Tranny buildup!

[PREDATOR]

So here's the deal... I've located a low milage transmission, but before it's going in I'm wanting to install a; Torson diffriential, SPEC Stage 3 clutch and pressure plate, Fidanza Flywheel, and upgraded ball bearing shift forks.

Now I'm working with a $2,500 budget to get this done. I'm wanting to know "from the experts" does this sound like a reasonable setup? Also what else would be a good upgrade to do before it goes in?

[iistevo84ii]

Wow!!! Glad to hear you're doing it right, instead of just putting parts on as you get money for them. GOOD!!

Well in answer to your question, it is imperative we know thw year of the transmision you are purchasing. So???? What is it??

If it is a 2001-2002 I would say no internal parts would need to be replaced, unless they NEED to be replaced. See what Im saying??
Also why a Stage 3??? Do you have BIG plans for your car, i.e. Nitros oxide, supercharger, turbo, 3L????Because even if you want ONE of these a stage 3 would be overkill (unless you plan to run 15psi or 150shot). However if you have plans to combine two, lets say a 3L with Nitrous oxide, perhaps you could run a stage 3. Personally, I think stage three is too high.

Flywheel a good idea. I dont see why you wouldn't get a spec flywheel though. The clutch and flywheel go together like bread and butter. Im not saying the Fidanza wont work (in fact it will work great!!), just a personal preference of mine I guess.

You cant go wrong with a torsen!!

THe $2,500 you have to "work" with. Are you installing the tranny??? Does it include parts??? I had mine rebuilt with all new forks, syncros, a few new gears, lw flywheel and spec 1 clutch for $2100 (parts included),

[FastCougar]

$2500 is plenty:

2002 Tranny from junkyard: $700 shipped
Torsen from Keyser w/bearings and speedo gear installed: $670 shipped
Spec Clutch & Flywheel: $800

Total: $2170

That leaves $330 for tranny mods if the need arises

[PREDATOR]

Yeah, it's a 2001 tranny with 7,000 miles :biggrin:

The reason I want a Stage 3 is because of the plans I have for the engine and powertrain. ;)

[iistevo84ii]

Agreed with Trevor, but if you're not installing it yourself, you will go over budget.

With it being a 2001 I wouldnt change anything inside, not even shift forks, in fact that would be one of the last things I would change, but sine a 2001 MTX has all the updated parts, all you would be doing is replacing your shift forks with the exact same ones (waste of money). I had a 2000 MTX and I DIDNT change my shift forks, because they were in PERFECT condition and it would have been pointless to spend the exrta $$$ on them.

By avoiding having to replace the shift forks, tower, syncros, and so on (by getting a 2001 with 7k miles) you should be able to have all the stuff you want AND install for $2500.

[PREDATOR]

Originally posted by: iistevo84ii
By avoiding having to replace the shift forks, tower, syncros, and so on (by getting a 2001 with 7k miles) you should be able to have all the stuff you want AND install for $2500.

Well now... since I don't need to buy new shift forks or a tower looks like I'm set.

Just my LUCK, a torson LSD is offered in the For Sale section :banana:

[DemonSVT]

Originally posted by: predator

Originally posted by: iistevo84ii
By avoiding having to replace the shift forks, tower, syncros, and so on (by getting a 2001 with 7k miles) you should be able to have all the stuff you want AND install for $2500.
1. Well now... since I don't need to buy new shift forks or a tower looks like I'm set.

2. Just my LUCK, a torson LSD is offered in the For Sale section :banana:
1. His statement is incorrect.

The 1-2 roller bearing shifter fork and upgraded shifter tower were only used in the Focus MTX-75.

You will still need to buy them if you want them. The fork is ~$20 and the tower is ~$150.

2. Make sure it comes with the two bearings and the speedo gear already installed. That's at least $100 right there in parts and shop labor.

For $670 shipped you'd be hard pressed to beat ADC's price. They really give us a deal on the package.

[iistevo84ii]

I still wouldn't replace the forks or tower. At 7k miles, its almost guarenteed that everything will be in good condition. Its totally preference if you want to change that stuff out. Do I think it will make that big of a difference??? No. I had my tranny rebuilt without a new tower or forks, and let me tell you it shifts GREAT!!!

So I guess if you want to spend the money to replace that stuff you can, but I wouldn't.

FYI Demon- Im not really incorrect, its judt more of my opinion/advice.

[docfeelgood111]

So could we buy a MTX-75 tranny out of the focus and have all the upgraded parts? It would come with the 3.85 final drive though right? Would this bolt up to the 2.5L or 3.0L. If I'm remembering correctly it only bolts up to the I4.

[Ness1216]

bellhousing and shaft are different, although I could use one.

[pgtatx]

I think the Tower is a great addition...I found my shifts to be sharper and crisper with my new trans. When I had the trans side by side with my 99 trans, and you moved the toder, you could immediately feel a difference. Mind you, one of the trans's was brand new and should've been tight, but it was very smooth.

For the extra $200 in parts while the trans is already open for the LSD, you may as well upgrade th forks and what not. And if you didn't do the LSD, but the trans is out, the addition of the tower is worth it in my eyes...

Anyone who fely my shifter after I installed the new trans was amazing how smooth the shifts were, and how they even felt shorter, by how threy just fell into each gear.

[iistevo84ii]

Mine tranny felt the same a pgtatx's, however I didn't upgrade the tower or forks. So who knows?? Maybe it just depends on overall condition of the tranny from the begining.

[PREDATOR]

Where can I get the upgraded shift tower?

[pgtatx]

Originally posted by: iistevo84ii
Mine tranny felt the same a pgtatx's, however I didn't upgrade the tower or forks. So who knows?? Maybe it just depends on overall condition of the tranny from the begining.

Unless you drove my car you would never know...would ya?

In comparison to everyone elses tranny, SVT/Cougar/Contour, not one felt like mine...

The new tower is less likely to fail, which is the biggest key. The failure of the older style tower could cause internal trans damage which is why people changed...

[iistevo84ii]

Unless you drove my car you would never know...would ya?

Actually I did drive your car. I took it for a test drive one night without you knowing.:tongue:

But seriously, I have driven quite a few Cougars and Contours myself. As far as shifter goes my tranny out does even the 2001+
MTX-75's. I doubt it could shift any better than it does, and if it could I wouldn't even need to shift at all.....

Oh, contour.org has a name of a guy in the tranny section FAQ that can get you the parts you need for cheap. Check it out...

[exigent]

iistevo84ii

Ive had both the old and new towers shift feel isnt the only difference. The VERY breakage prone plastic gromets in the old tower are GARBAGE. Anyone whos seen them broken or had the extra 2-3" of up and down slop in the linkage knows what im talking about. The design was flawed and its a time bomb. For the relatively low cost the new shift tower is VERY worth it. Wait until your gromet decides to break and your left stranded. That one tow bill prolly would pay for the new tower that is virtually bullet proof compared to the old design.

[PREDATOR]

Man... I remember when that bushing came apart on me! I was in forth gear, showing off to my friends, then I go to shift to 5th... NOTHING! I pulled the car over and took apart the whole center console thinking it was a linkage to the shifter, NOPE! I drove all the way back home in 4th gear. At a stop light, I would drop the clutch at about 4 grand and putter away...

It was over a year ago... but man did it SUCK!

[JReed]

Ok- Im a transmission virgnin so please be nice. Im swapping an svt engine and want to make sure my tranny will still hold up for at least a year(or more). It a 99 mtx with 96000 on the stock clutch, etc. I am planning on buying a new svt disc, pressure plate, and maybe flywheel depending on the svt's condition. My tranny shifted great before the engine blew. Should I upgrade to the new shift tower, roller bearings, etc. Also, is there any other parts I should swap while I have the tranny out(snap rings, gaskets, etc.). I probably sound like an idiot with all these stupid q's but the search only came up with one svt listing which didn't help. Thanks for all the great info!