How do u make a BTR trans stronger?

blueoval · 12-02-2010, 01:10 PM

There will come a time where my trans will need upgrading or rebuilding.

Does anyone know if these transmissions can be strengthened, or rebuilt to handle more power, OR if it would be better just to ditch them for something that came out of a different car. i.e. XR8, turbo trans or whatever.

Stattic · 12-02-2010, 01:14 PM

haha... ask stav this question

blueoval · 12-02-2010, 01:20 PM

LOL. I knew his name would get mentioned... :P

illusivedreams · 12-02-2010, 03:29 PM

MGA Automatics Ask for George an absolutely magic bloke comes highly recommended.
Just re built my BTR and a Tranny cooler drives like the day Ford made it.
HAs been in business for over 30 years.

02 9790 31 33

59 Hoskins ave Bankstown,

over and Out Vadim

The Monty · 12-02-2010, 04:01 PM

Stavs only good at breaking them, not getting them built.

There are places that do them properly, not just a slap together "built" job.
They can go up to about $3500 in price though.

Riksta · 12-02-2010, 04:11 PM

With your car Shav, you should just bite the bullet and try do a full ZF conversion ;)

If that's even possible to fit a ZF into an AU.

blueoval · 12-02-2010, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Monty

Stavs only good at breaking them, not getting them built.

There are places that do them properly, not just a slap together "built" job.
They can go up to about $3500 in price though.

For that price, Id go a T56 conversion and wouldnt waste my time on an auto

The Monty · 12-02-2010, 05:19 PM

Maybe a C4 instead if you wanted to stick with the auto?

blueoval · 12-02-2010, 05:41 PM

only if it was an AOD C4.

Are the V8 BTR's stronger than the 6's?

FPV+fteT3 · 12-02-2010, 06:12 PM

The BTR's in the TE3's were modified and strengthened by tickford for the 250kw motor if you dont need one yet keep a look out for a wrecked T3 or P250 ute they come up occasionally and not near 3.5k. Not too much trouble with them in the t cars so you should be right.

blueoval · 12-02-2010, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FPV+fteT3

The BTR's in the TE3's were modified and strengthened by tickford for the 250kw motor if you dont need one yet keep a look out for a wrecked T3 or P250 ute they come up occasionally and not near 3.5k. Not too much trouble with them in the t cars so you should be right.

Thanks mate, will be on the prowl for one eventually.

**Stav** · 12-02-2010, 06:47 PM

Well my new box is clunking again so not the guy to ask... Despite what people say no the ford 4 speed is a lost cause as far as I understand. 1st gear engages the use of the sprag only and this results in more failures because the other clutches are not engaged behind it to give it strength..This is my 5th gearbox now and can honestly say that its been babied yet this is clunking tooo..If this goes then I may get something better. I had kvlar bands..super clutches and it didnt make a difference to the strength for me it lasted less than a second hand box...

Ride · 12-02-2010, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FPV+fteT3

The BTR's in the TE3's were modified and strengthened by tickford for the 250kw motor if you dont need one yet keep a look out for a wrecked T3 or P250 ute they come up occasionally and not near 3.5k. Not too much trouble with them in the t cars so you should be right.

Going to have to side with Stav on this one, although I own one of said gearboxes whatever work was done to them wasn't needed for the power of the stroker, there's plenty of AUIII XR8 220kw's that are making the same power at the rear wheels as stock T3's.

I would like to see what the limits of the T3 boxes are, someone correct me if I'm wrong but there was a slight change to the S5 solenoid which firmed up the shifts and also another adjustment to another solenoid for it to hold gears when using the ESS, but apart from that they remained the same as any other BTR 4SPD you would find in an XR8.

FPV+fteT3 · 12-02-2010, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ride

Going to have to side with Stav on this one, although I own one of said gearboxes whatever work was done to them wasn't needed for the power of the stroker, there's plenty of AUIII XR8 220kw's that are making the same power at the rear wheels as stock T3's.

I would like to see what the limits of the T3 boxes are, someone correct me if I'm wrong but there was a slight change to the S5 solenoid which firmed up the shifts and also another adjustment to another solenoid for it to hold gears when using the ESS, but apart from that they remained the same as any other BTR 4SPD you would find in an XR8.

The BTR box was used on the BAGT290 with 500+nm and the first T6's and a few blew up as they do, however they were used till the BF 6 spd was bought out.

Maybe Tickford did something different to prodrive FPV? as when you ask about reliability in the Tseries autos not too many reported as failed.

You are correct about valving mods or adjustments to firm up and hold gears this was needed for ESS to work effectively (flappy paddles) also IIRC a cut out was used to save the box too much distress during flat out changes and Im sure I read somewhere about bearings either wider or doubled on shafts or that could be the onset of oldtimers

Hows that sweet T3 fairmont with all the best T series options going?

Windsor220 · 12-02-2010, 10:47 PM

Before the ZF came out, there were a few heavily modded XR6Ts running the BTR box. I remember reading somewhere that 4th gear wasnt that strong so one of the tuning companies was using it as a 3 spd.

RG · 12-02-2010, 10:52 PM

Nothing wrong with the BTR, mine lived behind the 347 for a long time and I never had a problem with it.

It all comes down to how it's driven and if built, if the bloke that did it actually had a clue.

Cam · 12-02-2010, 11:17 PM

I agree with RG, there can be good and bad.. My box has lived through a lot of abuse behind my stroker, with plenty of abuse! But in Stavs case he has managed to kill several boxes with a lot less power. Just like RG's block ended up in 2 piences whereas mine and others have held together! If your playing with stock parts (be it bottom ends, gearboxes, diffs etc) then things are going to break on occasion!

I think if your going to wind up the S5 solenoid and make it shift realllllly hard on a stock box, then yes, things are more likely to break..

But to the OP's question, better clutches, and kevlar bands will lengthen the life of the box, as long as it is built properly. I did have the specs of the minginator gearbox somewhere, now there's a built BTR!

Ride · 12-02-2010, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FPV+fteT3

Hows that sweet T3 fairmont with all the best T series options going?

Still strong, replaced rear tyres and fronts are going on soon (went with some sticky Toyo's) then when I save a bit more I'll have a twin 2.5" put on, the single 2.5" pipe on there now is really holding it back. After that a tune should be the go, maybe a cam later down the track with 4 > 1's

blueoval · 13-02-2010, 01:18 AM

Thanks lads. I guess its a matter of trial and error. I dont pull burnouts, but i do like to hold the gears till redline and also manually change down down gears in the hills. I know that driving style isnt the best for the box. I have an adjustable shift kit fitted as well as a hd trans cooler. I just want a box thats going to take regular manual shift and hard acceleration i give.

ebxr82nv · 13-02-2010, 04:03 PM

ring mv automatics. Theyre fairly local to you I think. 600hp box for less than 3k I believe. dont forget anything that comes out of a v8 will need the input shaft changed

blueoval · 15-02-2010, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebxr82nv

ring mv automatics. Theyre fairly local to you I think. 600hp box for less than 3k I believe. dont forget anything that comes out of a v8 will need the input shaft changed

Thanks dude, yeah they are about 20mins away from my place. Is that price for a 6cyl BTR or a V8 version?

ebxr82nv · 15-02-2010, 11:04 AM

That was the price that I got for a v8 box I got but there probly no different

Sox · 15-02-2010, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by illusivedreams

MGA Automatics Ask for George an absolutely magic bloke comes highly recommended.
Just re built my BTR and a Tranny cooler drives like the day Ford made it.
HAs been in business for over 30 years.

02 9790 31 33

59 Hoskins ave Bankstown,

over and Out Vadim

That's actually not a real good advertisement, as they feel terrible from Ford.

Good aftermarket ones are typically quite a bit better than what Ford come up with.