Hope for us Auto Guys yet...

[fLyPiNoY7]

i already have the valve body...lol

[Valk]

you gonna put all that stuff in yourself Flyp? better take pics.

[Crazee D]

I wrote them an email to see if they would give a discount for a group buy.

They responded!

$10 off for a GB!!

1. Crazee D

[Valk]

=O!

1. Crazee D
2. Valk

[bazooka joe]

how many do you need? does mine count??/(shrug)

[fLyPiNoY7]

you gonna put all that stuff in yourself Flyp? better take pics.

haha...nope, just figuring out whats needed...ill probably have a shop do all of the work since i dont even have the proper resources to pull out the tranny in the first place...

[kid prodigy]

GB for what ?

[Tom03es]

They responded!

$10 off for a GB!!

1. Crazee D
The valve body or the shift improver?

[bazooka joe]

The valve body or the shift improver?
(stupid) JK!

[bazooka joe]

Your order was shipped today by USPS Priority mail. The tracking number is xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx

EFP / Escort-Focus Performance

:Dlooks like it may get installed this sat at the meet!(mj)

[BinoMP5]

perhaps a how-to with pix? ehh? Joe?

[bazooka joe]

sure

[KrayzieFox]

So who all would be interested in a GB on the Lentech valve body? I sent them an email yesterday asking about it, so we'll see what they say.

[bazooka joe]

So who all would be interested in a GB on the Lentech valve body? I sent them an email yesterday asking about it, so we'll see what they say.
i'm in! oh wait....:) good luck...i hope they can save you guys some serious $

[KrayzieFox]

I honestly doubt it.. but we'll see what they say.

EDIT: I got a response. 10 units will get us 10% off. Not bad actually.. that's about $40 in savings.
Sign up if you're interested.
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4142805#post4142805

[Hookedupmp5]

Im interested, How many have signed up so far?

[KrayzieFox]

We've got 6 so far, but I'm not sure how many are truly committed and how many are just interested..

[bazooka joe]

received the automatic shift kit today...

[Valk]

Pics!@!!

[bazooka joe]

okay

[asmo 03 mp5]

the one you got is wrong, thats the escort one, you need the focus one it has a knob you turn, not switch, I dont know if they are the same think the escort trans is different.

just checked--its my fault the link is bad in the post a few pages back, links to the escort one, http://www.escortfocus.com/html/shift_improver1.html
thats the one you need focus zetec.

[bazooka joe]

the one you got is wrong, thats the escort one, you need the focus one it has a knob you turn, not switch, I dont know if they are the same think the escort trans is different.

just checked--its my fault the link is bad in the post a few pages back, links to the escort one, http://www.escortfocus.com/html/shift_improver1.html
thats the one you need focus zetec.
that's funny because i thought there was no connection at all between escorts and proteges...hope they'll let me exchange it? i'm glad i posted that pic!

[Crazee D]

the one you got is wrong, thats the escort one, you need the focus one it has a knob you turn, not switch, I dont know if they are the same think the escort trans is different.

just checked--its my fault the link is bad in the post a few pages back, links to the escort one, http://www.escortfocus.com/html/shift_improver1.html
thats the one you need focus zetec.

Lets make sure and get this clear.

[KrayzieFox]

The 4F27E was used on 00+ Foci (Focuses?) and Mazda renamed it the FN4A-EL and used it in the Protege, Mazda3,and Mazda6. They're not identical, but pretty darn close.

The Escort is something completely different.

[bazooka joe]

he's right, and they're sending me out the new one once i return the escort one...

[xDJ DUBx]

That sucks but at least you found out!

[Valk]

kind of off topic; but what are the chances these trannies will work on a KL? if the 6 uses this tranny l am hopeful.

[Scorch03]

I would have to guess the chances are very low

[KrayzieFox]

As far as I know, our tranny bolts right up to the KL engine.. but I could be wrong. It's not really my area of expertise.

[i12drivemyMP5]

Sooooo........is anybody planning on using this AND the Lentech valve body upgrade?

[KrayzieFox]

Mark (bazooka_joe) will have both installed.

[Valk]

im pretty sure you need a different bellhousing for the v6 but otherwise it should work. just something im curious about since a KL is something i wanna do down the road.
thinking sticking built auto would be better for that since ive been reading over at the mx6 forums that people are pushing like 500 hp out of built KLs heh.

hope we can do up the GB on both items.

[bazooka joe]

Sooooo........is anybody planning on using this AND the Lentech valve body upgrade?
ya, would have been in this weekend but i screwed up...oh well...next week..

[rooster]

is there such a thing as a lightened fly wheel for autos?

[Tom03es]

is there such a thing as a lightened fly wheel for autos?
No.

[KrayzieFox]

is there such a thing as a lightened fly wheel for autos?

It'd be nice if there was. Then we might actually be able to put down some of that low end power.

[Valk]

Id like to know what the difference between the converters lentech makes and the Billet one levelten makes.

[asmo 03 mp5]

I have a TCS converter, came in a kit for a focus that I made work. I think there in canada.

[03 Pro ES]

hey i'm an auto too.
subscribed...

[Scorch03]

Hey Joe any news on your shift improver? I'd like to know how it works with the VB.

[bazooka joe]

nope, hope to install it tonight, if not friday...
UPDATE: i'm doing this right now, need to make sure i have the right wire for the PCS...#2 pin is grey with a blue stripe? please confrim...my wire diagram is for an 03 sport shift...i can't imagine they're different, but want to make sure. thanks

[bazooka joe]

bump for assistance...if i don't hear back i think i'm going to go ahead and try that wire anyway, i'm pretty certain that's the one anyway...

[Scorch03]

Sorry can't help you with that, i tried searching but couldn't find anything so i don't know what to tell you. I wonder what happened to everybody else....

[bazooka joe]

the one you got is wrong, thats the escort one, you need the focus one it has a knob you turn, not switch, I dont know if they are the same think the escort trans is different.

just checked--its my fault the link is bad in the post a few pages back, links to the escort one, http://www.escortfocus.com/html/shift_improver1.html
thats the one you need focus zetec.
i pm'd him, no reply yet?

[rooster]

+1 for wanting to know how the shift improver works with the valve body.

[bazooka joe]

okay, i think i've got the right wire...i'll hook this up tomorrow or tues. here's a little vid from my way home from OCC this morning. that's a fellow nepoc'er in the miata.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeSlBovGPLI

[fLyPiNoY7]

bump...did u ever get it working?

[Chicoloco]

Hey guys, wich is a good auto tranny treatment/additive?

I was thinking of replacing the fluid before the next track day, but i think i dont have time. So i decided i could use something in the meantime.

[KrayzieFox]

I used some SeaFoam stuff before my last fluid change. It's called Trans Tune.

[bazooka joe]

(thumb)well got it all wired up and boy this just adds to the lentech...the shifts are real firm and i only have it set to #3 (gooes to 10 being the firmest setting) the hook up is easy, i did forget to takes pic or a how to but i will. this would be a great investment...for $90 you can't go wrong. i'll post a video as well some time this week. tomorrow i turn it up a bit!!!!
it's really cool that we can real improve this traanny over stock, and there is more that you can do! let the fun begin!!:D

[Valk]

one thing i wanna try in the coming months is recording the signals the tranny sees in different rpm ranges and throttle possitions to see if we cant create some kind of voltage clamp to prevent it from shifting down when you go WOT.
if we can trick the ecu, we can do up the tranny too =)

[bazooka joe]

that would be cool!

[asmo 03 mp5]

Glad u got it working joe, I have mine at about 2-3 setting shifts great, I did have the AT light come on when it was turned up past 6. The thing is my scanner couldnt find any codes, (shrug)

[SIBalla23]

Great job. Please post a how to if you can. So are the shifts faster or just more firm and direct with addition to the lentech vb?

[Chicoloco]

Changed the oil and filter yesterday. All good!

[bazooka joe]

Glad u got it working joe, I have mine at about 2-3 setting shifts great, I did have the AT light come on when it was turned up past 6. The thing is my scanner couldnt find any codes, (shrug)
that's good to know...so how did you reset it? not with the scanner...did you disconnect the battery?


Great job. Please post a how to if you can. So are the shifts faster or just more firm and direct with addition to the lentech vb?
i will...both, feel quicker and firmer

[Tom03es]

one thing i wanna try in the coming months is recording the signals the tranny sees in different rpm ranges and throttle possitions to see if we cant create some kind of voltage clamp to prevent it from shifting down when you go WOT.
if we can trick the ecu, we can do up the tranny too =)
Why would you want to prevent it from downshifting?

[fLyPiNoY7]

Great job. Please post a how to if you can. So are the shifts faster or just more firm and direct with addition to the lentech vb?

yes...please post a how-to...feels like my tranny is starting to slip, so if this can help it gain some pep, that would work...

[Valk]

Why would you want to prevent it from downshifting?

so it doesnt drop to second gear when you give it boost, reveing the piss out of your engine and possibly taking the tranny with it. maybe not kill off downshifting entirely, but stop it from dropping to second gear when you giver.

Im probably not the only one without tiptronic =)

[Scorch03]

so it doesnt drop to second gear when you give it boost, reveing the piss out of your engine and possibly taking the tranny with it. maybe not kill off downshifting entirely, but stop it from dropping to second gear when you giver.

Im probably not the only one without tiptronic =)

No you're definitely not and I've been thinking about a way to do the same thing. Unfortunately i have gotten no where. You have an interesting idea here but it's definitely beyond my abilities.

Ive been thinking it would be cool if it would be possible to detect and delay these signals in order to use an actuator to open the BOV, but that to is far beyond me.

[xDJ DUBx]

H.I.D Help, please? :)
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4196649#post4196649

[bazooka joe]

H.I.D Help, please? :)
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4196649#post4196649

wrong thread i believe?

[bazooka joe]

taken from the turbo auto tuning thread.....

so i did so funnin around yesterday...playing with the new shift imporver and i had it set at 3 no issues, ran fine. i go out this AM to head off to work and i start the car put it into reverse and blinking OD...which of course means limp mode. so i back the setting down to 0, check my scan guage "no codes"???? disconnect the battery, let her sit for a few, hook the battery back up...she starts right up and ran fine for the 40 mile trip to work? weird? i'll have to play with it some more to see what's going on. it could very well be that between the valve body upgrade and the shift improver the ecu just can't handle much more "pressure" increase and throws the CEL. more to follow...

[Valk]

No you're definitely not and I've been thinking about a way to do the same thing. Unfortunately i have gotten no where. You have an interesting idea here but it's definitely beyond my abilities.

Ive been thinking it would be cool if it would be possible to detect and delay these signals in order to use an actuator to open the BOV, but that to is far beyond me.

the problem isnt really that your feeding it boost, but the pressure put on the tranny at wot, or just too much throttle makes the tranny shift, be it electronicly or physically with pressure.

Maybe trying to prevent downshifting signals isnt the way to go, maybe just isolate the tranny voltages when you push a button so it wont shift down to second.

then flip that switch again to go back to full auto mode.

would be nice if lentech didnt discontinue that manual shift box. im sure you could rig it up to run both at the push of a button.

[bazooka joe]

ya, when i saw that i was like wow, this will be so cool...why did they do away with it anyway?

[Valk]

kinda makes you wish you baught one doesnt it lol. Might give them a call, or send an email asking about it, or if they have any input. Do tiptronics keep the gear when you run them in manual mode? whats different about the tranny, or could you just get a tiptronic ecu and run it on a 02 tranny?

[Crazee D]

good question

I'll eventually find out

[Tom03es]

kinda makes you wish you baught one doesnt it lol. Might give them a call, or send an email asking about it, or if they have any input. Do tiptronics keep the gear when you run them in manual mode? whats different about the tranny, or could you just get a tiptronic ecu and run it on a 02 tranny?
The triptronics will hold a gear as long as you want- all the way up to the rev limiter. But the transmission will also downshift for you when slowing down. It will also prevent you from downshifting if that next lower gear would overspeed the engine.

[Valk]

is it possible to change the electronics and shift mechanism from an 02-03? looking at my parts catalogue, the ecu's are different pn's but makes no reference to the shift plates or any linkages =( so many threads have said the trannies are the same is why i ask.

[Tom03es]

The transmissions are the same. You'd probably need the 03 ECU and the different shifter.

[Valk]

seem to recall somone said it was pretty expensive.... but what... $200-$300 for an ecu, $100-?? for the shifter? any other electronics or no?

[kura808]

today i noticed something interesting...i was just fooling around in manual mode. i was at a stop light and i decided to give it a one go. anyways for some reason, there was no lag between 1-2 when i shifted around 5500ish?(unusually quick) usually if i shift at a lower rpm, i get a half second delay. when i think about it, maybe we're using our manual mode all wrong if we get that delay? or maybe its just me..lol

[KrayzieFox]

A lot of it has to do with your foot too. I've gotten pretty good at easing up off the gas while shifting in manual mode, and the shifts are a lot of quicker this way. It's happened to me a few times too, where the shift was insanely fast and I had no idea what the hell I just did lol.

[rooster]

I just took a look at that wot box GB that is going on and then looked at the installation instructions.

here's some of my thoughts.

Since we let off when the auto tranny is switiching gears so that the engine doesn't chew it to shit. couldn't the 2step be used to cut power from the motor when the tranny is switching gears.

is there a signal off the tranny that could go to the "clutch" wire to the WOT box. that would let off the power.

This would be more of a safety feature for us, rather than a speed increasing thing.

My thought is that if you're mashing it in 3rd and the ecu decides to drop to second, the wot box would cut power when it's doing that so you'll get a couple of seconds to realize and let off the pedal.

thoughts?

[rooster]

also is anyone here running the ss afc?

[fLyPiNoY7]

yeah...im running the ss afc v1

[KrayzieFox]

also is anyone here running the ss afc?

And SIBalla has the v2..

[Tom03es]

what's the difference in v1 vs v2? Ignition timing retarding with one of them?

[rooster]

what's the difference in v1 vs v2? Ignition timing retarding with one of them?

V2 has wideband logging.

[rooster]

both of you guys running the afc are boosted right?

i spoke to lentech people today about the tranny control box, and it isn't what people (or just me) think it is.

The control box is for people building race only cars that use automatics and aftermarket standalones. the control box is only for running the transmission.

they also told me that they could "tune" the stock ecu to change the shift points and line pressures. I might have to take them up on that since they're only 2 hrs away from me.

and i've been doing research on the wiring of the auto, seems like there might be a way to keep the tcc locked.

[SIBalla23]

both of you guys running the afc are boosted right?

i spoke to lentech people today about the tranny control box, and it isn't what people (or just me) think it is.

The control box is for people building race only cars that use automatics and aftermarket standalones. the control box is only for running the transmission.

they also told me that they could "tune" the stock ecu to change the shift points and line pressures. I might have to take them up on that since they're only 2 hrs away from me.

and i've been doing research on the wiring of the auto, seems like there might be a way to keep the tcc locked.

Yes the two of us are boosted.

[bazooka joe]

both of you guys running the afc are boosted right?

i spoke to lentech people today about the tranny control box, and it isn't what people (or just me) think it is.

The control box is for people building race only cars that use automatics and aftermarket standalones. the control box is only for running the transmission.

they also told me that they could "tune" the stock ecu to change the shift points and line pressures. I might have to take them up on that since they're only 2 hrs away from me.

and i've been doing research on the wiring of the auto, seems like there might be a way to keep the tcc locked.
so i could send them my ecu and they could tune it and send it back?? too cool!!!

[rooster]

so i could send them my ecu and they could tune it and send it back?? too cool!!!

no they won't do that, they needed the car for a couple of hours

[Tom03es]

no they won't do that, they needed the car for a couple of hours
I wonder if after they have one Mazda, if they could replicate others without actually needing to have them there. Mail them your ECU like Joe is suggesting.

[Crazee D]

I'm getting there...
So I need to get a tranny cooler to swap in the CS rad huh.
I wanted one anywho

[rooster]

the hayden cooler works really well, nothing above 140.

has anyone tried tapping into the stock tft sensor?

[JDM-P5]

Add me...autotragic glee!

[kyle's protege5]

I was an auto with a turbo. One of the first i believe. I've been turboed since fall 02. The tranny did not hold up to well at all. I regularly changed the fluid, used a tranny and oil cooler, ran only royal purple fluids, and let off the gas when it was gonna shift.

IMOP unless you want to get a lentech tranny ditch the atx. I paid $500 for everything to swap in the MTX and now with a good clutch and flywheel, i'm running, er was running, 30 psi on the high and 20 all day.

The ATX is the weak link by far.

Just my $.02

[bazooka joe]

I was an auto with a turbo. One of the first i believe. I've been turboed since fall 02. The tranny did not hold up to well at all. I regularly changed the fluid, used a tranny and oil cooler, ran only royal purple fluids, and let off the gas when it was gonna shift.

IMOP unless you want to get a lentech tranny ditch the atx. I paid $500 for everything to swap in the MTX and now with a good clutch and flywheel, i'm running, er was running, 30 psi on the high and 20 all day.

The ATX is the weak link by far.

Just my $.02

still going strong here...about 65k miles on a reg auto...(only 6 psi though)

[xDJ DUBx]

I was an auto with a turbo. One of the first i believe. I've been turboed since fall 02. The tranny did not hold up to well at all. I regularly changed the fluid, used a tranny and oil cooler, ran only royal purple fluids, and let off the gas when it was gonna shift.

IMOP unless you want to get a lentech tranny ditch the atx. I paid $500 for everything to swap in the MTX and now with a good clutch and flywheel, i'm running, er was running, 30 psi on the high and 20 all day.

The ATX is the weak link by far.

Just my $.02

Only 500 bucks for a swap????????

I'd do a MT swap for sure if it only cost that much..more details please!!!

[shane02pro5]

That's parts only...the big thing is running the new harness! Paying someone labor/hr would be $$$$

[xDJ DUBx]

My dreams, were almost a reality, now they've been crushed :(

[Scorch03]

That's parts only...the big thing is running the new harness! Paying someone labor/hr would be $$$$

Hey i know how to do that, are the parts really that cheap? I had heard high numbers but it never occurred to me they might be including labor that i could do myself.

[SIBalla23]

Don't give up people. I been running my setup for 10k miles so far. I know a few others are as well.

[kyle's protege5]

Only 500 bucks for a swap????????

I'd do a MT swap for sure if it only cost that much..more details please!!!

dont remember who i got everything from. Was a guy in Louisiana if i remember right. The car was the wrecked Maxxis Show Car.

All i did was email everybody who was parting out cars and offered them $500.

The shipping was another like $150.

And it really wasn't all that much work. Just pull out the old motor, tranny, wire harness and shifter stuff. Swap it all over and put it back!

Ok that was the abbreviated version, but it really was not that hard.

[kyle's protege5]

That's parts only...the big thing is running the new harness! Paying someone labor/hr would be $$$$

Harness was not that hard. Dont know what everybody else that did this had such a problem with.

I went from an auto non-ABS and my donor was a manual with ABS. all i did was lay the hrness's out next to each other, remove some of the wire from the abs that i didnt need, moved one to the speed sensor in the tranny. That was really the only hard part. if you are half way good at wiring it's not that difficult.

Just get a wiring diagram, and when you're all done check then double check it. i was 100% confident it was right when i put it all back, and when i was all done i started it up and drove it, tach, speedo and reverse lights worked, heck it all worked.

[kyle's protege5]

Don't give up people. I been running my setup for 10k miles so far. I know a few others are as well.

If you are running not much boost you should be fine. Like others here have been.

I just didnt see the point of having all this available power and not using it! What kind of gain do you get with only 6psi? Maybe 50-60 at the wheel? $2-3000 for only a 60whp gain just doesnt seem like a good investment

That damn EBC and laptop made it so easy to keep uping the boost.

Hmmmm... if 6 psi is good, then 30 is better!

[Rockin03mp5]

50-60 extra horses is a lot compaired to what is stock.

and the manual trans is known to hold lots of horses too...

(if you want a 400 hp monster... get a different car... or lots of extra engines and transmissions)

[fishdonotbounce]

It all depends on what you want.

My rule of thumb for this car is this - If you want up to 200 HP on the auto transmission, go for it. No more than that. Maybe a little more on the manual but then you gotta build the motor anyway. Anything above, unless your money grows on trees or you just love terrible $ to HP ratios, buy a different car.

[fLyPiNoY7]

ive been running turboed since 2006...save for the numerous cooling system issues ive been having, the tranny has held up great to the turbo

[Valk]

I kinda miss my auto p5 now =(.. was a real luxury when i did the pizza thing for the second job. msp is anything but a comfortable shuttle of food lol. people cant even have coffee in my car.

thinking back though. even with the money involved in doing a turbo-matic, i think it might have been worth it..... if only she was tiptronic....

[Crazee D]

http://www.musclemustangfastfords.com/tech/0311mm_focus/index.html

Positive Shifting

"The Red Hot Chili Pepper kicks its sluggish shifts to the curb with a hopped-up transaxle and torque converter from Performance Automatic
By John Hedenberg

The Red Hot Chili Pepper has just taken a monumental step in the quest for serious performance. For those of you keeping up with the progress of our Torch Red ZX5 Focus, you are well aware that we plan on installing a turbo kit from Precision Turbo & Engine in the very near future. But while waiting for that kit to be fully developed by its manufacturer, we took up some of the slack with a 75hp nitrous kit from Nitrous Express. It was at that point we encountered obstacles-and we're not talking about the engine.
With the factory automatic transaxle handling the gear changes, the Pepper blistered (Hey, for this car it's blistering!) to a fine 14.92 at 90 mph with the nitrous and a 17.00 at 79 mph on motor. The good thing was we managed to dip into the 14s, but the bad part was that on the nitrous our factory transaxle was not a happy camper. When the little red nitrous button was depressed, all hell broke loose with the slushbox. True the car did perform well, but our shifts were weak and our 60-foot times, even with help from the blue bottle, needed attention for sure. Then the transaxle decided to start slipping.
With fixing our wounded transaxle at the top of our "to do" list, we began researching some companies that had front-drive Ford experience and found just what we were looking for three short hours away. Performance Automatic, located in Gaithersburg, Maryland, has been at the Ford C4 game for eons, but admitted the Focus was a venture they had been exploring for some time.
Shop owner Tom Cyr and performance salesman Harvey Baker assured us they were extremely interested in helping us with our horrid transaxle and explained that there were places where it could be improved. We've covered conventional C4, AOD and AOD-E transmission buildups in the past (some with PA) and have a pretty good idea as to how they work. However, when dealing with the Focus unit, we didn't have a clue as to what made it tick.
"The 4F27E four-speed automatic overdrive unit is unique in that it is completely operated by solenoids," explained Cyr. "The transaxle uses electronic shift control and is designed for operation in transverse powertrains for front-wheel drive vehicles. The 4F27E features a four-element torque converter design that includes a TCC (Torque Converter Clutch) and a gear train that has two planetary gearsets, a transfer-shaft gear final drive and a differential. The hydraulic control system of the 4F27E transaxle has six electronically controlled solenoids for shift feel (through line pressure control), shift scheduling (through shift valve position control) and TCC apply, controlled by Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM)."
The second key ingredient is, as expected, with the torque converter. "The converter we are using for this particular application is a factory unit we cut open and modified to allow for 500-600 additional rpm of stall speed on the line," said Cyr. "It consists of a four-element assembly containing an impeller, a turbine, a reactor and a TCC (Torque Converter Clutch) for increased fuel economy. For the record, we do not alter or eliminate the lock-up feature; that stays the way it is from Ford."
For the curious person, the gear ratios in the 4F27E transaxle are 2.65:1 for reverse, 2.82:1 for first gear (low), 1.50:1 for second (intermediate), 1.00:1 for high gear (direct), and 0.73:1 for overdrive. The final drive ratio (the ring and pinion) will be either a 3.68:1, 3.91:1 or 4.15:1, depending on the year of the unit. Our ZX5 has a 3.91:1 final drive ratio.
Tom explained the main problem with the 4F27E transaxle is a lack of line pressure. Ford designed the unit to shift rather softly and when introduced to a power adder the shifts need to be firmed up significantly or the life expectancy and performance of the unit will be greatly reduced. As opposed to upgrading the computer chip, which will also raise the line pressure, PA alters the valvebody solenoids and operation and says it is the wiser route to take as opposed to fooling with the electronics (computer) of the car. Before Tom and shop mechanic (http://www.musclemustangfastfords.com/tech/0311mm_focus/index.html#), Woody Wodridge began dissecting our Focus, Tom explained some of the weaknesses with the factory assembled unit and went over some of the modifications they would be performing. "Ford designed the 4F27E with very mild line pressure," said Cyr. "One of the items we will address will be with the valvebody, which is a hydraulic system consisting of hydraulic control valves and electro-hydraulic actuators. We recalibrate the pressure regulator circuits and the accumulator circuits to instill the unit with five-percent more overall line pressure. This will allow the unit to generate crisper, firmer shifts by activating the system with additional pressure. We will then disassemble the unit and replace all the reverse, direct, forward and low/reverse clutch plates and the intermediate/overdrive band (applied in second gear and overdrive) with high-performance components from Alto." The 4F27E converter operates much the same as a conventional unit and has a lock-up feature for improved fuel economy. The impeller and cover assembly drives the impeller blades and pump. It contains hydraulic fluid and provides a mating surface for the TCC piston and damper assembly. The turbine is driven by fluid from the impeller and transmits power to the turbine shaft and planetary gears. The reactor redirects fluid flow returned from the turbine to the impeller so that it rotates in the same direction as the impeller. This action assists in torque multiplication. The reactor has a one-way clutch to hold it stationary during torque multiplication (at lower vehicle speeds) to allow it to rotate at higher speeds.
One popular modification is altering the performance of an electronically operated automatic trans with a computer chip. This can work to a point, according to Cyr, but on the PA Focus unit it's not necessary. "All a computer chip does is add a slight amount of line pressure to the valvebody electronically," Cyr said. "You can, in effect, accomplish the same features by altering the pressure regulator circuits and accumulator circuits in the valvebody, which is what we've done. We didn't want to mess with a chip, because it may affect the way the unit operates as a whole and possibly do more harm than good. The correct way to increase the shift feel is with the valvebody."
With the transaxle out of the car and on the bench, Cyr and Wodridge performed the modifications above and slipped in the new (modified stock) converter. They jacked up the unit and reattached it to the rear of the block the same as with a conventional RWD platform. With the stock CV joints plugged back in the differential, the car was returned to the ground and the unit was filled with 6 quarts of automatic transmission fluid.
After test driving the car, it became apparent immediately the modified converter had an easy 600 more stall rpm. The unmodified unit would stall to 2,500 rpm (while powerbraking), but the PA converter can be pushed to 3,000 rpm without creeping 1 inch. This will allow us to leave the line harder and decrease our 60-foot times, as well.
With the car back in New Jersey we wasted no time and cruised over to Englishtown's Raceway Park to record our findings. As mentioned before, our best (engine only) time was a 17.00 at 79 mph. With the new PA unit in place, our shift feel was improved dramatically and we ran 7.83 at 77.51 mph, but did so in far worst weather conditions. Our 17-flat was in early April, where the weather is ideal for making optimum horsepower, but our 17.8-second time was accomplished in the extreme humidity of August. Small engines don't respond well to humidity and the Pepper is no exception. Needless to say, the PA unit is doing its job and is ready for a little boost.
We wondered if shifting the trans manually would unleash extra performance. On our first run we did our normal routine and left the shifter in drive with the overdrive off and stalled the converter to 2,500 rpm. After leaving the line the car seemed to stay in first and didn't shift properly. It was later discovered the computer went into what Tom defined as fail-safe mode, because it saw engine rpm but no vehicle speed due to the looser converter. Tom recommended we shift it manually and that solved our problem on the very next run.
With a professional overhaul from Performance Automatic, we can now safely run upwards of 100hp nitrous jets in our kit and the transaxle will have no problem keeping up with the demands. The PA converter feels terrific on the street and the shifts are much crisper and positive. Now bring
on the boost baby!


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Performance Automatic technician Woody Wodridge made sure our 4F27E Focus transaxle was removed and installed properly.
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The first step was to remove the pan to access the valvebody.
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Ford's (http://www.musclemustangfastfords.com/tech/0311mm_focus/index.html#) 4F27E transaxle is a four-speed (three gears plus overdrive) design that has planetary gears much like that found in an AOD-E application. One of the main problems with the factory unit is it was designed with very little line pressure, which slows down the shift feel and response. One of the first modifications PA does is to alter the valvebody to improve line pressure, which increases the firmness of the shift points. Note the arrow. This is the OEM vent tube that vents air trapped in the case.
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With the transaxle split in two you can see the front pump assembly and final drive section (the differential). Our transaxle contains a performance 3.91:1 final drive ratio.
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With the rear of the transaxle removed you can see the second gear, overdrive band and drum assemblies.
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The hot spots (or burned areas) on the band indicate soft shifts and slippage.
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The entire planetary set is removed, double-checked and gets a good cleaning before being reinstalled in the case. The planetary ratios are 2.65:1 for reverse, 2.82:1 for first gear, 1.50:1 for second (intermediate), 1.00:1 for third gear (direct) and 0.73:1 for overdrive. The planetary gears in the 4F27E are very similar in design and construction to the AOD-E Mustang unit.
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Here is the third gear and overdrive drum disassembled which shows severely smoked clutches, no doubt due to our extreme slippage during the nitrous blasts. Performance Automatic installed a complete new high-performance clutch kit from Alto consisting of four (as opposed to three) Alto Red lined racing clutches and Kolene steels for improved performance (http://www.musclemustangfastfords.com/tech/0311mm_focus/index.html#) and grip. Adding a fourth clutch increases the overall clamping force of the entire unit.
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Next the forward clutch and input shaft are laid out on the bench for examination. These clutches are not designed to withstand the added horsepower of a power adder and need to be upgraded if extended performance (http://www.musclemustangfastfords.com/tech/0311mm_focus/index.html#) is to be achieved.
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You can see the reverse clutches and band assembly. The old ones (top) are severely burned and smaller in diameter when compared to the new Alto Red clutches."

[SIBalla23]

Good read. The valvebody upgrade is the first thing that should be done and thats what a few of us have done with getting the lentech vb.

[xDJ DUBx]

I have a MT in my backyard that I'm gonna swap in :)

[Scorch03]

I have a MT in my backyard that I'm gonna swap in :)

Stop bragging already.

[xDJ DUBx]

(evil)

[bazooka joe]

dano, can't see the pics?

[blinduno]

so i got some manual trans issue how thinks they can tackle it?
basically when im driving the car in the manual mode witch i tend to most if not all of the time. it will shift great going up. but when i try to down shift its starting to not shift. i know that abover some speeds the car will not shift into certain gears like 20+ it will not go into 1st and i think 45-50+ it wont go into 2nd. but whats happening is 60 or less going from 4th to 3rd i have to practically punch the thing to get it shift down. 3rd to second is even worse, and so on down to 1st. but shifting up the range there isnt a single problem.... i wish i could had found an affordable 5speed when i got this car. :(

[FlipsP5]

JOSH!!! WTF happened to this thread?!

[BinoMP5]

umm... it's in your possession, now... the thread came with the car(screwy)

[99ProtegeKV]

auto here. 45 mins of traffic everyday so i figured i would.. i regret it sometimes. other times im glad im auto

[NOTSPCY]

sub