Gents,

My '03 FX4 4X4 F150 is waiting for an Eaton M112 swap-- I have all parts plus a built motor. I am just waiting for a chance to do the work, and also need to find a good local expert to help. In meantime, my 4r70W tranny blew at 180K miles. My build will not be a super radical one, I 'll probably wind up at 450 or 500 hp. Is that enough that I need to "build" the transmission when I fix it, or is building it back to stock specs enough?

If I build the transmission, what are the modifications to a 4r70W to make it more reliable or durable with higher power levels? What specific mods are recommended, and what parts by what manufacturers do you guys recommend? Any other mods I should make while I am in there?

Please explain fully and break it down Barney-style: I know little about autos and nothing about automatic transmissions.

Thanks for any help you can give,

k9dr

 

look into a transmission cooler



in use one from an F450 on my Lightning and a super duty cooler on my DD (eaton boosted)

 

You'll want this kit
http://www.oregonperformancetransmission.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=OPTI&Screen=PROD&Category_ Code=AODE&Product_Code=ORE-AODE-RBHP

And a Circle D converter.
https://www.circledspecialties.com/c-53-4r70w.aspx

I use this one. https://www.circledspecialties.com/c-104-high-performance.aspx

 

Hit up Chris Garret @A1 transmission. look him up on facebook.

 

Tarajerame,

The FX4 is already equipped with an OEM transmission fluid cooler in association with the radiator, of course. Are you talking about a bigger one or an aftermarket one? Suggestion? Something like the kind that MadMike used to sell?

Twinskrewd,

Thanks very much for the links to high-performance kit and converter. Very helpful. Can any good transmission technician effectively install the kit when rebuilding my transmission so I can reap the high-performace benefits, or do I need a hot-rod transmission specialist to do it right?

Built54,

I called Garret. Sounds good to me, and the shipping cost to get a new tranny to me and my core back to him is surprisingly low.

Looking at your signature-- That is a cool-*** Supercab blown F150. I hope to build my '03 Supercab FX4 (I love the body style and cab) into something a lot like it. My parts pile includes C&L intake parts to go with the M112, LFP Throttle Body, 2600 MAF, Volant air cleaner box, LFP heat exchanger, etc.....Oh yeah, and a built 5.4 motor with Trickflow heads sitting in the corner waiting for me to destroy the original OEM engine in the truck now.

Ironically, it turns out my tranny is not blown. The weird, stumbling behavior on acceleration was due to a bad COP on cylinder #1 (which is pretty much what I originally thought when I felt it, but my shadetree mechanic is evidently rubbish, and diagnosed it as a transmission problem). But I'll need a built transmission at some point, especially if I go for bigger pulley, porting, and crazy hp.

And then there is the Tgar adapter plate and the M122 in the parts pile, too. Things could get crazy. But I'll start mild, and then see how sick it gets.

k9dr

 

yes, an upgrade over the joke of a trans cooler that your truck has stock


bgracing https://www.facebook.com/pages/BG-Ra...27571624118536 has the best pricing I've found on a plug-n-play setup

 

I looked up BG Racing website (I don't really "do" Facebook) and did not find a kit for tranny cooler, but I'll give them a call....

Tarajerame, know anybody who could make up a kit like Mike's? What was the OEM cooler that Mike used with his kit?

http://www.lightningrodder.com/forum...t=transmission

Also, if the space behind my HX (a big LFP) is used up by fans, and the space in front of radiator is used up by a Mad-style transmission cooler kit, then where the heck could I fit an engine oil cooler? Do you just mount it up under the truck someplace in the coolest and openest area you can find and equip it with fans?

k9dr

 

this kit is the replacement for the one Mike (rip) was offering, call and talk to Brad and tell him what you are looking for and he'll hook you up (he's an enthusiast and all about his customers)





if it were my truck, I'd run the Lightning or terminator cobra style oil cooler, or if you are dead set on an external one, mount it between the radiator and the condensor (there's plenty of room and the fan will keep air flowing thru it

 

OK, I will talk to Brad. I am all about a "plug and play" kit. Got no skills.

In my parts pile I have a L-style oil cooler that works with the radiator hose "spider" but it is a beaten-up part and just doesn't strike me as very "sano" if you know what I mean. And I think it complicates motor mounts somehow (I have the L mounts, too, I think).

This is the Cobra unit you're referring to?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/mustang-cobra-04-03-supercharger-ford-racing-oil-cooler-housing-filter-adapter-/331476652804?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4d2d8c5304&vxp=mtr
This seems like a cleaner installation and if you think it is equally efficient maybe I'll sneak onto Cobra forums and starting hunting for one. I'll talk to Brad about it, too.

Thank you very much!

Stewart/k9dr