C4 Auto Into Nissan

[AWD2Go]

Hi All,

I tried using the search function but it had difficulty searching on C4 so I thought I would post my question instead.

I have a Nissan 180sx with an SR20DET in it. To majority of the Nissan 4 banger crowd auto is a swear word, but word has it the C4 in the Skylines crowd is not such a foriegn concept.

Just trying to find out who built your boxes and if you would recommend them, who you would stay away from etc.

Also would be handy to know what internal mods were done to the boxes i.e trans brake etc

Did you have any relevant issues with the conversion that might be handy to know even though it is a different setup.

Thanks in advance.

[mr 32]

Hi All,

I tried using the search function but it had difficulty searching on C4 so I thought I would post my question instead.

I have a Nissan 180sx with an SR20DET in it. To majority of the Nissan 4 banger crowd auto is a swear word, but word has it the C4 in the Skylines crowd is not such a foriegn concept.

Just trying to find out who built your boxes and if you would recommend them, who you would stay away from etc.

Also would be handy to know what internal mods were done to the boxes i.e trans brake etc

Did you have any relevant issues with the conversion that might be handy to know even though it is a different setup.

Thanks in advance.

talk to richard at craft differentials (02) 96371973 or (02) 9682 7222 he will be able to help you out.

also you could try dellow automotive (02) 9774 4419

i have used both before and are very good at what they do

[AWD2Go]

I had Fred at Protrans Performance Automatic recommended to me also, any one used his services?

[2rismo]

I currently run one of Fred's Stage 3 C4 auto's behind my RB25DET and love it to death. Fred is a trans guru and a top bloke to boot! He is also an agent for TCE converters and deals with them every day of his life so the service you receive from them is excellent too. (as opposed to dealing with TCE directly).

If you'd like to discuss it, send me a pm or email.

Cheers,

Adrian

[AWD2Go]

I currently run one of Fred's Stage 3 C4 auto's behind my RB25DET and love it to death. Fred is a trans guru and a top bloke to boot! He is also an agent for TCE converters and deals with them every day of his life so the service you receive from them is excellent too. (as opposed to dealing with TCE directly).

If you'd like to discuss it, send me a pm or email.

Cheers,

Adrian

I have only just started looking but my first impression was he seemed like he knew what he talking about.

He did recommend the TCE convertor as part of the package. I am looking for a full manual auto. Fred said he did one in reverse pattern.

Also trying to work out if it is worth spending the extra $800 for a trans brake / upgraded billet valve body.

How do you find the TCE convertor? does it stall nicely? what is the top end slip like?

[2rismo]

You can get both forward and reverse pattern C4's in full manaul operation. The difference occurs if you want to use a transbrake. Fred's transbrake valvebodies are reverse pattern, billet, and super tough.

The converter is too loose for my setup but that's not a measure of it's quality - more a case of us not tuning the car with a manual first to discover the exact characteristics of the engine combination. You usually have to chase the converter a bit in turbo cars (especially turbo&nitrous cars) so i was prepared for this. My converter will go back to TCE to be tightened after the next street meet i go to so we know exactly how much to tighten it up by.

I thought that losing 2 gears and a clutch was going to make the car less fun to drive.....

....oh how wrong i was I couldn't be happier with this box. It's worth noting that Fred replaces every bearing in the C4 with a needle roller bearing for added reliability and longevity. Something which not every gearbox builder does.

[AWD2Go]

In my very brief call to him he seemed to replace any part that was of importance. I am seriously considering running a blower in conjuction with the GT3076R I have on the engine so I would really need to sort out that first before I do anything.

Once I have dyno sheets I would have a better idea of what was required from the convertor. Are you running a trans brake or not?

[2rismo]

I have the following box from Protrans:

Ford C4-C10 Transbrake: High Performance 3

- Transbrake reverse shift valve body

- Vasco 26 spline input shaft

- Roller bearings throughout

- Raybestos bands and clutches

- Kolene steel forward clutch pack

- Special heat treated race steels high gear

- Billet race servo

- New 4 pinion low drag Billet planetary (Optional 6 pinion)

- Modified high gear drum for high RPM

- New rear servo piston

- New Sprag assembly

- Race modified lubrication oiling system

- B&M alloy pan with Hi-Flow TroqueFlite filter

- AN-6 fittings

[AWD2Go]

That sounds like the bits he quoted me on. I was given a price of $3800 for a transbrake box and $3000 for one without. Although that is a fair bit of money once you add $1000 - $1500 for a convertor and other bits and pieces it should be a fairly bulet proof box.

Funny how people have the misconception that driving an auto can't be fun. They obviously have never driven a decent one.

[2rismo]

$3800 is bang on the money for an all billet innards transbraked C4. 800hp is a walk in the park for these boxes. Sounds good mate. Let me know how you go.

[AWD2Go]

I am pushing to justify the extra $800 for the transbrake, but it would work nicely with my MSD which has a 2 step built in

Sounds like Fred might be the go unless someone pipes up and has something to say that would talk me out of it. Thanks for your help.

BTW are TCE charging for the tweaks to your convertor?

Edited January 10, 2007 by AWD2Go

[2rismo]

2 step + trans brake = perfect!

No problems!

No.

(In that order)

[AWD2Go]

I think I would be hard to beat off the lights

Just have to see if the budget stretches that far it is nearly another grand, if it was strictly a strip car it would be easy to justify just not sure I can justify it for the street.

What stall did you wind up going with? Fred spoke about doing mine with an 8 inch convertor to get the stall but keep it tight.

[AWD2Go]

Anyone have a differing opinion?, suggestions?, comments?

[WHITER33GTS-T]

I am going to be using the same C4 setup as 2rismo when i get my ass into gear. My car has already been tuned and dynoed with a manual so now i know when it comes on boost (close to 6000rpm )

[AWD2Go]

So that another Fred +1, last thing I want to do is spend 5k on a conversion only to find out that someone had a shit experience or even worse found better value else where. My first impressions of Fred seem good so maybe I should trust them.

[2rismo]

You need to meet him. That will solve your apprehension.

[2rismo]

I am going to be using the same C4 setup as 2rismo when i get my ass into gear. My car has already been tuned and dynoed with a manual so now i know when it comes on boost (close to 6000rpm )

When when when when?!?!? I'm dying to see the cars full potential

[AWD2Go]

You need to meet him. That will solve your apprehension.

I think I am a little apprehensive because so called "experts" very seldom live up to my expectations. I generally find if I want something done right I have to do it myself (custom steam pipe manifold which I am currently getting done is a prime example, it was a case of this is what I want now please weld it up). I build all my own engines because I just dont trust anyone else to do it right.

Auto are a bit of a specialty item and although I have done some minor mods myself before (shift kits, basic rebuilds etc) there is a huge difference between a shift kit and a full performance rebuild. Some tricks are only learned with time.

As soon as I get mobile again (hopefully in the next couple of weeks) I can start on my supercharger project and then I will have a much better idea what sort of stally I require.

[2rismo]

I know what you're saying mate. A good trick is to find someone that doesn't call themselves an expert but lots of other people do.