Is anyone interested in the ZF 8HP transmissions?

[andrewb70]

The ZF8hp70 transmission fits better in my Cougar than the T56. I was able to raise the back of the engine about an extra inch, which actually improved the relative angle of the engine to the rockers.



This is the view on the driver's side.



and the view on the passenger side.



I used an 8HP70 mount from Holley and even recycled the transmission mount from my 89 Suburban project. I also made a new crossmember by starting with a Chris Alston Chassisworks Mustang crossmember kit. The new crossmember turned out pretty good, except when we went to install the exhaust, it hit the crossmember. :��:



I've had these little plastic bellhousing block off plates in my tool box for 15 years and I finally have a chance to use them. This one seals off the driver's side of the bellhousing.



This side loops around the started nose and seals off the passenger side opening.



I ordered a small Earl's cooler to use for the transmission and we found a good place for it on the side of the hood latch support.



My buddy Brian took this shot after we got the hood back on it.




Saturday afternoon FedEx delivered the blower belt and a few minutes later....



Tom handled the transmission fluid fill procedure while Brian shifted through the gears, which is required to fully fill these transmissions.

Yesterday I ordered a dual CV driveshaft from The Driveshaft Shop. In the meantime I need to permanently wire the TurboLamik and figure out a way to mount the BMW shifter. Ideally I would make a console, but there isn't time to do that before LS Fest.

Andrew

[digitalsolo]

Following along on this... I think I'm going to swap the TR6060 in my Mustang for an 8HP70 this winter. Not shocking to find you're way ahead of me on your builds.

I wish they made one of these I could fit in a Corvette transaxle.

[andrewb70]

I'll just leave this here:





Andrew

[dontlifttoshift]

Stock 8hp70, stock converter, 10.2

That's rad.

[JKnight]

Very impressive! That’s a great ET for a street car. Well done!

[andrewb70]

Last week I took a spare 9" carrier, that I have been dragging around for about 8 years, to a recommended shop to swap out the ring and pinion. This was a Currie nodular 9" carrier that came with a 31 spline True Track diff, but had a useless 4.57 ring and pinion gear.

A while back I purchased a used OEM 2.75 ring and pinion and also a REM polished 2.75 ring and pinion from Quick Performance. I told the guy to use whichever gear set he felt would be the quietest. HE ended up setting up the used OEF Ford gear. I started the carrier swap yesterday and finished it up this afternoon.

I took my first drive and I have to say, that in my opinion, this is the optimal rear axle ratio when using the 8HP70 transmission. The gears are very quiet and I am pretty pleased.

For anyone contemplating the 8HP transmission swap, I would use either a 2.75 or at most a 3.00 gear set, assuming the typical 25.5 to 27 inch tall tires that we all use. With a taller tire, a 3.25 gear would work as well.

Andrew

[ScotI]

I wondered about this. Once the ability/possibilities to swap these transmissions started growing, I did rpm calcs to figure out what gearing options might be most beneficial. I was curious on the numbers....