Hughes Performance 4R70W

[FIXR7]

G'day Folks,

Can anyone give any feedback on Hughes Performance transmissions?
I'm looking at one through summit. I would get a 4x4 one.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HUP-53-1C/

Cheers,
Pete.

 

[FIXR7]

Anyone anyone?

 

[FIXR7]

Short memory eh?
I'd have better luck getting blood out of a stone!

 

[CDW6212R]

Oops, sorry about that, it was very late for me.

Hughes has a good reputation from long ago, I don't keep up with many changes over time though.

Then try them or the other good name brand aftermarket trans builders. The only other individual I would deal with is another known member of the TCCOA forum and other Ford forums, Silvermane IIRC. He seems to have a good reputation, and learned some things from Alan too.

 

[FIXR7]

No worries Don
Thanks for answering anyway!
Well, I've got a very fast and professional response from Hughes and nothing was left out.
ie none of this answer one of my questions and forget about the other ten bullshit.
Plus they're happy to drill and tap the output shaft before building the trans too.
They're also able to organise air freight for less than the cost of most of the sea freight I've been quoted on!?

 

[CDW6212R]

That sounds promising. I only learn about companies like that from experiences of others like you who share them.

I hope they are very good and reasonable. The chances are good if they are a solid reputable company, because the 4R70W is a very reliable and developed trans. If it was an A4LD or many other weak or fragile/picky trans models, then you'd have to also be sure to find someone who knew a ton about them. The 4R70W is very strong given bone stock 1998+ parts. There isn't much magic to know when building them, and they are hard to screw up.

If you need many of the few aftermarket upgrades, only a few have to be done with the build(rear stub shaft for example). For near to racing, an extra clutch set can be added to the forward drum(leaving out the wave plate), and a couple of extra tiny holes get drilled in a couple of places(minor improvements). Most things are done in the VB, or are changes of the accumulators or their springs.

After it's done and running, then the final tuning is done in the computer, with a flasher(SCT Excal II/III). That can raise pressures and fine tune the shift points etc.

I forgot whether you have an OBDII system to run it, or if you will use the Baumann device?

 

[FIXR7]

Hi Don,

Yes I'm using an Optishift for control.
They use the 98+ stub shaft in all their 4R70 builds.
Here's the rest of the specs...'

Part number 53-1C, fully upgraded heavy duty 4R70W 4x4 transmission with red racing frictions, heavy duty steels, Kevlar bands, blueprinted high output front pump, new bushings, new seals, new gaskets, new bearings, new thrust washers, heavy duty intermediate mechanical diode, heavy duty overrun clutch, heavy duty accumulators and servos, custom calibrated valve body for firmer, faster shifts, high flow filter, and all new Ford electronics.
Part number HP5380, deep cast aluminum pan, includes drain plug, holds 2 extra quarts of fluid.
Part number HP8238, heavy duty stacked plate transmission cooler with 6AN male fittings.
Part number 53LXTM, heavy duty Tow Master series lock-up torque converter.

 

[CDW6212R]

That sounds good, except for the red clutches and kevlar bands. I learned that those items are very picky about clearances and apply pressures in high stress applications. The consensus I got from the high performance builders was to avoid those unless the builder is very familiar with the requirements for them. Hughes may know exactly how to set those up, I would go by the feel of how they describe those and their build process. If you had a choice, the normal clutch and band material are safer choices.

I had the red clutches as part of my high performance kit sold by Eagle Converters, and bought the OEM intermediate clutches from Alan. Only a couple of friction sets are red in those kits, the intermediate and direct I believe. I bought the high carbon band for mine.

Things change over time, and my research was last done in 2008. If your communication with Hughes has been comfortable, reassuring, I'd go with their recommendations. Regards,

 

[FIXR7]

Well the Hughes Trans has been going very well. Perhaps a little too well...the shift is a little too hard. Even turning the Optishift shift pressure down to 3 it still shifts too hard.
I rang Hughes and they sent me a complete new valve body free of charge!? Made even more amazing by the fact that I'm in Western Australia!
Anyway I started doing the swap tonight but discovered the valve body gasket was ripped in transit. I removed the old valve body and it came off without effecting the gasket. So I'm thinking it would be ok to fit the new VB without changing this gasket? What do you guy's think? As I say the gasket is perfect.

cheers.

 

[FIXR7]

Well I used it anyway. It shifts great now, firm but not tyre chirping firm. Supoib!