Transmission help

[jwalthersoccer]

Hey guys I have a few questions I would like to ask. I have a 1999 3.8 auto and I think it would would have so much more potential if it was manual. Fist off what do you guys say about swapping...good or bad, not worth the money? Then would I have to get a 3.8 mustang tranny or could i get a other v6 ford or v8 tranny? And last of all... Is the swap possible without taking it to a mech. Can I do it my self? ^Thanks for the help. I almost bought a Firebird because I want a manual so bad they can be really fun....

[19Delta]

I think any T-5 or T-45 would work, just have to get the right bellhousing.

[sledgehammer]

you could do it yourself. the t-5 should bolt up. you would need to install a clutch pedal (trickiest part), would need harmonic balancer from manual v6. need a new shift boot for stick. and i'm not sure bout the ecu but you may need an ecu from a munual v6 too. it is worth it in my opinion. oh you'll also need to change your flex plate to a flywheel. its a project but you'll learn a lot bout your car. its all do-able.

[jwalthersoccer]

Thx guys I was thinking the project would be to hard for a... umm.. I guess a newb at cars . Are rebuilt transmission good? Or should i get a new one? Thanks for the info guys, it helps alot.

[jwalthersoccer]

Seen this one... thought it could be good. T-5 transmission

[upton7]

i'd go rebuilt or used

[SpectorV]

when you swap a car to a manual you kill its resale value, if you do not care about this then go for it, just fyi.

Also note its going to cost around 3 grand if you do the work yourself on install~ maybe a bit less it all depends if you go used or new on parts.

Your car isnt worth much more than that... so I am not sure I would put that money into it.. also realize that manual mustangs have a lower resale value as it is so technically you could sell yours and buy a manual and pocket some coin.

[sledgehammer]

/\/\/\good point +1

[PureVenom]

On a side note, while a manual is the way to go for the fun of rowing through the gears, your car will wake up a ton if you get a good tune. Just changing the shift points and pressures will really wake your car up compared to the ladi da of the stock shifting. It is a huge difference in feel.

It won't be as much fun as rowing the gears, but, it will feel much better. And a tuner with tunes will only run you about $400 and you can load the tunes yourself in about 60 seconds. Then you'll be all set for any bigger mods down the road that will require tuning updates.

[jwalthersoccer]

I know that my car would drop and that I could get a stick for a few more grand that I would pay for the swap... I really cant get that kinda money right now. I can barely afford to do the swap if I do it. And as for Venom if I decide to not do the switch I will be geting a tuner. It just makes me mad that I get beat by other v6s and 4 bangers that are stick. I feel that if my car was stick too then I would come down to the driving skills and racing abilities. But then again Im only 17 wat do i know. :dunno:

[jwalthersoccer]

Oh ya and on a side note how many post or watever do I have to get to become a member or move up from newbie?

[upton7]

100

[runvsofthisbull]

Yea I have to agree and second Venom on this one. Although it is more fun to own a stick at times there is a down side. For instance sittiing in bumper to bumper traffic is not really that fun with a stick. I eventually will be getting my car tuned with a XCal2 towards the end of this summer. I know gears would be a huge wake up call for my car too, however I spend about 50% of my time on the highway 70-90mph, thus don't think I want to throw 4:10 gears in the rear until it becomes my weekend car. The tune will have to be all she wrote for me for the time being. The 4R70W is a strong transmission that can take some abuse. I'd mod your car elsewhere before swapping a manual transmission in it as its not that big of a difference maybe a few tenths in the quarter, but once its tuned you'll be fine and a human can't shift faster then a computer.

[SaleenFiend]

Another plus about tuning the auto is CONSISTENCY. If you can get a similar launch every time you could maybe win some Brackets at the track. = $$$

[jwalthersoccer]

I really dont know what to do. I would just sell my stang and get a stick but my uncle isnt down with the idea. So i think Ima just not mod it and wait to get a stick gt in the future. Plus my brothers car was stolen out of our driveway last nite which really scares me. Dont want spend money and time then get my car broken into and def dont want it stolen XD.

[SaleenFiend]

Quote: Originally Posted by jwalthersoccer I really dont know what to do. I would just sell my stang and get a stick but my uncle isnt down with the idea. So i think Ima just not mod it and wait to get a stick gt in the future. Plus my brothers car was stolen out of our driveway last nite which really scares me. Dont want spend money and time then get my car broken into and def dont want it stolen XD.

Buy a shift kit, a stall, and a tune - Race from a Dig.

[jwalthersoccer]

Wat kind of shift kit would be the best I got a good amount of money so price isnt really an issue.

[SaleenFiend]

what is a v6 auto tranny#?

[PureVenom]

The same as the GT's, I believe 40R7W or something like that.

EDIT: Here you go 4R70W

[SaleenFiend]

Quote: Originally Posted by PureVenom The same as the GT's, I believe 40R7W or something like that. EDIT: Here you go 4R70W

linky no worky

[PureVenom]

Quote: Originally Posted by SaleenFiend linky no worky

Um...what link? I didn't post a link. lol I just posted the auto trans model number like you asked for.

[SaleenFiend]

Quote: Originally Posted by PureVenom Um...what link? I didn't post a link. lol I just posted the auto trans model number like you asked for.

lol I thought your edit was meant to be a link...

[iamdat]

4r70w's are very good trannys with a few little upgrades. pretty much an aod with more electronic stuff.

[SaleenFiend]

You could also have the same effect from a tune/chip, but

Valve body vs chip...The end result is similar, but the way the end is achieved is radically different.

The shift kit/valve body reworks the fluid passages in the transmission to change the way it shifts mechanically. As a result shifts are harder and transmission temps plummet. (good thing)

The chip simply tells the computer to raise fluid line pressure in the transmission. The more line pressure, the more violent the shifts. Transmission temps rise during gear changes. Alot.
Torque converter stall speed cannot be changed within the computer. What can be altered is the torque converter lockup in 3rd and 4th gears.


I can't shop for shift kits b/c I am at work right now, but just type in google what you want and look around...

[jwalthersoccer]

Would getting a shift kit and a tune be a waste of money or do tunes do other stuff that makes a difference aswell. I talked to my family/friends and they think i should get shift kit, so I get the kit and I am just wondering if a tune would be a waste after I get it. Thanks

[PureVenom]

Getting both would not be a bad idea. With the tune, you can adjust where the transmission shifts. The shift mod will help the tranny shift better and cooler, and then the tuner will move the shift points to where you can better utilized your power band.

[jwalthersoccer]

Aight thx man I thought the same thing just checking. Is Transgo a good shift kit to get..? If u know any better please go ahead.

[PureVenom]

The only shift kit I'm familiar with is the J-Mod kit. It was designed by someone that worked on the trans at ford if I remember right. I've never heard of the one you mention.

Also, if you are looking at doing one or the other, I would do the shift kit now, and then do the tuner later when you add some mods to the car.

[jwalthersoccer]

Thanks ill keep that in mind

[rinfield2004]

Dude!! Keep your automatic! You have SO much potential with the 4R70W. Your trans can withstand up to about 500hp.....stock....in OEM trim. SCT makes a hand held reprogrammer. You can reprogram your shifts, shift pressure, and shift points. Built, God only knows what it can handle. So, with all this said, are you gonna street it or strip it? Cuz, I'm gonna be honest, if you street it, your runs are gonna suck. But if you strip it, dude, you're gonna rape. You don't miss shifts and your shifts are just as quick if not quicker than a manuel. Your call, your car. Just thought I'd drop my 2 cents.

[jwalthersoccer]

Ya but stick shift gives u so much more control of your car. Lol

[rinfield2004]

Maybe so, core issue is...whats your application? Street? or strip? Street, yeah, go with a stick. Strip, might want to look into an automatic.

[jwalthersoccer]

idk I would say street and some strip on the weekend, but mostly street.