Does anyone know if a conversion for the F-body is being looked at in the aftermarket area?



BT

 

The only way I would see to do would be a complete engine and transmission swap. The engine and trans are at all times swapping data. Besides the tranny's computer is completely adapted for the weight and characteristics of that car. No one can reprogram it yet either.

 

IMO a 6 speed auto isn't really necessary with a good converter, which pretty much makes up for most gearing deficiencies...

If you think about it, what you are getting is a closer geared transmission. Well, you are essentially doing the same thing with a high shift extension. I don't see much advantage to the swap, and it doesn't sound like an easy one either.

My .02

 

Plus it weighs 206 pounds dry.

Sure you now have a gear advantage but no way to remove all the next generation torque management. Knowing the trends it probably isn't built as well as it is claimed to be.

 

Plus, it takes time to shift, especially with Torque Management.

 

I was thinking more about using the 6 speed for a street/strip car so I wouldn't have a crazy stall just for driving around town while still getting good mpg using a 2:73 ( rear gear ) and still have good acceleratioin over 100 mph as I am using all of second gear to go the 1320 now.

I am on my 3rd tans (4l60-e) trans in under 45K miles. ( baby miles btw )

I was wondering if the new 6 auto would be beefier than the 4l60-e?


I've read in some Vette forums on the new C6 using the 6 speed auto is in the mid 12's with a 2:56 rear gear ratio!
It's still in third gear when it crosses the 1320.

May I have the 6 speed auto conversion now for my 2:73's please.

 

Well, from what I have heard the 6 speed uses a completely different converter so you probably aren't going to have a lot of choices on aftermarket high stall converters.

I don't know if anyone is going to try this trans in a F body. I would love to drive it and see how it feels.

 

If the electronics is run separately, like older swaps of the 4L80E were with a controller box, then there is no issue with Torque Management. TM is a interrelated group of things, the PCM see's the airflow etc and using its alogirythms (?sp) says to reduce torque, its not in the transmission solely, more so the programming in your PCM. !TM in your PCM and using a controller box you will not have any issues.
I would be happy at this point with a 4L80E swap, or if it proves to hold the 5L80E or whatever the 5spd is called. My TH350 is eating up some mileage, plus the additional wear from always being at 3,000+rpms....

Charlie

 

Oh yea! I remember seeing those controller boxes.

What I have heard is that the tranny and engine computer are now both full 32 bit computers. Wow, we have came a long way. The tranny is now an active element in the car...what decides the gear, TM, how to bleed off the 5 variable valves. The engine and tranny are always transmitting data back and forth.

I am not saying it is impossible. I am just saying I am HOPING aftermarket will pursue this because it is going to take hardcore programming. Not a simple control system.

You could make an aftermarket replacement but it isn't going to be as simple of a solution as the previous generation. You are going to need something more capable than a pic chip or basic stamp.

 

a 6l80 sure would be fun tho

 

I'd take mine like I want the 4L80E, Reverse Manual Valvebody Please! No electronics except the speedo VSS Signal. Same way I have my 350 now. Why get all the electronics, shoots, its the OD gears I want and ability to take the juice.

 

Exactly my thoughts and the exact same route I am going. 4L80 non E.

Brandon

 

The advantage is you can keep the engine in the powerband like a stall converter will do, without all the slippage associated with a loose converter. Meaning higher trap speeds, better driveability, higher top speed, and much better fuel economy.

I think it would be an awesome swap, it would have the performance and economy of a 6-speed manual on the street, while still having the speed of a built auto on the strip

 

it would be kinda kool to have 4.56 in an automatic and still be able to have dd and streetability

 

i wonder if you could pull the wheels in 1st and keep them up there through second

 

I doubt the tranny will keep your RPM's as high as a high stall converter after an upshift with the shift extensions they give. And i'd bet that after another 1-2 shifts to get down the strip with that killer TM you'd negate a good portion of the gear advantage.

Driveability sure, top speed sure (but who does that?), and better fuel economy I won't argue though. Although I love the way my SS3600 / Level 4 4L60E drives (vacuum mod, modified Trans-Go HD2).

 

That was well said.

Maybe when gas is $5 a gallon more people will look into this conversion?

Not only for the mpg increase but for the performance factor also.
Hopefully TM and the 32 bit problem can be adjusted for.

I have read some other really crazy stuff ( specs ) on this trans, maybe I should check the Caddy forums more often...

I'm pretty tired of feeding the GM budget on the 4l60-e trans rebuilds.

I read that Ford and GM both created the 6 speed auto together for use in their cars.

Hum... I'm sure the econo powers that be had nothing to do with the new transmission being created.

 

When gas is 5 a gallon maybe. That is a good point. Its just such a heavy trans. I know for sure we aren't going the 95% of all cars are manual transmissions route like Europe. Maybe the 6 speed auto has a future.

I think the moral of the story is that digital electronic systems are REALLY easy to design + cheaper but a pain in the *** to modify. And good old analog mechanical systems are very hard to design but easy to troubleshoot and modify. Plus good old mechanical systems are more reliable.

 

You might be surprised to hear this then, but my mileage didn't drop with the install of my converter...

Still averaged 17 through the last tank, same as ever.

 

BlackHawk,


What rear gear are you running?
Also, what's your ET and MPH in the 1/4?


17 mpg, is that an average or is that light driving with your mods?
What percent hwy and city?



Thanks.



BT