built E4OD vs zf5 with good clutch??

[MUDDING]

well im stuck i cant make my mind up, right now i have a 97 F350 4x4 auto with a BTS VB shifts nice n firm, but i was thinking about gettin it built with Suncoast xtreme rebuild, 6L TC n the bts VB, but that can get pricey i could most likely find a parts truck with a ZF5 swap it in sell the truck off an buy a good clutch n still be cheaper then building the E4OD.

So my question is whats the better option to do???

I do occasionally tow about 8000 pounds to go offroadin, n just commute to work. another thing thats a factor is im getting a set of 38" michilen XLs so i was thinking a 5spd would suit me better for gettin those tires moving especially when towing, i do have 4.10 gears which suck with the auto because it screams going down the highway.

[85_305]

As far as durability, fastest shifting, and longevity while doing hard work, I think a fully built auto would be the way to go. They are extremely built, hold boost longer, drop less boost under shifting, etc, than a 5spd. Plus a fully built auto is much tougher than a clutch-only 5spd.

[MUDDING]

see id like a BTS tranny but theres just not a chance in hell im paying close to 5gs for one, the one reason i hate auto is cuz i think mines on the way out so it bugs me how it acts, an the hole 4 spd screamin the rpms on the highway just to keep up with traffc. i have 4.10 gears an 35s my rpms are about 2300 at 110 115 KPH, an once i go with stg 1 n oil pump, an 38s i doubt my tranny will last nor would i think it would last if i built it up. With a 5spd an a good clutch it would be easier to get the 38s goin while in town n towing.

[Nashotah7]

I disagree, but that is just my opinion. A auto would be a better choice. With a few select mods in the E4OD it is a very reliable tranny. You don't need to go full blown Suncoast to make it last. If your worried about screaming down the highway, then I would look at new rear end gears. You have plenty of motor to get 38's spinning right now.

[MUDDING]

ya, well i was just gonna go with the CT 6l mod torque converter an a suncoast rebuild kit, i guess its just cuz this is the first auto ive ownd an im used to being about to choose wat gear im in and when i want to shift. im not gonna change out the gears in the diffs cuz its 4x4 so be a fair bit to get that done. What i dont want is to spend 2gs to get it built with those parts just to find out i still dont really like the feel of it, but i guess its easier to go that route then go buy a whole parts truck n spend weeks or so swaping everything over.

[351fifty]

Swapping gears would be easier then converting to a hand shaker

[JD3020]

From what i can remember the gear ratios between the ZF and E4 are identical, maybe just a wee bit different. The only real thing you'd gain by going to a 5 speed is a super low 1st gear that is pretty much useless for day-to-day driving, and they are more efficient so there isn't as much of a power loss to the wheels. If you want it to shift when you want it to you can either get a chip and have the tuner set the shift points to be what you want, or get a PCS(about $800) and make a push button shifter.

[85_305]

Originally Posted by MUDDING

see id like a BTS tranny but theres just not a chance in hell im paying close to 5gs for one, the one reason i hate auto is cuz i think mines on the way out so it bugs me how it acts, an the hole 4 spd screamin the rpms on the highway just to keep up with traffc. i have 4.10 gears an 35s my rpms are about 2300 at 110 115 KPH, an once i go with stg 1 n oil pump, an 38s i doubt my tranny will last nor would i think it would last if i built it up. With a 5spd an a good clutch it would be easier to get the 38s goin while in town n towing.

You dont need bts. And you dont need to spend even half of 5grand to have a beefy auto. All you need for a near bullet proof e4od is a tc, vb or shift kit, and tranny cooler. I went to a local trans shop (not bts or suncoast or any of the other big tranny builders) and they were gonna install a steel tc and a modified valve body, AND steel-gears (which aren't even needed unless you have mega-power), for like $1500 I think it was. Or maybe it was $2100. Either way, it was very fair. A tranny cooler is like 50-100$ also.

Originally Posted by Nashotah7

I disagree, but that is just my opinion. A auto would be a better choice. With a few select mods in the E4OD it is a very reliable tranny. You don't need to go full blown Suncoast to make it last. If your worried about screaming down the highway, then I would look at new rear end gears. You have plenty of motor to get 38's spinning right now.

Yep

[ol_Blue97]

with 4.10 and 38s.... what rpm are ytou pushin down the highway. you should be right around a 3.55. i would go with the ZF5 but thats me. when mine goes im goin 6 speed, pretty much just because. really no advantage over the 5 speed because first and last gear ratios are bout the same.

[Spud Monkey]

Don't look at me as expertise but I rather change a clutch out than pay to have auto transmission rebuilt. Anyone drive one of these in the mountains if so you still think auto is better when pulling a load?