Steve Burger

iTrader: (33)

I swapped out the M6 for a TH350. I went through 4 SPEC clutches in one year and got tired of pulling the trans and pushing a broken car around at the track.

Jay Billingsly hooked me up with his trans guy. Bob Alexander at Performance Transmission (217-935-5352) to build an A3. After a lot of discussion we decided on the 350 for a lot of reasons. The best being efficiency. Bob built a killer 350 with an aluminum drum, 26 element sprag, RMVB, T Brake, and floaters between the 2-3 clutch disks. Probably forgetting some of the parts. He did build this to handle over 1000 HP. He does a lot of work for the NMRA crowd as well as Billingsly.

The converter is a custom built unit with a 4500 stall. Speed inc did the tuning and said the converter is very efficient.

We used the Lokar 36" dipstick tube and a TCI SFI flexplate. With a 9" tailshft the Strange DS from my M6 workes fine.

The tailshaft is a work of art. Bob built a jig to mount all of the VSS stuff in the 350 tailshaft. I did need some PCM work for the speedo to be right again. It was fun for a few days to see the needle pegged in the neighborhood.

I took it yesterday to Cordova for a few runs. I swapped to a 28" tire with this swap. The fit at the rear of the wheel well is tight to say the least. I had some rubbing problems. This is why I did not beat the car too hard.

1st pass of the trailer as a 11.51 @ 118+ with an off idle launch.

2nd pass was a 11.41 @ 119+ with a 1500 rpm footbrake stall. The tires did come up about 6" or so I was told by a lot of people.

3rd pass was another 11.43 with some poor driving. I need to learn to drive again. Still looking for the clutch pedal.

I called it a day after that and seeing what the tires were doing to the bumper cover.

Not a bad day. I dropped .2 off my best, drove the car on the trailer after racing (no small feat this year) and came home.

Once I get the tires to fit, learn to drive again, and use the T Brake, I can see a very low 11 or high 10 in

BADSZ28

iTrader: (39)

Great! What were your 60' times? What cross member did you use?

Steve Burger

iTrader: (33)

60' sucked most of the day. They were in the 1.6x range. I am not doing this setup justice launching off idle. Gotta get the tires to clear and then wack it.

Cross member is BMR

Bryan @ Speed Inc.

iTrader: (19)

congrats man. i have a much tighter converter... in the mid to high 3k range and cut low 1.5's off idle... with similar raceweight. (i love torque). how do you like driving the rmvb??? i have a 400 trans w/ it... it's just as much fun as the 6spd to me.

bspz28

iTrader: (1)

Congrats on the new best and with the swap. I also did the T-56 to TH350 swap this summer and ran a little quicker in the heat. Best before the swap was a 10.73@ 128 on a +200 DA day and after the swap I ran a 10.60@ 127 on a +2800 DA day. and that was with some suspension problems.

Once everything is worked out I am sure the swap is good for .4

Silvr98z28

Congrats....tell Bob Rich Andrews said hello. He builds a good trans and is a heck of a nice guy.
I'll be calling him for the same trans before long.

MUSTANGEATER

iTrader: (10)

It's amazing how many people on here have one of Bob's tranny's in their car.

BADSZ28

iTrader: (39)

Thanks for the info! I want to do this swap so bad! But it seems a little pricey for me. I do not need a 1000HP trans. I will have to shop arround and see who will rebuild one of my cores at a resonable price for 600-800HP. I can't believe the cost of a decent TC for these either. Well I think I will post up my M6 set-up in the for sale section.

Steve Burger

iTrader: (33)

I checked a lot of prices. They are all inline with one another, The TH400 is a cheaper route and you can get a cheaper converter. I went TH350 due to recommendations and efficiency.

You are not to far from me if I remember right. You should come down for a ride. I think you will be pleased.

slow14U

I just got done a month ago with a M6 to th-400 swap. RMVB w/t-bake, 3800 ssf tci. I was suprised that on my first run with the nitrous I ran a 6.73, in the eighth which was my best to date, also cut my best 60, 1.45. I have had at least 100 nitrous passes with the M6 and ran a best of 6.82 1.55 60. It took me 4 passes to get down to 6.61 and a 1.42 60. Also got my best n/a times. Actually all my runs n/a and on the nitrous have been better then any of my M6 passes. A3's definetly the way to go.

CHRISPY

congrats What gear are you running?

BADSZ28

iTrader: (39)

Will you be at 41 this Sat? I would love to ride in an A3 car before I dive into that. I just posted my set-up in the FS section. I think the 400 may be the way for me to go. It will be cheaper all arround. Maybe not though because I can keep my stock X-member with a 400 and 9" tail and my DS. But my DS is factory aluminum so an upgrade would be a good idea if I were to get a brake. I am in a fluster with this. I do not have the money for a high dollor change over, but for dragging it is the best way to go. I guess I will see what happens with my thread first. If everyone low ***** me I will be SOL since I will need every penny from it to do the change. Too bad a core is only good for 150-175 for these A3s. I have one of each. I understand the eficiency, but how much of a difference is it? Is it worth it for the money difference? I guess I would have to see results or estimates from people and compare with price.

Steve Burger

iTrader: (33)

Call Bob at performance. Forme it was worth it. I wanted to do this once and be done. It was pricey but it is done now and I am happy. I already had a Strange DOM DS so that helped as well.

I have a 4.10 Gear.

I will not make 41 this Saturday. The car will be in the shop getting a little wheel well work for the 28" Drags. Very custom setup. I will have to post pics after it is done.

BADSZ28

iTrader: (39)

I took down his number. I will see what he can do for me. I like how he set up your VSS. That is another cost to consider in the total trans price. So maybe a milder set-up will not be so bad for me. I could always go 400 and keep my DS and X-member then replace the DS later. I will need a torque arm either way I go. I will give him a call.

Steve Burger

iTrader: (33)

The TH350 M6 and 4L60E all have the same DS. The 400 is different. Tou can get an X Member from BMR that has the TA mount.