 76k, that I’ve been saving for something special…..I think Helix is it.
View attachment 86357
Once Robert is able to break down what materials are currently used he can then let me know how Helix will be able to upgrade them and what they’ll be doing. He mentioned doing extra clutches and doing a billet drum to make aggressive friction clutches more streetable.

I’m excited to find out what they can do. A link to check out their website. https://helixautosport.com/products/ They’re also on FB and IG. Nobody here in America has stepped up so…..the search doesn’t stop, it broadens. A forum member (don’t remember his forum name) but his first name Marinus linked me up with Robert @Helix_AutoSport. Marinus searched high and low everywhere. He’s the guy talking about getting clutches made out of the Ukraine, but the Ukraine is in need of Kevlar at the moment. I’ll update with his forum name when he tells me. Great find @Mahu24!

Not sure how I missed the notification of your post. Glad I could find someone to take this on, you and Rob. Things are looking up!