Bob Cowan
12-18-2019, 09:13 PM
So, I installed the stock 6R80 transmission behind the stock (sort of) 2014 Coyote engine. Seemed like a good place to start. The car ran great, and is a blast to drive.
But there were a few things about this that really bugged me:
-- the 1-2 upshift was pretty harsh. Almost like a kick in the bu tt. Some custom tuning improved it, but still pretty harsh.
-- Apparent poor brake function. In Neutral, the brakes work really well, and feel great. In Drive, not so much.
-- speaking of brakes, any little bit of sand or water, and the front tires would lock up and slide before the car stopped.
-- Shifting from Park to Drive was a bit of a bang.
Apparently, the stock torque converter has a 2,800 rpm stall speed. And that's too low for a car this light. Also, I read that the stock converter is good for about 500hp. More than that, and it will eventually be destroyed.
I purchased a new torque converter from Circle D Specialties; lock-up, triple disc, billit construction, yada, yada, yada. Stall speed 3,200-3,400. I took it to a trans shop to do the swap because I am unable to do that kind of heavy lifting at the moment.
I drove it home today. Still some snow and ice on the roads, so I didn't drive very far. But what a huge improvement! Brakes are instantly better. The 1-2 shift is significantly better. Still slid a bit on the ice, as expected. I can't wait for better weather when I can get it out for a real run.
All in all, a significant improvement, and well worth the price tag.
But there were a few things about this that really bugged me:
-- the 1-2 upshift was pretty harsh. Almost like a kick in the bu tt. Some custom tuning improved it, but still pretty harsh.
-- Apparent poor brake function. In Neutral, the brakes work really well, and feel great. In Drive, not so much.
-- speaking of brakes, any little bit of sand or water, and the front tires would lock up and slide before the car stopped.
-- Shifting from Park to Drive was a bit of a bang.
Apparently, the stock torque converter has a 2,800 rpm stall speed. And that's too low for a car this light. Also, I read that the stock converter is good for about 500hp. More than that, and it will eventually be destroyed.
I purchased a new torque converter from Circle D Specialties; lock-up, triple disc, billit construction, yada, yada, yada. Stall speed 3,200-3,400. I took it to a trans shop to do the swap because I am unable to do that kind of heavy lifting at the moment.
I drove it home today. Still some snow and ice on the roads, so I didn't drive very far. But what a huge improvement! Brakes are instantly better. The 1-2 shift is significantly better. Still slid a bit on the ice, as expected. I can't wait for better weather when I can get it out for a real run.
All in all, a significant improvement, and well worth the price tag.