What auto box mods for track use?

[Snake2998]

Hi
I have decided to do some minor mods to my Cobra to improve it for fun track day use - it currently runs a Chevy 350 with a TH 400 box whose changes are too soft and unpredictable to be fun on the track.

What can I do to make the changes more positive on the track but not too harsh for cruising.

I don't want to go as far as changing to a manual transmission because of cost and time as I'm currently building a Lotus 7 copy.

[Ron61]

I don't know what it would cost, but some of the people that I know have had mild shift kits put in their transmissions. Since I never had an automatic I don't know much about how they set them up, but one person told me he had his set so it would shift without being to hard as he did most of his driving on the street, but there are different levels that you can have the shift kit set for. You might talk to one of your transmission shops and see what they can tell you.

Ron

[KevinM]

Check B&M's shift kits. http://www.bmracing.com/

Kevin

[poseur]

I have had excellent results in the past with TH 400s using a B&M Transpak. Crisp shifts, ability to hold gears, and downshifts whenever you want. A great combo with my SD-455 Trans-Am.

[Tom Wells]

Snake2998,

I use a C-6 for street and road race. It has been a "learning experience."

Some bits of advice (since you asked!):

1) Contact Carl Rossler at http://www.rosslertrans.com/ and do whatever he suggests for the trans. He knows Chevies at least as well as Fords

2) Get a large transmission fluid cooler and install it properly. I mean a really large one! It should be at least 1/3 as big as your engine's radiator. Don't use a fan on it; put it where it gets some airflow. I've had B&M's best fan melt Carl can advise about transmission fluid type and temperature sensor location (see next item).

3) Get a transmission pan temperature sender installed. Use a big red light if you can find one, or keep an eye on the temperature reading as you drive so you can stay away from frying the transmission. It should be obvious how I know this...

4) Get a cool-running low-stall converter. This will be your major heat source. Carl may also be able to advise on this item.

The above may sound like a lot of trouble/expense. It isn't even close to being as expensive as learning these things one at a time!

If you do these things, your track experience may be so much fun that you forget about the Lotus! It allows you to concentrate on steering, braking and the line without worrying about heel-and-toe and shifting. If you're anywhere near as linear as I am (can't walk and chew gum at the same time) it takes the experience almost to a "zen" level!

Enjoy,

Tom