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'03
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SHIFT KIT
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The car was jacked up to install the stall converter and shift kit. Joe noticed a large puddle of oil under the car! We thought that maybe the oil filter adapter or oil filter was leaking, or maybe the sending unit blew out, but there was a slight dripping from the hole in the bottom of the converter/flywheel cover. The rear main seal had a slight leak that we knew about (enough to mist a little oil, not severe), but apparently a major part of the seal blew out while we were setting the timing.
Crazy stuff. Good thing we were pulling the transmission to install the shift kit...
Well we went to install the shift kit and my stock 3-4 accumulator spring was broken in 2. We had to chase all over to get another. Joe finally got one from Pull-A-Part. So we missed the shootout. But we were due to go to Hawk's soon...we could get a spring there! So we took our time.
Except for the manual valve link rod slipping out, the install went well. We found out there was no R or N, so we had to take off the pan and I had to drop the valve body and insert the rod. Then the car had R & N.
So on to the road test. At first I only had P,R,N,1 & 2, but then the tv valve finally clunked into place and all was fine. It does shift well. I want to add the 3rd washer to the 1-2 accumulator for a harder shift. We will do this when I drop the tranny for a converter install. Then it will get its red paint job and chrome pan!
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ALUMINUM DRIVESHAFT
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Since the drive shaft had to come out too...I finally got that 4th aluminum drive shaft I have been pining for...I managed to get it up at Hawks while we were there!
I decided to start to polish it with Mothers
We decided to install it with the tranny reinstall.
Now some would say why include that on your performance site... well it indirectly helps with performance over the stock components. Its stronger. Its newer, which means less chance is out of balance. Mostly, its lighter weight, which obviously helps the car overall. However, its also light weight in the right area... I have read that whenever you can reduce the rotational mass of the car's drivetrain, it will help you loose less power thru the drive train as it goes from the flywheel to the rear wheels... True or False??? I'm not sure. But dispite whether that part id true or not there are still enough benefits to warrent the swap!
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TORQUE ARM
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A short time after the rear end was swapped I noticed some clunking. Joe and I checked out the car to find that the factory bushing for the torque arm had finally given up. Since it had to be changed, I opted for an energy suspension bushing. At the same time, my stock arm was looking rough. I wanted to really get it looking nice, since it had to come out anyway. Well as it turned out we went to a junkyard later that day. While we were there I noticed a 4th gen torque arm just laying there. I decided to get it. It was dirt cheap and way cleaner them my stocker. Plus, it had a much nicer look. It had cutouts in the arm. It was definately lighter, which always helps! That never hurts... So it was cleaned up and painted body color.
Now in order to install it I had to get the bushing off a stock 4th gen. The transmission end of the torque arm is shaped different and the mount has one side that is different.
So in order to use the 4th gen bushing, I had to use a 4th gen mount.
Anyway it can be done contrary to popular belief.
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AUGUST
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The custom 2800 stall converter from Neal's Racing was ready!
Once installed, I could really feel a difference in the way the car launched. It felt so mushy at first. Then really picked up as the RPMs went up!
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TRANSMISSION COOLER
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The tranny gets a new cooler to help with that higher stall converter. TCI
Transmission Cooler
Part # 823800
To route the system the old lines are replaced with braided stainless lines. In order to do this, the old fittings had to be swapped out with AN fittings at the transmission.
Here are the lines where they connect at the tranny�
They route over the K member�
And up to the cooler with is mounted in front of the AC condenser.
In this pic you can see the whole route the lines take from tranny to cooler.
You can see the converter since there is no shield. The shield was left off to try and get it better ventilation. I had planned to get a louvered cover soon, but they are all designed for the V-8 Bell housing. Oh well, it cools better open anyway. And the transmission shop said it will not hurt anything.
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HOME PAGE
Follow this link to additional information on the car not found on this site!
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DIRECTORY FOR RAIF'S ENGINE PERFORMANCE SITE
01
Site Overview
02
Most Current Dyno and Track run
03
Early Cold Air Induction System
04
2001 Modifications
05
2001 Track Times
06
2002 Modifications
07
2002 Dyno & Track Times
08
2002 Fall Modifications
09
2002 Fall Dyno & Track Times
10
2003 Distributor rebuild
11
2003 Transgo Shift Kit & Stall Converter <<<
12
2003 May Dyno
13
2003 3.4L Engine Swap
14
2003 3.73 Disc Rearend Swap
15
2003 December Dyno
16
2004 Cutout & PF&E Headers
17
2004 Dyno
18
2004 / 2005 Transmission
19
2005 3in Mandrel Bent Exhaust & Dyno Results
20
2005 Truleo Intake, 65mm Ford Throttle body, Stock, & Disassembly Pictures
21
2005 Truleo Intake, Ford TB, & Fuel Rail Installation
22
2005 Truleo Intake & Ford TB Vacuum Line Routing
23
2005 Truleo Intake & Ford TB Custom Linkage Installation
24
2006 MSD Box & New fuel Pump
25
2006 Old Heads: Gasket Match Ported, & General Porting Information
26
2006 New Heads: Extreme Porting
27
2006 New Heads: Multiangle Valve Job, 1.6 Roller Tip Rockers, Beefier Valve springs
28
2006 Lower Runner (Intake Base) Gasket Match Porting
29
2006 Extreme Lower Runner (Intake Base) Porting
30
2006 Dyno Results: Truleo & New Head Combo
31
Future Plans
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