BC Automotive Stage 4 transmission

[ts-pa]

My response was I drive 20K per year in sales including areas in the middle of no where. 2 trans failed in our E150 that my wife drives only hauling around 2 small children.

I could'nt afford a trans failure.

Money well spent if comes to make the vehicle more reliable. Especially with very important "cargo" as that!

[ts-pa]

Yep that's what I am talking about.

Looking forward to meeting you and the others. Finally able to meet face to face.

[ts-pa]

Well, today my trans situation has changed to the better...
From slipping to shipping! Darrin just sent mine out, should arrive Friday.

[ts-pa]

I was having long delayed shifts, hunting for which gear to be in and noticeable slipping as I was accelerating. The car always seemed to have the slipping while hard accelerating issue since I bought it with 12k miles. Since it worked fine otherwise, I just overlooked the problem. I maintained it with fluid changes at 30k miles.

If I kept the original engine in place, this might not have become a major issue so soon. The DOHC seemed to cause the slipping while accelerating to become much worse.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com[IMG]http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/ /><o:p></o:p>
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While meeting up with MM.net member MM-BKK to record his exhaust video, I noticed how well his car drove and specifically how well it shifted. Around the same time, I came across other peoples trans swap threads. This caused me to consider that my current drivability problems could very well be with my trans, and not the engine or the tune from Dennis.
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I had my choices of vendors narrowed down to four, Darrin being one of them. Glad to have chosen him as he explained a few of the differences of his build vs. others. I would not have been happy with the other vendor's builds. If you need a trans, I would recommend that you get in contact with Darrin!
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After a few phone calls & PM’s, Darrin provided me with the best 4r70w that he builds.
I was concerned that I might not really need to do this repair, but the car definately needed it. The trans fluid was a reddish brown color when it was drained. This is only after about 4k miles on new fluid!<o:p></o:p>

It is installed now & I only drove it about 20 miles so far in mixed city/highway driving.<o:p></o:p>
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Well, it shifts pretty quickly, more like a switches gears with almost no perceivable delay. The shifts are in an instant and I love it!
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Nowhere near as hard shifting as I thought that it would be. Very sedate shifting as a matter of fact. Now, this is with mild acceleration as I was driving in commuter traffic on a mixed city & highway road in the rain. Even the downshift was milder than what I was expecting. It is definitely there, but in my view, very mild at 30 to 20 mph when it occurs. <o:p></o:p>
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Darrin settled my concerns by explaining about the milder shifts won't hurt a thing. It’s just not banging the finish pressure on the shift. The fact that the shift is instant is what is important. If you want to firm it up then go at that with line pressure in the tune.<o:p></o:p>
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Darrin did some things that might make this transmission shift fairly mild at part throttle and on the coast downs because he noticed that I seemed to have concerns over this. So this is good news that it is behaving like he built it to. <o:p></o:p>
I would like to comment that Darrin indeed does listen when you speak with him!
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Don’t know if this is because I wanted to feel this way, but the butt meter says that the car accelerates faster now. I’m thinking that the trans was slipping quite a bit more than what I had previously perceived.

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There seems to be "slipping" as it engages the OD, the dreaded "flare" that we read about occasionally. It sounds like the engine revs just a little higher for a very short time before engaging while shifting into the OD. Darrin explained that this is just how it is with these trans. He could have reduced the flare a little at the risk of breaking things, just not worth it. He assured me that this is normal and shouldn’t damage anything.<o:p></o:p>

I won't change a thing since this set up won't hurt anything. This should keep that passenger seat quiet (my wife).<o:p></o:p>
She already dislikes how “noisy” the car is now since being altered with the DOHC engine. Imagine how mad she might become if the trans would bang while shifting also!
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I still need to go full throttle, without my wife of course, and let you know how it feels then. I’m waiting on a few parts that I want to install before I go back on the road with it.

Darrin, please feel free to comment on any corrections if you see any need for it.
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[merc]

Glad to hear the good news.

[ts-pa]

Hey Mark, how is your trans doing? Did you get the shifting as you like it yet?

[merc]

Hey Mark, how is your trans doing? Did you get the shifting as you like it yet?

Have not drove the car since the last meeting. Hope to have the car on the dyno in the first month of 08. I will address the shift points and other software adjustments then. The transmission runs great.

[ts-pa]

Have not drove the car since the last meeting. Hope to have the car on the dyno in the first month of 08. I will address the shift points and other software adjustments then. The transmission runs great.

I hope that the results are good for you! Glad to hear that the trans is good also.

[ts-pa]

I was having long delayed shifts, hunting for which gear to be in and noticeable slipping as I was accelerating.....<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com[IMG]http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/ /><o:p></o:p>
<font color=" /><o:p]< o:p><FONT color=#0000c0 #333333?><FONT face="Trebuchet MS"><FONT color=#333333><FONT face="Trebuchet MS">While meeting up with MM.net member MM-BKK to record his exhaust video, I noticed how well his car drove and specifically how well it shifted. Around the same time, I came across other peoples trans swap threads. This caused me to consider that my current drivability problems could very well be with my trans, and not the engine or the tune from Dennis.<FONT face="Trebuchet MS">

I wanted to be clear on my comments so that no one misreads them: I was not sure of what a car with a higher stall converter drives like when I had my car altered. I was concerned at one point that something may have been amiss with Dennis' tune. I did not push the issue with him to change anything specific, since I had a nagging feeling that the trans was where all of my drivability problems lie.

<FONT color=#333333><FONT face="Trebuchet MS">I was concerned that I might not really need to do this repair, but the car definately needed it. The trans fluid was a reddish brown color when it was drained. This is only after about 4k miles on new fluid!<FONT face=Verdana>

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<FONT face="Trebuchet MS">The car always seemed to have the slipping while hard accelerating issue since I bought it with 12k miles. Since it worked fine otherwise, I just overlooked the problem.

<FONT color=#333333><FONT face=Verdana>As you can see by the conditions, the trans had overheated from slipping. Not from anything from Dennis' tune or installation, but from my heavy right foot and ignoring the problem from the beginning.

<FONT color=#333333><FONT face="Trebuchet MS">It is installed now & I only drove it about 20 miles so far in mixed city/highway driving.<o:p></o:p>
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<FONT color=#333333><FONT face="Trebuchet MS">Well, it shifts pretty quickly, more like a switches gears with almost no perceivable delay. <FONT size=4>The shifts are in an instant and I love it!
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<FONT color=#333333><FONT face="Trebuchet MS">Nowhere near as hard shifting as I thought that it would be. Very sedate shifting as a matter of fact.. ...Even the downshift was milder than what I was expecting. It is definitely there, but in my view, very mild at 30 to 20 mph when it occurs.....<FONT face=Verdana>

<FONT face="Trebuchet MS">Don’t know if this is because I wanted to feel this way, but the butt meter says that the car accelerates faster now. I’m thinking that the trans was slipping quite a bit more than what I had previously perceived.... <FONT face=Verdana>

This very short trip confirmed my suspicion that the trans was the problem all along. I used the same tune, the only thing that changed was the trans.

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...(My wife)<FONT color=#333333><FONT face="Trebuchet MS"> already dislikes how “noisy” the car is now since being altered with the DOHC engine. Imagine how mad she might become if the trans would bang while shifting also! <FONT face=Verdana>

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This is not a slam on my current exhaust setup from Dennis. My wife just loved how quiet the GM was originally.
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I still need to go full throttle, without my wife of course, and let you know how it feels then. I’m waiting on a few parts that I want to install before I go back on the road with it.

I'm a fool for not getting the trans cooler ahead of time. I didn't know that this was required when a trans fails. The cooler is one of the parts that I'm waiting on at the moment. I'm also going to get a power flush done ASAP just to put my mind at ease.

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[ts-pa]

OK, another update...

I found out that Ford requires the replacement of transmission cooler when a trans fails. Tran’s failure is not only where operation is inhibited, but also described as anytime particles of clutch material or particles of metal are found, or discolored fluid indicating scorched clutch materials. The reason is that the 170 deg. Flow Control Valve prevents proper flushing of the cooler.
Give Ray, "The Dealer", a call for a decent price on this item.

See these pics, numbered 31 through 35, for details.
http://pix.myphotoalbum.com/p/pa/pas/pas...ELLED.sized.jpg


The current cooler part number is YW1H-3F479-AC, previously YW1H-3F479-AA & YW1H-3F479-AB. The replacement appears to be very easy. I will swap it tomorrow morning.

Also learned from Darrin...Do not ever put anything into a Torque Converter other than Mercon V in efforts to clean it! For example, Safety-clean or Brake Cleaner, these will dissolve the glue backing from the Lock Up Clutch material. In addition, these fluids are NOT compatible with Mercon V. When you run the transmission, the fluid and particles will foul up your new trans. Fortunately, my mechanics did not do this. The proper way to clean a TC is to have it machine flushed at a dealer or send it to mfg. to be cut open for service.

The main lessons that I learned from this is to always replace the cooler at the same time as the rebuilt trans is put into service. Also, replace the torque Converter or have it properly flushed if you intend to re-use it. Otherwise, you may risk potential contamination of the clean trans. This is where the application of the Magnafine filter is being used to try to alleviate said contamination.

I hope that this info will help others when they face a trans repair. Darrin has been extremely patient and helpful with his knowledge & experience. I highly recommend that you contact him with your specific trans needs.
http://www.bc-automotive.com/html/contact_us.html

I will also post this tip in the Transmission section.

Will do part throttle & WOT update in near future.

[ts-pa]

OK, "Part Throttle" update...

Well at part throttle, the trans shifts ever so slightly firmer than with light throttle. I'm pretty sure some here would say "too soft" as it seems to be very similar to stock in regards to firmness of the shifts. The 4-2 down shift on the other hand is pretty firm.

Goes through the gears with a higher mph before proceeding than the light throttle would do, but still with very quick shifting. The highest that I held onto 1st gear so far was about 40mph. You can control when shifting occurs just by how you control the throttle. If you go gently, it shifts very quickly throught the gears. Even as low as 45 mph, with gentle acceleration, you almost feel as if your racing to get there. Very nice setup!

[jspace03]

hey can anyone give me darrins number so i can call him about a trans

[ts-pa]

hey can anyone give me darrins number so i can call him about a trans

From the man himself...

I can help you guys out if you need one. Give me a call at 317-514-0816 if you need anything.

Thanks much
Darrin

[magindat]

While I do not own a BC trans, I definately went the way Darrin suggests in his above long post.
Before we knew Darrin, I went with Dennis' Art Carr Level ll II and a PI converter. I was NA then and really had no need to beef up the tranny, other than for peace of mind. I was out of warranty, had a few bucks and decided to invest them in 'insurance' to prevent breakage of what I thought to be the potentially weakest link in the car. My existing was fine and showed absolutely no need for service. Dennis pre-built me an LII and swapped cores at his shop.
Later, I felt no reservations whatsoever in upgrading performance, including supercharging. I've put over 20K on my trans and 5 of them supercharged. I have had several tunes in it and have even made my own tune for shifts and lockup and the setup just keeps going and going.
Darrin gives excellent advice. Prevent breakage. Even though it's a bunch of money with no apparent increase in performance, it's money well spent... whomever you choose to spend it with.
Good advice, Darrin!!! Thanks for it!!!