Been Busy with my 69

I've not done much with the GT500 for the last couple of months.   Been tied up with upgrades for my 69 Mach 1.    Transmission upgrade and I also installed a Classic Auto Air A/C unit.  A/C pics in another thread.

Upgraded the FMX 3 speed auto to a 4R70W computer controller 4 speed auto with lockup converter.   I love it.  Makes the car so much more fun to drive.   I can drive on the highway at normally speeds without buzzing the engine.  75 mph it's turning 2K rpms.  It used to run 2800 at 65.

I started with a 4R70W from a 2002 V6 Mustang.  The 3.8 V6 uses the same bellhousing bolt pattern as a sbf.   It fit behind my 351C like a glove.  Plenty of header clearance.  I went with the 4R over an AOD as it's stronger in stock form by far.  With nothing but a hi po rebuild kit and it's good for over 500 hp.   No tv/kickdown cable to mess with.  It also is a wide ratio trans with a 2.84 first gear vs a 2.48 for an AOD.  I t makes my 3.25 rear act like a 3.73 in low.   It needs a stand alone computer to operate.  It controls shift points, line pressure, downshifts, converter lockup.  I chose the Quick 4 from US Shift.  Amazing little box.  I can control everything.  Even has up to 4 shift tables available.  I can even switch between then on the fly with a push of a button.  

Started with an 02 4R70W.  96-04, with 01-02 preferred/  98 up has a mechanical diode to eliminate 2nd gear breakage.  01 up has valve body changes.  You don't even need a shift kit, just a new Sonnax high pressure regulator and spring.  03-04 is the same mechanically but they eliminated the speedo gear on the output shaft which is an issue for old style speedo cars.   I picked up the trans for Pull-A-Part along with an aluminum driveshaft from a Crown Vic police car.  Had it shortened and rebalanced.  

I bought the Quick 4 controller and matching wiring harness from US Shift.  Mounted it in the console.  I also put a momentary pushbutton in the ash tray to switch shift programs along with a rocker switch to be able to turn OD off.    I had to have a new crossmember as this trans is a little longer.  Got it locally from a guy that sells them online to people all over.  New crossmember, shift linkage to use a stock shifter and a sensor bracket.  To use to stock shifter you have to flip the shift arm on the trans 180°.  At the same time you need to flip the mlps (shift sensor that tells the trans what gear it's in + neutral safety and backup lights)  The bracket relocates the sensor upside down.  I used a reman police car converter.  Higher stall and heavy duty lockup clutch.

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dfree383 wrote:Looks great, what did the total Trans Swap end up costing? I'm thinking that would be the ticket for the street rod I'm thinking about

Wasn't too bad.

140 core trans and driveshaft.
500 rebuild kit, incl new pressure reg
300 rebuild labor.  bench rebuild from a local shop
900 shift computer, wiring harness, wire loom
basics: $1840

extras

225 crossmember, linkage, bracket
160 driveshaft labor shorten, balance, + new u joints
40  new stock trans pan, original was bent and leaked
60 plate type trans cooler
100 braided ptfe ss cooler lines and fittings.
125 reman converter

Total $2550.  I figured it it about 250-300 more than doing an AOD because to build an AOD to the same level (500 hp capable)  would require a more $$ rebuild kit, new valve body, aftermarket input shaft, tv cable and linkage.   That stuff sorta balances out the money spent on the shift computer and wiring harness.

I didn't add a cost for a flexplate as I was able to reuse my FMX unit and blockplate. You will need a 164 tooth flexplate for a FMX, AOD or large bell C4. sbf C-6 will not work. diameter is correct, but offset wrong.

Dad and i did the same swap in his 67 Cougar.  Used the MSD trans controller though.  Any good pics of what you used for the TPS? Or is that it mounted on the side of the choke can? If so, I'll have to upgrade dad's car to that style. Looks cleaner than the cable/remote mounted TPS that MSD uses.

jbozzelle wrote:Dad and i did the same swap in his 67 Cougar.  Used the MSD trans controller though.  Any good pics of what you used for the TPS?  Or is that it mounted on the side of the choke can?  If so, I'll have to upgrade dad's car to that style.  Looks cleaner than the cable/remote mounted TPS that MSD uses.

The TPS is on the side of the carb.   It's made by Holley for electric choke carbs.  I got it from US Shift that sold me the controller.  The also have another one for non-electric choke.







Detailed pics with the instructions:
https://static.summitracing.com/global/images/instructions/hly-534-202.pdf

Thanks! That TPS would clean up some of the clutter from under the hood when I redo the wiring later this year...

Great project David. I'm doin a similar conversion to my '57. Mines an E4OD outta an F-250. Still finalizing some wiring before the first voyage. Hadda remake the TPS bracket cuz I gots the wrong one. Turns out, I already had the recommended drive shaft speed sensor. Just needed more magnets.
Hopefully, mine will work as well as yours !