Bottom line ford to transaxle?

[Randy]

I have been searching this and other sites for info on mounting a sbf 302/351 to a inline transaxle. It is a mid engine mount. Mild horsepower 250/300. There is alot of good info on this site , to much info for my small brain to take in. I do not know alot about transalxes. Also it needs to be an automactic trans with no computer for the motor or trans. Audi 5000? Renault un1? Porsche ?
Bottom line. 289/302/351---no computer will be carbed---inline mid engine---mild hp----automactic--- What is the best trans easy to get hold of at a good price? Who has the bellhousing adapter, flexplate for this set up.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Randy V]

Hi Randy,

Here in the states the Renault transaxle is hard to find.

The Audi 016 is probably the cheapest and will handle a moderate amount of power.

The Porsche transaxles are the next step up and there are many variants..

Next up is the ZF transaxle - pricey - hard to find - expensive to repair/rebuild

Then you get into all the custom solutions which are out of the budget reach of most of us...

Bellhousing adapters can be purchased from Kennedy Engineered Products along with Flywheels and clutches. Make sure you're sitting down when you hear the price as you will easily spend as much or more for the adapter / flywheel / clutch as you would for an Audi 016....

 

[egoman/ Shawn Wedge]

He wants an automatic!!!!!!!:thumbsup:

 

[Randy]

I have aready looked at the kennedy adapters and the cost is not that bad. Yes I need an automactic trans. I can find lots kits and transaxles for the sbc its the automactic inline sbf I am having trouble finding. Is the auto transaxle out of a porsche 944 any good? Hold up to a v8? Kits to mount to a sbf?

 

[Randy V]

Sorry - Misread your original posting - since you spec'd Renault UN1 (a standard trans)..

Still the Renault box will be difficult to find.

I would imagine that there would be more Audi slush boxes - I know I went to pull the 5 speed standard out of an Audi-5000 in the 40 degree rain and when I got there (75 mile drive) I found that the guy was mistaken and it was an auto.. The next 5 or 6 cars I found were slush boxes as well..
Plenty of Porsche autos but I don't think you'd be able to invert them and I don't know if you can flip the ring gear..

 

[Cliff Beer]

As Randy says, you'll be able to find a bunch of different Audi automatics that should fit the kennedy adapter plate, however, those automatics are likely to need some more sophisticated electronics except for possibly the early Audi 5000s. These earlier Audi boxes may just have a kick down switch or even a simple mechanical linkge so that's probably workable.

The porsche auto box out of a C2 ('89 to '94) could work with the porsche adapter plate but, again, likely needs some semi-complex electronics. The C2 auto box will be able to handle some reasonable hp. The auto box out of a Boxster is basically the same auto box as in the modern 2WD Audi but I'm guessing it's not quite as robust as the C2 box.

Ford ran some automatics in GT40s back in the day ('64??) but I'm not sure of the origin and likely pretty hard to find now.

 

[Scott Calabro]

A little of topic but ..............


The UN1 is the EASIEST gearbox to get here in the states!

Just pick up the phone and call me.

I can supply them all day long for $ 2750.00

P/N 40-56 & 40-61

Full parts list for the TS 40

Now back to the discussion of automatic transaxles......

S

 

[Randy V]

Another thought for you since you require an automatic;

The GM TH425 auto transaxle from the Cadillac Eldorado / Buick Riviera / Olds Toronado has the right configuration for what you want to do... They are extremely strong transmissions but are driven via a Chain similar to a 4wd transfer case (although very silent).

These are not computerized and you can find bellhousing adapters out there if you look hard enough..

Here's a guy that did one in a Manta kit-car;
Rick's Manta Montage

 

[Jac Mac]

Loctite, you dont mention what sort of chassis you intend to fit this in which makes a huge difference to the options available. The Lambo Countach ran a setup with conventional engine trans ( In your case a Ford 302/C4 auto combo ) into a box with either two gears or a chain like many 4wd have which then transmitted power by a shaft back to the diff which was mounted around the front pulley area ( Motor/Trans was back to front ).

Beauty of this setup is the shifter etc is in the right area for a GT40 type car- only large expense is the gearbox/adaption at rear of trans, and there are plenty of IRS diff units on the market now that would suit- jag, 300zx Nissan, Toyota Supra,T-Bird & Late Mustang, Aussie Falcon-Vette etc etc. This keeps all your main parts -Engine/trans/Diff as seperate & standard parts-ie easily replaceable.

 

[Randy]

So theres not much choice if I want a automactic trans with no computer and keep the cost down. I have checked into the th425/325 but thats only to install a chevy motor and alot of weight. I really like the audi 5000 or porsche trans axles but to do away with the computer I will have to run a manual? So its either a chevy motor/automactic or a ford motor/manual.

 

[Randy V]

So theres not much choice if I want a automactic trans with no computer and keep the cost down. I have checked into the th425/325 but thats only to install a chevy motor and alot of weight. I really like the audi 5000 or porsche trans axles but to do away with the computer I will have to run a manual? So its either a chevy motor/automactic or a ford motor/manual.

Wait a minute here... You sort of lost me when you said

I have checked into the th425/325 but thats only to install a chevy motor and alot of weight.

First off - There are only a precious few TH425's out there that will bolt up to a Chevrolet and those are in the old GMC Motorhomes.. The Cadillac / Olds / Buicks all share the same bellhousing bolt pattern. Yes you'd have to use an adapter plate but I've never heard of a Porsche or Audi box that will bolt up to a Ford without an adapter anyway.

Talking about the weight - sure the TH425 is heavy but it will take pretty much anything you could throw at it.. I have my serious reservations about the strength of the Audi automatic from the 5000..

If it's not an infirmity that drives the requirement of an automatic - you my want to reconsider the standard transaxle...

 

[Randy]

What I was talking about was the 425/325 is for the sbc motor. I was trying to mount a ford motor.

 

[AdrianBurton]

I have heard of people using the trans from the Chrysler intrepid. I am not sure of the strength but they have been used with 300hp v6 and are mounted longitudinal in the chassis

 

[Ron Earp]

What I was talking about was the 425/325 is for the sbc motor. I was trying to mount a ford motor.

Loctite (whatever happened to real names on the forum?),

you could mate a TH425/325 to a Ford motor. There are adapter plates for that application, at least there was years ago. You can mate an Audi box to a Ford or Chevy motor, there are adapter plates for that too.

Point is all of these transaxles mated to any motor require an adapter plate and the plates are generally available or can be made.

The early Audi 5000 automatics don't appear to require a computer. The TH425/325 definitely doesn't require a computer.

So, decide which one you want and start to source the adapter.

However, neither option will be as inexpensive as a $300 to $400 boneyard Audi 016 manual box and a $1200 adapter for Audi to Ford.

 

[Randy]

Rod my real name is on my post. Right there with my nick name. Why do you ask?

I have searched adapter plates. I can't find one. The ones who say they have them to mount a sbf to a turbo 350/400 say they won't fit a 325/425. I have also been checking on the audi and i have been told 95 and up for sure use a computer. I am still checking on the 94 and back audi. If anyone knows of a 325/425 gm trans adapter plate and flexplate that will mount up a sbf let me know are someone who will make one.

Thanks Randy (real name)

 

[Ian Anderson]

Randy

There are also Automatic Renault UN1 boxes - I saw one on e bay a couple of years back but I don't know what they use in the electrics department

But they are probably even rarer in the USA

Ian

 

[andys]

Randy

There are also Automatic Renault UN1 boxes - I saw one on e bay a couple of years back but I don't know what they use in the electrics department

But they are probably even rarer in the USA

Ian

Though not hugely popular in The States, the Eagle Medallion was available with an automatic transaxle. '88-'98 if I recall correctly. Should be fairly easy to find one.

Andy

 

[Pete T]

I don't see why the adapter plate for the sbf to TH350/400 will not fit the TH425/325. They use the same bellhousing and torque converter. The only area there usually will be a problem is where the oil filter goes. but a remote adapter cures that.

Also, with these transaxles you have the option of running the engine/transaxle combo turned backwards. (front of the engine facing the back) You turn the diff housing upside down. (spin it 180 egrees) This will put the engine further back if needed. These transmissions are basically the same as the rear wheel drive counterparts. The GMC guys also have a 3.73 gear set available for the TH425. The early transaxles have 3.23 and the later have either 3.08 or 2.73 ratios.

Insidently, the GMC motor homes used the Olds 455 engine not Chevy. The transaxles are the same between those and the Toro, Riv, and Eldo. They all have the BOP bellhousing pattern.

 

[Randy]

Hey Pete. Yes I was looking into the sbf to the 325/425 trans and fliping the diff. TCI makes a plate to adap a sbf to the turbo 350/400. I called them and ask if it would mount to the 325/425 and they told me no. Are you sure the bolt pattern is the same on the 350/400 325/425? If so I don't see why the tci adapter would not work?

 

[Randy V]

Randy / Loctite -

GM Turbohydramatic transmissions are available in Turbohydramatic 350 and Turbohydramatic 400 in both Chevrolet and Buick/Olds/Pontiac bolt patterns. Note - 2 different patterns. Chevrolet Turbo-350's and Turbo-400's share the same bolt patterns and torque convertors. The same is true for the Buick / Olds / Pontiac Turbo 350's and 400's.

Now - Ask TCI if they make an adapter for a Buick, Olds or Pontiac Turbo 350 or Turbo 400. If so, then you've found the adapter you need for the transaxle.

A lot of people wouldn't know a Turbo 325 or 425 if it were dropped on their foot. It's easier for them to just say NO than to take the time to find you what you need..


Pete - Correct you are. The engine in my friends GMC motorhome was indeed the Oldsmobile 455. He had incorrectly told me it was a 454 (which is a Chevrolet engine).. Since he's barely got enough mechanical knowledge to check his own oil, I can't fault him. Afterall - I know precious little about Nuclear physics - which he is a specialist in..