I need to be educated. 98 up 4R70W behind a stock 351W

[86caprirs]

I am going cross eyed. I have read to much and now I need the pros.

I have a 1988 Thunderbird Sport with a 5.8L and no trans (it was a 5.0L/aod). I was thinking of a 5 speed then realized I want to do automatic.

From what I think I have read is that I want a 98 up 3.8L V6 4R70W to bolt behind the Windsor engine. Then I want to do a "J" mod and use a Bauman trans shift controller to shift my gears. Right now the 351W is a roller cam engine with a HO cam from a 5.0L and a stand alone Fitech efi system.

Now from what I have read, the V6 4r's have one less friction and steel in the direct drive? Is this something I need to address right away or can the 4R handle the torque of the V8? Will my stock shifter and cable work with the 4r? Anything else I need to know?

Thanks

[SilverFox]

Luckily, anything that came with the AOD in it, also has corresponding shift levers that work in the 4R70w....accept the MarkVII. To continue that note, I do not know what shift lever the 88 bird had for the AOD. It is a BIG fox, like the MarkVII, so I wonder if it is the same? You stumped me!

THe 98+ 4R from my experience were built just like the V8. If you find a v6 unit that works, I say run it....worry about rebuild if it dies. Yes, a full compliment of clutches would be ideal in this application for sure. So inspect and rebuild now, or later. Up to you.

I would also run the Quick4 controller with a 100% stock valve body until you have set up the way you like it.

[86caprirs]

Awesome thank you.

The shifter in the car now is a floor shifter with PRN@D1. @= Overdrive

[SilverFox]

Right, that is AOD shifter.
I am talking about the lever on the side of the trans.
The lever on the trans corresponds with the shifter in the cabin.
Different varieties are
Fox stang
M7 (possibly fox bird and coug)
Mn12/Fn12
two different Truck
two different Vic/Marquis

The only 4R70W lever that did not get made nearly identical to the AOD is the M7....but a bent up truck lever will suffice.

[86caprirs]

Thanks for the info Dan

[Boostdcoupe]

just so you know, i used a completely stock 4R with over 100K miles (except it had a MVB) with a 347 12# boost and a 100 shot, it went a best of 6.55 @ 104 (1/8th). the trans NEVER BROKE on me!

[86caprirs]

Sorry for the long delay on this post. Life got into the way and the car got put on the back burner till this year.

Ok so looking at my shifter, it s the same as a Mark VII. So does this mean I will have to modify my existing shifter and cable or find a Mustang floor shifter? The other thing is the cable support bracket was bolted to the trans output housing bolts. The one from the 2002 Mustang has it's own bracket bolted to the body of the 4R70W which is closer to the shift lever on the trans.

So am I looking at putting in A 86-93 AOD shifter and cable or am I looking to modify a 94-2004 shifter and cable? There is a couple MN-12 Tbirds and Cougars in the yard too.

I also noticed that even with the trans crossmember pushed all the way back to the rear ward position does not align up with my trans mount. I have to get a Stifflers piece.

[SilverFox]

The 4R will use a modified truck lever or Tbird lever to match the throw ratio of the M7/coug/bird.
Use your AOD lever to find a match for the 4R.

You can move the mount a little more or enlarge the holes.