A340E Automatics....just how strong are they? Need personal experiences....

[BTM]

After recently speaking to an expert in the field of automatics, he contradicted a few things that I had been made to believe about the A340E gearbox's.
From speaking to a few people running these gearbox's, I was made to believe only a shift kit (stage 1.5) and stall converter (2800-3000) would be necessary to reliable hold between 300-350rwkW.
After speaking to the automatic specialist, he said the box could only hold 270rwkW'ish without needing to be fully built with additional clutch packs etc etc. Obviously the difference between these two options is quite a lot of money.
However, I've been told there are members of ToyMods running 300+rwkW just with stall convertors and shift kits with no problem whatsoever.

I'm requesting personal experiences and advice as to which option is more realistic. I was aiming for the 350rwkW mark out of the new motor, but in all honesty 300rwkW even is enough for a street car if that means shift kit and stall is enough. Just trying to get information.

Thanks in advance,
Ben

[MWP]

Give MV Automatics a call (located in Blackwood).
They are the A340E pro's.

IIRC Sean was running a A340E built by MV, he was pushing >500rwKW.

[BTM]

Yeah I'll have a chat to them. I'm simply asking for people's opinions and experiences. I'm new to the auto scene, so I'm not keen on being taken for a ride and paying more than i have to, just coz i've never bothered with auto's.

[chris davey]

Is this a 1j or 2j auto or something else?

I have heard of 2j ones coping with 300rwkw plus but Mike from MV's says a shift kitted 1j autos limit is about 265rwkw. After that, a rebuild with additional clutch packs is required. For the hardcore builds, he uses bits out of a 2j box.

So if you have a 2j box I would say suck it and see. If you have a 1j box then it is very iffy. Also depends on the weight of the car ie. I expectmy box to last a while as my car is significantly lighter than most 1j powered cars.

[BTM]

It's a 1JZGTE auto box. The box is going into an MX73 Cressida, so weight is not over the top. I just had a quick chat to Mike, and he said he'd recommend the box is built, but can do either. Dunno whether it's worth the $2800 up front for the box build, or whether to do the shift kit and stally and see how it goes. If it can't handle the power, do I risk damaging the stall convertor or anything like that, or would i just be able to build it then?? Ultimate power goal is 300-350rwkW. Hopefully then I can try and try again for a 10 second pass, if I can get traction.

[ProjectSleeper]

Mine lasted about 7 mths behind my 2JZGTE that has 252 rwkw

The clutches started to go and started clogging the filter so I had the box rebuilt with stronger clutches. As it's a daily driver, it retains the factory shift kit and standard stall convertor for smooth shifting.

It's just had it's first service about 2 weeks ago - (14mths / 32,000kms travelled etc) and the fluid was perfect, no signs of wear or cooked fluid etc ( I do run a Trans cooler though)

Cost me $ 2,420 - Drive in Drive out...
www.colvoss.com.au

being in adelaide though - Mike @ MV is the guru...

[BTM]

Mike suggested upping the number of clutches in the box to make sure it holds the power without a problem. If trying it out without being built won't damage anything i might give it a go, but everyone seems to support the 270rwkW mark as maximum for stock clutches.

[BTM]

These prices make an R154 Manual conversion more and more tempting haha. Although it will be a fair bit slower without the automatic transmission.

[mrshin]

R154 box itself tends to be way overpriced, and then you need to add in the cost of a suitable clutch etc. and you end up spending a damned fortune. Plus you might end up with a clutch that isn't overly friendly, and needs replacement every year or two. These are some of the reasons I'm going for an auto in my current project, plus because I don't see the R154 lasting very long, or being as nice/quick as the auto, and the cost of adapting a suitable alternate manual box would end up being many times the cost of an auto.

[BTM]

That is very true. I considered the manual shift for the A340E, but then I figured, why even have an auto if I do that. God forbid, I might actually have to spend the $2800. All depends on if that INCLUDES the shift kit and stall, or if they are on top of it etc.

As for manual clutches, coming from a drift background, i'm used to clutches that are less than comfortable to drive. Haha.

[1JZ.747]

take box to mike, pay the money, have no headaches

i have done over 160 passes on the track and over 160 passes on the dyno, plus aboiut 40000 ks on the street with mikes box.

i havent had an issues with it, it took a while to get the convertor right, but its now all good

10.1 et 137 mph,

500 rwhp plus

dont fuck around with any other so called experts with these boxes, mike at mv is the man.

[MR 1JZ]

sucks aye benny...oh well just another $3K on top

im making this face becuase me and BTM are buying the same turbos...which means the same moneyz on the box

[ProjectSleeper]

MR1JZ..

Seriously, the difference in the shift and the quicker times (I picked up about .6 sec over the qtr from the standard box to the rebuilt box)* is certainly worth it once the money has been spent...

* (note, I don't stall my car up when at the drags, I just tramp on it from idle)

There is no doubt that Mike is the guru.. Everyone told me to go to Mike also, and I called him about doing the job, got freight prices etc and was all set to do so, but in the end, decided to go local after a few reccomendations of others about CVAT - basically the extra hassle to remove and replace the trans, arrange freight and pay freight costs would have cost me almost a grand over what I paid in the end. I just drove it in.. waited a few days and drove it out, - been very happy with it since..

[MR 1JZ]

yeah I dont doubt it will be worth it...considering getting the box done right now...before the big turbo goes on...im also gonna whack on a 2800 stall and stage 1.5 shift kit too

[BTM]

Damn you and your 2JZ response I reckon I'm gonna step up the stall to then next level (3200???) so I can launch on boost haha. Gotta do something to keep up with the additional torque Everyone I've spoken to has recommended Mike, so I reckon that'll be the go, especially in the long term. And he only lives across the road from me, so I could CARRY the box to him to get it done LOL.
I figure I'll get the box built, and slap the big turbo on in 2 or 3 months.
Shane, is your box built tougher than the one I'm looking at, or is the same sort of deal?? Hearing about the reliability and strength of your MV box definitely removes a lot of worries.
Jason, what's the reason for not stalling up at the lights?? Traction issues??