transmissions

[dugdog99]

i know a lot of people have had problems with them, and have gotten them rebuilt and improved. what's everyone's opinion on what should be done with them? should i wait until my tranny goes out, then get it rebuilt, or should i do something before it goes out? i've got almost 50k on my car and i feel the tranny slowly going.

 

[SHOZ123]

Save up your money and when you get enough get the tranny AND the TC rebuilt. A chip too will go a long way at this time.

Get an extra clutch and steel installed in the 1,2,3 gears and a TransGo kit. An Apten or Fordchip too.

Total cost around $3000-3500.

 

[SHO#7]

I have not tried the "extra clutch" in any AX4N rebuild, but in my rebuild. I replaced all the soft parts; clutches, gaskets, seals, sealing rings, o-rings, bushings, and filter. There is a Sonnex update for the 1-2 bump problem that some will experience, it's called a boost valve. I also replaced all solenoids, including the EPC ( Electronic pressure control ) and adjusted the pressure up just the slightest bit to make a nice firm shift on hard acceleration. And I used ( my rebuilder used wink ) the Trans-Go correctional shift kit, with some of his own modifications. We also remanufactured the Torque Converter, Replaced the forward drum that the OD band rides on,and ran an external cooler. And it shifts killer. Like my plates read. It is 1HOTSHO thumb

 

[SHO#7]

I have not tried the "extra clutch" in any AX4N rebuild, but in my rebuild. I replaced all the soft parts; clutches, gaskets, seals, sealing rings, o-rings, bushings, and filter. There is a Sonnex update for the 1-2 bump problem that some will experience, it's called a boost valve. I also replaced all solenoids, including the EPC ( Electronic pressure control ) and adjusted the pressure up just the slightest bit to make a nice firm shift on hard acceleration. And I used ( my rebuilder used wink ) the Trans-Go correctional shift kit, with some of his own modifications. We also remanufactured the Torque Converter, Replaced the forward drum that the OD band rides on,and ran an external cooler. And it shifts killer. Like my plates read. It is 1HOTSHO thumb

 

[Ian Macoomb]

How much would you charge someone for this rebuild?

 

[SHO#7]

Ian Macoomb:
How much would you charge someone for this rebuild?

First, let me say that I am not on here to advertise. I am just a SHO owner and lover. But with that in mind, for my rebuild, if I were a customer it would have been around 2200-2700. There is a wide range because of the possibility of hard part damage. The metal gears,drums,planets,etc... are the expensive parts. I would be honored to work on another SHO lovers vehicle. We take great pride in our work. I love what it did for my car. And thanks for the interest. Hope you never need my services.

 

[SHODWN]

Mike the boost valve is the correct size in the SHO .427 the one you receiced in the kit was the same part..

 

[SHO#7]

SHODWN:
Mike the boost valve is the correct size in the SHO .427 the one you receiced in the kit was the same part..

To be honest, that info is over my head. Both of my rebuilders have over 25 years each in experience. I trust what they tell me. As I trust what you say. After all you are the know all SHO guy. If you would though... Explain the extra clutch theory to me. I would assume it just makes the shift apply firmer, because of less space inside the drum for the clutches to have to move before they apply and grab? Have you ever tried turning up the EPC pressure? We do that on alot of Ford applications. It makes the shift so much nicer. As it says in my signature, I am a transmission shop manager. Not a rebuilder. I have built a TH350, and that took me a while. As it was just for fun. To see if I could. I was just offering my advice. I did not want to start a battle. I do not have the know how to get too technical with you. But I do know that I love my SHO, and it shifts killer now. It is 110% better than it was before. And if you have interest in getting a catalog from Sonnax let me know and I will send it to you. If you already have one, then disreguard that.

 

[Tunez]

Dug, there is a guy in Charlotte who did my rebuild when it had to be done. He installed the shift kit and everything and charged me $1800. After making MANY calls in the area, he was the ONLY one I felt confident with and he came VERY highly recommended by many people.

 

[Slo-Sho]

Is it possible to raise the EPC on an otherwise stock ATX w/o adverse side effects?

 

[SHO#7]

Slo-Sho:
Is it possible to raise the EPC on an otherwise stock ATX w/o adverse side effects?

As long as the transmission has been well cared for, and there are NO issues. I would say that it is safe and possible. However on a higher mileage ATX, I would think that increasing the pressure this late in the game could promote for an earlier failure. If someone came into my shop to have it done on an otherwise stock unit, I would pass. Mostly because of the liability that I would have, if it cooks their trans. I would be more than happy to do it, after a rebuild, because that way I know whats up inside the unit. So back to the question... I would if it were mine. But not a customers. Hope that answers the question.

 

[SHODWN]

Honestly I dont think that anyone actually did that, adding extra clutches. Im not a tranny rebuilder but the little I do know and the awesome info I get from my guy suggests that it cant be done eaisly and is not nesscarry. Use Black Kolenes and Kevlar clutches, transgo and a few other small things and you surely will never have enough hp to hurt it.

Ive got 4 track days plus 7k on my new trans, plus 4 bottles of the cold stuff through it with no problems at all, I do have however another convertor going south slowly but that will be resolved in the next few weeks. Like the extra money I put into the trans, I went there yesterday and told him "whatever it costs" I dont really care.

Also if you look up in your hard parts book you will find a support bearing for the passanger side of the trans axle, add that for sure because it will save the diff on track and drag days when you launch a bit harder than normal.

 

[SHO#7]

I don't race mine, in fact I hardly even drive it. But do you mean the ( Driven sprocket support to direct clutch housing -2.450" x 1.734" ) If so, thanks for the tip, I'll talk with my rebuilders. If you use Acematic Recon or ATC it is part # 2621A . I have little miles on my rebuild. I did it just because. There were no problems. The woman who owned it before me had a Ford unit installed about 15k before I bought it. Glad to hear good things about the convention. Maybe if it gets a little closer to me again, I will be able to go. I see no California trips in my future with the car. I don't even drive it around the block more than once every other week. But when I drive it... I drive it.

 

[SHOZ123]

I have an extra clutch and steel in the 1st, 2nd & 3rd clutch packs. No modifications needed just the addition of the parts. It will quicken the shifts due to the travel being shortened and also give more area to carry the load. As long as the tranny is open it is a fairly cheap and easy thing to do.

 

[SHODWN]

Paul, I hate to say this but unless you seen this with your own eyes you got duped.. It takes MAJOR modfication to add them and with better than factory hard parts its not nesscary.

This info is from 4 sources:
2 of which I did not beleive and needed to dig deeper
1 was my own guy
1 was Mr Ryback himself the designer of the ax4n

 

[SHOZ123]

No I did not get duped. My tranny was torn down and rebuilt by a Ford transmission expert. One who has worked for Ford in the ATX division for 20 years.

Apparently the GEN 3 tranny must be different as this is what ****** from Atlanta does too, originally my tranny had the extra clutches installed down there. No machining is needed.

<small>[ July 24, 2003, 10:43 AM: Message edited by: SHOZ123 ]</small>

 

[SHODWN]

******! laughing stop it

Ill tell you how they do it, and Ill tell you that MR ****** dont do it either, he did in the axod but not the 4n. There is only one way to add extra clutches in this trans, yes it does need machine type work. To add extra clutches you have to remove something, take a guess what it is.

" Ford transmission specialist" isnt that an oxymoron? Im not in any way discrediting your guy, but I highly doubt you have an extra clutch in there.

I threw in a dig for you while in Wisconsin

 

[SHOZ123]

Whereas it is true I have not physically seen the clutches I did pay someone $400 to disassemble my tranny to see exactly what ****** did. I do not think they would lie to me as there is nothing to gain from this for them. I only wanted to see just what was done.

I do have the parts were removed and replaced out in the garage. If you know the count on the clutches I can go out and see hom many I have that were replaced.

 

[SHO#7]

SHOZ123:
Whereas it is true I have not physically seen the clutches I did pay someone $400 to disassemble my tranny to see exactly what ****** did. I do not think they would lie to me as there is nothing to gain from this for them. I only wanted to see just what was done.

I do have the parts were removed and replaced out in the garage. If you know the count on the clutches I can go out and see hom many I have that were replaced.

According to my book... Forward clutch count is 3, Direct clutch count is 4, Intermediate clutch count is 4, Reverse clutch count is 4, and Low intermediat clutch count is 5. I am going by the picture alone. As when I look up specific clutches it refers me to the master overhaul kit. Which includes all clutches. Go figure, dumb book headbang . Hope this helps.

 

[SHOWHAT9]

SHODWN:
******! laughing stop it

A truley appropriate CAGO description, dontcha think?? Of course, other than that, I have no opinion.. lol