Turbo Question!

[ISurvivedNMU]

http://www.allisontransmission.com/...ns/model/pts/index.jsp?CTAMR=schoolshuttlebus

Try that... There are a millon allisons out there... Just a matter if they hook up... and I could not find that anywhere....

 

[Mike]

I did some research, the E4OD will go behind the IDI, not sure what you need for a supporting cast to make it perform. The E4OD made its debut in 1989 and has been used behind gassers and diesels since then.

 

[Billy]

ZF 5speed, and EPA anti diesel retoric

Well after a quick search I did find a recondition "Heavy Duty" ZF 5 speed Ford Tranny for a decent price. I wonder how a manual trans would do?

And then I caught the headline new that the EPA has flunked 20 states on clean air violations due to diesel engines and factorys.

Maybe I should sell the bus now, buy a bicycle, stop taking baths, quit my job and become a hippie before the EPA makes it mandatory.

Bill

 

[Billy]

You guys are great! and this Forum is awesome!

You guys are great. This forum is really making my project and life easier.

If the E4OD will hook up behind my 7.3 idi, some local trans specialist will be able to do it. And that really sounds like a good route.

I have a allison on my 6.5 turbo Gmc and I have never had a problem with it all the way up to 180,000 miles when the crank broke and scrambled my tranny.

I will make some phone calls tommorow to some trans specialist and ask them about an E4OD transplant and what it would cost. I'll post my findings.

Thanks again
Billy;p

 

[geonc]

Somebody will happen along with the right info purty quick here,


GEO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Easy there Mike................... You guys are handeling it as well as I could

Billy, You have two choices....a swap to an E4OD or a Gearvendors auxillary O/D unit.

It will be about the same $$$$$$$ either way.
You can buy used Gear Vendor units just as easy as you can buy used E4OD's.

The swap to E4OD is as straightforeward as it gets.....
you just need from a boneyard-TPS,PCM, shifter colum.
You will need a tranny temp guage, HEAVY DUTY cooler {do NOT use the radiator} and some drive shaft work as the E4OD is quite longer than a C6.
The real choice on your part is WHICH E4OD to get....Suncoast, Jasper, BTS{if I were an auto guy, BTS would get my $} or find a decent take out/used one and take your chances.

The Gear Vendor unit will require drive shaft work as well, but only the wiring of a switch.

Hope this helps
GEO

 

[argve]

You will find with an IDI coupled to an E4OD that when pulling heavy loads (10K coupled to a vehicle that weighs 8k+) that with the 4.10 gears you will be looking for a gear between 3rd and 4th. Lord knows I was with The Enterprise (1991 CC Dually 7.3 Banks turbo, injection pump tweaked, E4OD and 4.10 LS 8200lbs) pulling our 31ft TT (9500lbs). She needed something between 3rd and 4th pulling the grades (east or west).

So with a C6 (final ratio is same as E4OD in 3rd) that is mated to a OD unit that your new final ratio will be pretty much the same as the E4OD in 4th. Now this is not a big problem but you will be wanting something a little different (3rd/4th).

That means an E4OD with an aux OD would be the ticket but that costs $$$$ and then more $$$$. So if you were to just do the OD unit now it will allow you to split the current gears you have and if in the event of a unforseen event (selling van or lord forbid a total wreck) you can pull said OD out and place on next/replacement vehicle.

But one must also conside that the C6 is not a lock up torque converter to my knowledge and the E4OD is (this I know), so that throws another monkey wrench into the works. Might be best to do the E4OD swap so that you gain the lock up, then put the OD on the wish list and hopefully Diesel Santa will smile on you next year - that is if you blow smoke on every tree hugging electric driving hippie you pass by...

 

[Mike]

Awesome advice Travis. I can confirm that the C6 is not a lock up converter. The E4OD is. Listen to Travis' advice Billy. I dont think theres a nut or bolt this guy hasnt turned on an IDI. He was sort of the IDI beta tester for awhile. Fix it, run the wheels out of it, break it and refix it again.

 

[Billy]

C6 DOMINATOR and Gear Vendors

Hey Guys thanks for all the imput once again. This has been nuts!

I been doing a little homework myself. Called performance transmissions about the C6 dominator which they recommend highly for towing. Its all beefed up with my pick of stall speeds 1800 to 2800. for 1000 bucks.

Now let me add that every performance transmission place I talked with had nothing but great things to say about the Ford c6 transmission. Whether it be racing or towing everyone pretty much said those trannys are bullet proof.

Performance transmission recommended the C6 dominator for towing or (doing burnouts all day) and rig it up with a Gear Vendors OD unit. Hung up the phone and called Gear Vendors and a tech guy there said the same thing, "C6 transmissions are bullet proof" "hook up an OD unit and it'll be sweet" OD unit will cost me 2000 bucks. So $3000 and some sweat, and probably a couple hundred with a drive shaft guy.

What do you think about all that??

Bill

 

[Mike]

Its very sound advice. IMHO, the C6 for the big block Fords and the C4 for the Small block applications were the best auto tranny's Ford ever built. Bullet proof and then some. I know for a fact that if you get the best built E4OD money can have it'll be just a hair under 4 grand. So maybe the C6 with the GV OD unit is the best route.

 

[geonc]

GOAT BOY! Welcome aboard Travis
Billy, as stated before, LISTEN to Travis

 

[Billy]

E4OD vs C6

Geo stated:

"Billy, as stated before, LISTEN to Travis"

Geo, I read every reply including the one sent by Travis. I have talked to transmission specialist form one side of the coast to the other in the last 10 hours. And I really appreciate all the tips given.

But keep mind I am probably not going to spend 6 grand or more on Transmission upgrades on a 94 E350 shuttle Bus (I could buy another used Bus). Practicality is not my strong point but I do have some lines, and I have to tell myself I am not building a monster truck.

At most I'll be towing to 2 1000 # scoots inside of a 14 foot tandem electric brake trailer. It sounds like the Heavy duty C6 would tow that alone, but with a gear vendor unit it would be more than enough and I wouldn't beat my motor. Cost topping 3 grand and few beers.

At this point I am even considering rebuilding my current C6 with a HD kit with kevlar bands from Performance Transmissions and slap on an RV TC. That would really bring the price down and give me reason to really mess up my garage this winter

 

[geonc]

That would really bring the price down and give me reason to really mess up my garage this winter