Towing Track Car Behind Ba?

[No Crust Racing]

Thought I'd better post an update to this.

I did end up towing the car to DECA and the BA managed fine though it did drink the fuel. 150k's for half a tank so bare that in mind. Having said that I did sit on 105 or so on the highway.

I might look around some wreckers for a heavy duty tow pack and invest in a trans cooler down the track. I've read some interesting things about BA auto's breaking something internal to the box that can be bypassed for an external one (not sure if they're talking about a cooler or not) more research is needed.

Ultimately, was all OK. Just give yourself plenty of space to brake.

[Russman]

Modern autos are rubbish because they are built for economy not strength. Having said that if you only tow every now and then it would be ok.

[No Crust Racing]

Had a bad run in with a modern auto and towing Russ? What did you break?

[Birds]

I agree with Russman, there's so much emphasis on L/100km these days that many automatics have been built with nastily tall overdrives and even the penultimate gear.

[No Crust Racing]

You might be able to tell me what it is inside the BA auto's that breaks, some internal tank thing.

Can't remember what it was when I was having the discussion with a gearbox guy.

[Russman]

Had a bad run in with a modern auto and towing Russ? What did you break?

Yeah pretty much stuffed my mums 6cyl EL auto from towing a commodore accross black spur. It was a big climb and coming down using engine braking while brakes faded really bad.

Aussie cars are crap haha.

My VS SS has an auto cooler and is shift kitted etc and it seems pretty good. Also has bigger VT brakes which helps.

As far as auto's go you can't beat an old Turbo 350 or Turbo 400. They're so tough but also suck the power out of the engine.

[Birds]

You might be able to tell me what it is inside the BA auto's that breaks, some internal tank thing.

Can't remember what it was when I was having the discussion with a gearbox guy.

Sorry mate, I only deal with manual transmissions and diffs

Really though, I wouldn't be towing a race vehicle or road car with anything but a nice torquey 4x4. Certainly not if I was hitting the hills...it's a recipe for transmission/engine disaster IMO. Aussie cars are made to tow caravans and small boats. We have a 4.2 turbo diesel Land Cruiser which does the race car tow pretty well, but even with that we stay out of 5th gear...and when going uphill it's 3rd gear all the way.

[No Crust Racing]

I say it 3rd the whole way also, as per the owners manual.

[nuR.spec]

towed my s13 drift car in the old mans BA xr6 na ute u could feel the auto struggling mind u the car had 130000 kms on it so ye sold that now next winton il tow the track car up wth the xr8 he bought..

[Rowdyr32]

Should have done it no worries. Both of my half shagged xf falcons have towed my gtr and do 100-110 no worries. The BA shouldn't have even broken a sweat. Ford normally ford with their falcons only offer the heavy duty tow pack with their auto's. No need at all for a 4x4 to tow a car. Mates have towed a massive caravan around oz no worries in a BA. We used to tow large gen sets plus gear behind EL and AU ford utes for years without missing a beat. They used to tow in 4th fine also with a lot more weight than 2 ton.

If anything thing was going to go in a auto its going to be the clutch packs most likely. They were the weakest link when working with DSI.

[_Ryan_]

I agree with Russman, there's so much emphasis on L/100km these days that many automatics have been built with nastily tall overdrives and even the penultimate gear.

I always was told to tow with overdrive OFF in an auto.

It would also make sense to add some decent pads to the car if you are towing with it.... do QFM/Racebrakes do BA/VE/AU/VX/VT/VS etc pads?

[racin8]

Sorry mate, I only deal with manual transmissions and diffs

Really though, I wouldn't be towing a race vehicle or road car with anything but a nice torquey 4x4. Certainly not if I was hitting the hills...it's a recipe for transmission/engine disaster IMO. Aussie cars are made to tow caravans and small boats. We have a 4.2 turbo diesel Land Cruiser which does the race car tow pretty well, but even with that we stay out of 5th gear...and when going uphill it's 3rd gear all the way.

I would advise you not to use 5th with the 4.2 1hz unless doing over 110 -120kph ( even without towing ) and never ever when towing. These engines and trannys have well documented 5th gear issues.....awesome vehicles just stay out of 5th

not that you ever really need it anyway.

[Birds]

I always was told to tow with overdrive OFF in an auto.

It would also make sense to add some decent pads to the car if you are towing with it.... do QFM/Racebrakes do BA/VE/AU/VX/VT/VS etc pads?

That's the smart way about towing, some people don't know this though. Racebrakes will make anything for anything...Howard is the man

I would advise you not to use 5th with the 4.2 1hz unless doing over 110 -120kph ( even without towing ) and never ever when towing. These engines and trannys have well documented 5th gear issues.....awesome vehicles just stay out of 5th

not that you ever really need it anyway.

Yeah I know mate, that's why I said we stay out of 5th gear. Also the H151 bolted to turbo diesel and V8 engines is a bit stronger than the H150 or R151 boxes found in the naturally aspirated diesels.

[_Ryan_]

That's the smart way about towing, some people don't know this though. Racebrakes will make anything for anything...Howard is the man

Hence my front pads