Auto build shopping list

[stradlater]

G'day guys,

This one goes out to all the auto experts out there.

I'm going to get my auto built and need all the associated bits to boot. I have spoken to the MV automatics bloke, and he told me what I needed, but I want both a second opinion, and a laymans speak version.

Background: I currently have a w58 behind a 1g-gte in an ra23.

I currently also have a a340e with bell housing in the shed.

What I think I need:

A) Rebuilt a340e (would like to know some specs on what this should really be)

B) appropriate torque converter and flex plate (probably 4500rpm)

C) Shifter (B&M or something out of an appropriate auto car, supra shifter or something?)

D) Auto Control box (the MV automatics box or something else?)

E) Torque converter lockup solenoid?

Is this all I'll need to put the auto in and get it working or is there some other things I"ll need?

Also, on the above points, what are the best/most cost effective yet still workable options for each? (C&D most specifically)

Thanks guys.

[timbosaurus]

Hi Strad,

What is your intention for this box? Is it being put in for strip duties only? or are you goig to leave it in all the time and ditch the manual all together?

Just working out whether it will be a compromise box or not?

I noticed you want an "auto control box". Do you want to have the ability to switch the box back to full auto for tootling round the city? or is this a dedicated drag box that will only be manually shifted?

Unfortunately I don't have much experience on what ppl do to auto's for drags... i only deal with OEM designs

[stradlater]

Timbo: I've been told that you need an electronic control box for the A340E, which is what I've listed. It's not for full auto mode, it's just to control overdrive, or some bloody thing. See I don't know, that's why I ask the question. Hehe.

The intention is for the box to stay in permanently. I do not need it to be full auto mode, it's a strip use only box, the car isn't a street driven car (usually anyway).

So, full drag auto, ditch manual, in short. :-)

[stradlater]

Come on guys, Chris D, Shinny? MS-75? Anyone?

[chris davey]

Just found the thread

1. As you have already spoken to Mike I would go with what he says. Usually does extra clutch packs, increased lockup clutch and I think changed 2nd gear sprag in Shane's car.

2. Yep. Work out where you make 5psi at and aim for that. Ask Mike but I don't think he actually does the converters just out sources them. TCE are apparently one of the best around. I would say that a 4500rpm converter is not going to be able to fit the lockup in it but as it isn't reguarly street driven probably wouldn't matter. TCE quoted me about $1000 for a 4000rpm converter.

3. Can use stock shifter. I don't know how you hook up a B&M but I seem to remember shane saying you need to use some cabling.

4. Yep, $195 mine was. Can get other things but they are more expensive and probably not needed on a mostly drag car.

5. depends on the converter you get. The solenoid is already in the box. You just have to wire it up to a 12v switch to activate it.

I don't know about you but I think the $3500 350rwkw KEAS jatco package with bellhousing, flex plate and converter looks like a pretty good option. Plus it is all mechanical so no electrical gremlins If/when I stuff my a3041LE I will probably end up selling my converter and going to a KEAS package.

[stradlater]

Will the KEAS package fit my engine though? Wasn't that the question?

[chris davey]

I thought 6boost said they made it specifically for the 1g and also jamie forcefedperformance is getting one for his z10 at the moment.

[cri_ag]

what about a trans brake? trans cooler?

actualy on selecting convertors, a good friend of mine has a gemini with a fj20, auto, transbrake, etc and the thing sometimes has problems getting revs up whilst the trans brake is engaged, does this mean he needs a bigger convertor? (sorry for the slight hi-jack!)

[sideshow]

hey chris is the price of the mv auto shit unit 195 bucks?

has anyone actually wired one up and got it to work the very first go

these units pissed me off and wasted too much time and lost money so i just made my own simplier unit

[stradlater]

Hence why I'm asking you about one of your units sideshow. :-)

[sideshow]

price on mine depends how much wiring you want to do

if you know abit about how the inhibitor works then they can be cheap

if you want it to plug into your gbox with only power wires to be connected thenits dearer

but just remember whatever gear selected when you turn car on and try to take off in it will be in that gear

my unit and the mv unit gets overdrive by turning the whole unit off

so if you turn the unit off to get o/d and forgrt to turn unit back on later on then it will stil be in o/d

so aslong as u drive it like a manual then your ok

so as you come to a stop you click down the gears using the gearshift

i sometimes forget when i switch mine to tiptronic and i stop at set of lights and goto take off i then have to quickly click buttons to go down gears cause i forgot
but u eventually get used to it

[mrshin]

If you want to shift the box electrically but with the shifter, I can show you how it's done easily enough when you're ready for it. Get MV to sort out your box/converter, but don't bother with their little black box. Also, if you're interested, I'll be doing the same thing to my car within the next week or two, and you're welcome to take a look.

[Joshstix]

If it's going to be a strip only box I'd dump the A340.

Go for a tried and true solution that can run a trans brake. I'd look at a built trimatic if I were in your shoes. I'm sure it can't be that difficult to cut and shut the bellhousings together.

[stradlater]

a built traumatic you say?

Why so? are they cheaper or better built or bigger or something?

Shin: I'll probably have a look at your setup. Have you rebuilt the a340e?

[30psi 4agte]

Im with josh.
Unfortunately my auto expertice is limited but i would go the trimatic or turbo 400 . They can handle the punishment no prob.

it may be worth running the idea past the blokes at MV to see what they have to say.
IE is the trans worth the head f#$k of mating it to the engine ???

In an all out drag car i would say yes. But like i said my auto knowledge is only what i have read and not based on experience.

[Joshstix]

The benefits I see are:

1. They're a tried and true solution that can be built by any number of quality auto workshops
2. The parts are cheap
3. They're lite
4. They're fully hydraulic so you don't need any shift box related electronics
5. You can get a trans brake for it which in a situation with a small capacity engine and large turbo on the drag strip is exactly what you want from an auto

I guess there is a bunch of other auto's, C4 and TH350 etc, that you could use but the trimatic is a fair bit lighter and has been proven to work well.

[stradlater]

What about tailshaft output?

And do they just chop and change the bell housing?

[Joshstix]

Get a flange that works with the gearbox, you'll most likely need a new tailshaft anyway.

I've seen plenty of bellhousings that have been simply cut and shut where they just weld it together.

[stradlater]

and these things hold?

[mrshin]

Mine hasn't been rebuilt yet, I'll be doing that in a few months when I do the engine. For now I'm putting it in close to stock, but I'll still wire it up as I intend to use it.