Gary Lewis Posted April 7, 2018 Share Posted April 7, 2018 I’m pretty sure it’s “only” a S42 version ZF, and it’s definitely a newer Sterling since it’s semi float. I don’t think the ZF will last indefinitely behind that kind of power, but the first engine he had in there was ~450 hp 900 tq. on stock compression and water meth injection. It had the standard NA connecting rods and he bent them and sent one through the block. The ZF did not break. Maybe having a clutch that slips a little in 5th is a good thing as far as transmission longevity. I know he is definitely going down the road of built E4OD’s now though... I'm hearing/reading very good things about the E4OD. Glad of that because I have one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ford F834 Posted April 7, 2018 Author Share Posted April 7, 2018 I'm hearing/reading very good things about the E4OD. Glad of that because I have one. In the diesel circles you hear a LOT of bad, bad things about the E4OD... but I think most of the problems are electrical and have to do with the control module. On the mechanical side I think the upgrades do wonders, and many of the “upgrades” became standard in later versions as you are finding out. In all honesty I should probably consider an E4OD for my diesel since my power level exceeds what the 13” south bend will hold, and my ZF needs rebuilt. I guess I just like rowing gears even though it’s not my best option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted April 8, 2018 Share Posted April 8, 2018 I'm hearing/reading very good things about the E4OD. Glad of that because I have one. In the diesel circles you hear a LOT of bad, bad things about the E4OD... but I think most of the problems are electrical and have to do with the control module. On the mechanical side I think the upgrades do wonders, and many of the “upgrades” became standard in later versions as you are finding out. In all honesty I should probably consider an E4OD for my diesel since my power level exceeds what the 13” south bend will hold, and my ZF needs rebuilt. I guess I just like rowing gears even though it’s not my best option. One thing I've been wondering about is the gear ratios of the various transmissions, so I put together the chart below based on info from this Gear Vendors page. So, going from a diesel ZF5 to an E4OD makes a huge difference in 1st, with the E4OD's 1st being closer to the ZF's 2nd. Yes, you have the torque converter for slippage and some multiplication, but.... In my case on Big Blue, I think the T19 to gas ZF5 swap is going to be perfect. I'll get a 12% lower 1st gear, so crawling will be even slower - especially in 4Lo. Second is only 3% taller, so starting in 2nd will still be easy. And third is 10% taller, which I like because I find the T19's 3rd to be too low when towing. There's just too big of a gap between 3rd and 4th, so the taller gear will be welcome. All in all, I think the E4OD is going to be perfect for Dad's truck, and the ZF5 will be perfect for Big Blue. Win/win! But for your diesel and the towing you will do, I think the ZF5 is the better choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dyn Blin Posted April 8, 2018 Share Posted April 8, 2018 One thing I've been wondering about is the gear ratios of the various transmissions, so I put together the chart below based on info from this Gear Vendors page. So, going from a diesel ZF5 to an E4OD makes a huge difference in 1st, with the E4OD's 1st being closer to the ZF's 2nd. Yes, you have the torque converter for slippage and some multiplication, but.... In my case on Big Blue, I think the T19 to gas ZF5 swap is going to be perfect. I'll get a 12% lower 1st gear, so crawling will be even slower - especially in 4Lo. Second is only 3% taller, so starting in 2nd will still be easy. And third is 10% taller, which I like because I find the T19's 3rd to be too low when towing. There's just too big of a gap between 3rd and 4th, so the taller gear will be welcome. All in all, I think the E4OD is going to be perfect for Dad's truck, and the ZF5 will be perfect for Big Blue. Win/win! But for your diesel and the towing you will do, I think the ZF5 is the better choice. Is the NP435 ratio similar to the T19? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted April 8, 2018 Share Posted April 8, 2018 Is the NP435 ratio similar to the T19? Nope. Do you guys think this info might be good to pretty up, add the other transmissions, and put on the website? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ford F834 Posted April 8, 2018 Author Share Posted April 8, 2018 One thing I've been wondering about is the gear ratios of the various transmissions, so I put together the chart below based on info from this Gear Vendors page. So, going from a diesel ZF5 to an E4OD makes a huge difference in 1st, with the E4OD's 1st being closer to the ZF's 2nd. Yes, you have the torque converter for slippage and some multiplication, but.... In my case on Big Blue, I think the T19 to gas ZF5 swap is going to be perfect. I'll get a 12% lower 1st gear, so crawling will be even slower - especially in 4Lo. Second is only 3% taller, so starting in 2nd will still be easy. And third is 10% taller, which I like because I find the T19's 3rd to be too low when towing. There's just too big of a gap between 3rd and 4th, so the taller gear will be welcome. All in all, I think the E4OD is going to be perfect for Dad's truck, and the ZF5 will be perfect for Big Blue. Win/win! But for your diesel and the towing you will do, I think the ZF5 is the better choice. Gary are you sure yours has the 5.11 first gear? The Novak site says that the 83-86 4x4 F250 with the 460 usually got the 6.32 first gear version, while the 2wd and diesels usually got the 4.02 close ratio. This is just internet regurgitation, but just curios if it could be the wide ratio one. If it is the 5.11 version then I definitely agree about the lousy 3rd gear jump. That is awful. The NP435 is like that as well, and was one of the reasons I went with the close ratio T19 in my ‘81. The jump from 1.00 to 1.41 is very agreeable 🙂 http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/transmissions/manual/t18-t19 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ford F834 Posted April 8, 2018 Author Share Posted April 8, 2018 Nope. Do you guys think this info might be good to pretty up, add the other transmissions, and put on the website? Yes, I think this would be good to have as a handy reference. Here is some info on the different ratios on the 4 speed overdrive Tremec gear boxes: http://www.f150hub.com/trans/t170-smod-srod-tod.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted April 8, 2018 Share Posted April 8, 2018 Gary are you sure yours has the 5.11 first gear? The Novak site says that the 83-86 4x4 F250 with the 460 usually got the 6.32 first gear version, while the 2wd and diesels usually got the 4.02 close ratio. This is just internet regurgitation, but just curios if it could be the wide ratio one. If it is the 5.11 version then I definitely agree about the lousy 3rd gear jump. That is awful. The NP435 is like that as well, and was one of the reasons I went with the close ratio T19 in my ‘81. The jump from 1.00 to 1.41 is very agreeable 🙂 http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/transmissions/manual/t18-t19 Jonathan - I'm not sure of that. Maybe I should check. But, it is coming out anyway as the ZF is going in. And that 3rd gear is really way too low. I take most street corners in 3rd when not towing, so once you are rolling it is really a two-speed tranny. And 4th is good from 25 MPH up, so there isn't much shifting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted April 8, 2018 Share Posted April 8, 2018 Nope. Do you guys think this info might be good to pretty up, add the other transmissions, and put on the website? Yes, I think this would be good to have as a handy reference. Here is some info on the different ratios on the 4 speed overdrive Tremec gear boxes: http://www.f150hub.com/trans/t170-smod-srod-tod.html I'll see what I can do, but you need to keep (get?) me honest as I am not fully up to speed on the transmission options. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ford F834 Posted April 8, 2018 Author Share Posted April 8, 2018 I'll see what I can do, but you need to keep (get?) me honest as I am not fully up to speed on the transmission options. The ZF will be a vast improvement either way because of the overdrive, and even more so if you do have the 5.11 version. 1.79 is a ridiculous gear jump from direct drive. My old T18’s were almost as bad. I am not super knowledgeable on the different transmission applications, but I think we will get the list rounded out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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