Now that the pan is done, I have to start considering the trans swap. The engine came with a 4 speed auto, but it isn't really up to any big power capacity. It's also fully computer controlled.
And I like my manual shift auto. With converter L/U, it's almost like I have a 5 speed.
Adapting the 4r70 is gonna be true Monster-typical stuff though.....as I've thought this out for the last two weeks there are two possible paths to take...one is better than the other, but it has a fairly big "con" that can't be reversed,mane once I start down that path and it don't work.....
I'm phcked.
So, let's talk about the other way where I'm not.
Plan A: I build an adapter plate that sandwiches between the back of the 2j block, and the SBF bell pattern of the 4r70. Right now, the plan for how thick that plate will have to be is still up in the air. The problem with keeping it thin is that the 4r70 converter pilot is bigger than the pilot hole in the 2jz crank. And, according to the place I got the converter from, the converter cannot be turned down to fit inside that hole without cutting through. So,.....I have to have a stepped up adapter built that will center on the pilot hole of the crank, and step up to the diameter of the converter snout, so that the converter will have something to center in.
The thickness of that will depend on how far the converter's hub sticks past the flex plate when it's bolted up.
And that will determine how thick the sandwiched adapter plate will have to be.
And that could end up being really thick. ( like 1" or more)
If there is a 1" thick adapter between the two mating surfaces, the converter feet would also have to be commensurately thick.
The one thing you learn when contemplating this is that the stock starter mounting surface is part of the block. You want to try and keep the stock starter in place,..you want to use the stock Flexplate, hence all of the rearward spacing off of the block.
It’s a bunch of custom made stuff...completely in line with the Monster theme.
The other version uses the stock A340 removable bell. I’d have to cut the existing bell housing off of the 4r70, and use the front pump as a mounting surface for a plate that I’d use to bolt the stock bellhousing to. While this is more desirable to me, the problems arise when you have to consider the difference in the crank pilot versus the converter hub. With this scenario, I don’t have the spacing to accommodate the difference between two. The converter would have to bolt up to the Flexplate as is, as I can’t imagine that I’m gonna have enough room for a pilot adapter in the back of the crank.
So,....no worky. It also destroys any chance of bailing out, or going back once I cut that bellhousing off.