Hi Guys. After getting slightly addicted to legal drag racing, and the issue of keeping a modified car on the road is getting harder and harder every day, I am toying with the idea of building a purpose built drag car. I am not looking at breaking records, and being the quickest Zed out their, just something quick, reliable and fun. So, im going to need an auto, I know C4's have been fitted to VG's in the past, does anyone know of any adapter plates available? I have a spare engine and a spare shell that I can stuff around and start to dummy fit things, but at the moment is more of a exercise to get ideas, and the thought process going. Cheers for any help. Col And, yeah I have used the search function, but without going through a ton of posts, I didn't find anything
I'm not saying anything is wrong with the factory Auto. But I am guessing that they would be a hell of a lot more expensive than a C4 to build, and the knowledge to do so would be pretty scarce also. Now of coarse these a just assumptions. Thanks
step 1. Price up a build of the oem box. Step 2. Price up the whole conversion. I somehow think building the oem choice is going to be alot less work and probably cheaper.
Food for thought. Has anyone built a OEM for the purpose of drag racing? What kind of power could/should they be able to handle? I'd be interested to find out if anyone is using one with a trans brake fitted. Thanks
There's nothing special about a C4 box. A Powerglide would be a better choice & there are upgraded aftermarket parts for them at reasonable pricing.
Ive had the auto in my car TT jatco R403A built by MV automatics in SA , full manual valve body , and his friction kit which is billet servo , Kevlar bands upgraded clutches , and a 3000 stall ... shifts are brutal ... overdrive is activated by a toggle and + 12 volts Been in the car for 3 years now without any problems whatsoever costs wise off the top of my head were about $3000 which included freight to and from NSW to SA
C4? Hey M8 , I think one of the guys on here runs a braked C4 , I have a full manual racematic (Trimatic) had intended to put in a glide , except another forum member sold me the complete Trimatic setup at a good price . I use mine for the Drags stock engine , turbos , injectors so no power , Ran a best of 11.76 @118 on stock trans , and 11.70 @ 119 on the Trimatic . On the stock trans converters way too small and the Trimatic converters way too big . But for the drags it is a much better problem to have . If you are going to end up with a good built motor choose a glide , if it's going to be mild choose which ever trans you like ? Here are some sources for glides / TH400 ect http://www.rosslertrans.com/power-glide.html http://bde-performance.com/powerglide.htm
I have a braked c4. It is tiny and light and can handle enough power. I personally believe our cars are too heavy for a glide. Th400 is good but heavy. If your making 1k+ or making huge nitrous torque th400 is the way to go. I like the c4 and I have gone 11.2 with it on stock turbos with a small shot. New setup underway. Oh and if you have a lightweight zed glide all the way.
Hey guys thanks for all the input. Never really considered a power glide, have always been advised towards a 3 Spd. It's definitely not going to be an anorexic car, but lighter than most I guess, very little interior, no HICAS or air con etc. The engine has been built for around 500hp atw, in very early stages of tuning. Where did you get your C4 adaptor made? Again, thanks for all the ideas. Cheers. Col
A couple of other considerations , the internal rotating mass of a glide is lighter than all the other transmissions . Also IRS car are harder to hook up at the track , so a glides first gear ratio will give you a much better chance , I would be surprised if any of the trans braked 3 spd Zeds can leave on the brake at full boost (even stock)? Finally if you decide to stop racing , you can sell a glide very easily.. If you go a 3spd to help it hook up ,You could change diff ratios or take off in 2nd , This guy here can make the adaptor for C4 or whatever you end up doing . Good luck , good to see another Zed on the strip http://www.raceglides.com.au/customer-cars.html:eek:
Awsome, thank you. I have 4.1 Richmond gears ready to fit, so i will end up putting those in. But a glide is definetly worth the consideration. Thanks again. Col
Ive just spoken to the auto trans specialist over here, and his words were "dont fix what isnt broken". According to him the Jatco box is stupid strong already, the only real shortfalls are the few plastic internals, which are items that get replaced with ally or steel these days anyway. A full rebuild through him is roughly $3200, drive in drive out, so for the price its probably worth staying on a stock box.1
From a cost benefit point of view I believe this to be incorrect. For peace of mind you really can't go past a glide, th400, c4 In that order and far more aftermarket support. Sorry just needs to be said. Would hate for someone to spend 5k on a jatco
brett dempsey does adapter for both power glide and th400 I wouldnt even begin to waste my time with factory box, fully built transbraked th400 and powerglides are picked up pretty cheap second hand and can sell on to anybody.. limited market selling the thing if you decide to move on later http://bde-performance.com/th400.htm
Yeah, I was thinking the same in regard to a stock box and after market support. Ok, so am I right in saying the TH400 is a Turbo 400? or am I missing something here lol
TH is short for turbo-hydromatic, that's is full name, some people say turbo400 some say th400. But we all know they are an awesome Box. Especially with a reverse valve body and full manual. Woohoo
