will probably go this route whenver I get the money saved up. RVMB, and hopefully trans-brake... was wondering who you guys went with, what shifter, and what you did about a driveshaft..... I'm not sure what converter I'd like to go with since I'm running a 4000 now. I know the Th400 is a different animal, and need to figure out how it will change my setup and what speed would be optimal. I want the biggest I can handle with my valvetrain and not going 6800 rpms at the end of the traps.

 looking at the hurst Quarter stick, B&M pro ratchet, and B&M pro stick shifters.......

what did you modify to get the shifter to work with the A4 console?

will likely keep stock flexplate, and get a Lokar dipstick.

Did you have to tune anything trans related out?

G

I went from M6 to Th400 so can't help you much on all of your questions.  I got the same shifter MM did, pro rachet I think...love the way it works as it's just two bumps and you are slowing down at the end of the track. Again I copied MM and fit it under my M6 stuff. 

D/S I had standard parts make mine (233-8321) they are off Commerce/Maury-ish. Just got a steel D/S, the thicker one to be safe.  Make sure you know whether you have a truck trans (better as lower 1st gear) or not as this will tell you which yoke you need.  Truck trans yoke needs a relief cut about 3/4" down the inside of the yoke for it to fully engage into the back of the trans and give you the travel you need for launching (D/S moves in towards tranny when launching, bottoming out is baaad)

I would let Yank or the like tell you what converter you need but know of a guy who seems to be whooping butt with his Th400......better than I did and no turbo....dangit.  Truck trans fyi

Definitely definitely get the Tbrake, just plain awesome and helps you get good, consistent launches not to mention faster (usually), just make sure you decide before getting stall as this will change the stall specs....they will make it tighter for use with a tBrake....which again is another benefit for a street car.  Also don't do as I did and skimp on the converter.  I think you have been around the block long enough to know that though.

Lokar is a good dipstick, make sure you get the longer one...36" I think versus 24" or whatever.....it's just the number at the end of the standard p/n that's different....think it's got a 36 lol

There is a good post on tech about what to do for the A4 to Th400 swap that may have the tuning and fitment answers you need....it's a sticky in the trans forum.

 what do you mean 2-bumps to get the car to slow down? From what I understand with a Rmvb theres no engine braking. How much did standard parts charge to make your driveshaft? Did you use the M6 crossmember? Who built your trans? I know it's better to get the 2.75 first but it seems that most people have the 2.48 first. I hate the idea of losing my 3.06 first now.

 I see Ray wants to make a change already? What's up Ray? 

Oh, I think MM has the quicksilver shifter, is that what you have too? I dont really care about hacking up my a4 console as long as it works.

thanks for the other tips J.

Sorry didn't mean that bump thing to be confusing...I was just saying - launch, bump once for second, bump again for third then the run is over....slow down a bit in 3rd and before making turn bump into second.

Mine did not have engine breaking in 2nd or 3rd I believe....so you just can't be wot/max mph in 3rd and drop it into 2nd or it will over spin the hub or whatever and do bad things.  It's actually nice because on the highway if you slow down some you can bump it into second then floor it...and whomever is beside you never heard you downshift.  I can't remember as it has been so long but I think 1st was similar to a manual car aka engine braking so around town I would usually just go from 3rd to 2nd around non-stopping turns and the car had plenty of get-up with the stall.  I only went into 1st when I was stopped or close to it....but it was so low you almost had to anyways.

Can't remember exact price but want to say $250ish....you may be better off getting something from Denny's price/quality wise although I had zero problems with mine and they made it in a day.

Yes I used the M6 crossmember with the standard th400/350 mount from performance dynamics...you do have to put about an inch worth of spacers to get the tranny level/pinion angle correct.

Don't know the guy's name who built mine, I never actually met him...it was all done through my cousin...one of his racing friends from the track.  The guy has been MIA for awhile now.  Stewart Burcham gave me a really good price on building one...have heard good things about his builds, pm if you want his number.

Quicksilver yea that's it, great shifter...I haven't fooled with my car in over two years so all this has been washed away with beer.

ray is looking to get rid of jarrods 400 this winter to step into an 80.

 yall need to talk

yes I'd be very interested in Ray's 400 this winter, like after Christmas time if he's in no hurry to let go of it. House mods FTL. I think the converter he has would be alright.

What shifter was he running?

If I can find out what I wanna do soon I'll go ahead and sell my SS4000, but damn it's been a great converter.

everyone has a quicksilver

 ill look into it. why did you guys choose that one? it hasnt seemed to be that popular. would it work with an A4 console? all you used the M6 and made a boot with it right?

found a M6 crossmember for the cheap, will space it and probably use an Energy Suspension mount.

leaning towards the B&M Pro-ratchet or Magnum or/Hurst Pistol Grip. I just cant make my mind up.

would like Ray to chime in sometime.

hello?

Z-Rated:

yes I'd be very interested in Ray's 400 this winter, like after Christmas time if he's in no hurry to let go of it. House mods FTL. I think the converter he has would be alright.

What shifter was he running?

If I can find out what I wanna do soon I'll go ahead and sell my SS4000, but damn it's been a great converter.

 It will probably be that long until I'm ready to step up to the 80e.  Call me to talk sometime (804)814-6526.  Anytime after 5:30 is usually preferable

 thanks Ray.  I'll be coming to RD Friday so Ill catch you then if I dont call you beforehand.

little update: dang the board is dead.......

have everything I need to get started, just waiting till I finish my electrical install in my garage. WIth the way the weather's been havent been able to get the trench dug to run the feeder line.

got all my parts sorted:

I found a short tail TH400 on racing junk that was freshly rebuilt and was holdling strong in a low 8 second Chevy Nova.

It has a Hipster transbrake and reverse manual valvebody.

I bought a th400/LS1 converter from FTI on Ls1tech when they had their Christmas sale. saved a good $100 doing that. They recommended a 4600 stall but I chickened out and went with their SST-89-0 (4200) stall rather than the SST-89-6. It's claimed to be more efficient than the Yanks, and is guaranteed for the nitrous to not blow through the converter. (2000HP capable)

I got a new longer driveshaft from Eric @ Midwest for rather cheap and went with the B&M Pro Ratchet shifter. got a B&M transbrake switch, Lokar 36" flexible dipstick, and deep B&M Trans Pan.

I should and hope to have it ready by late Feb. Just not alot of time right now.

Any of you current Th400 guys give me any pointers on which way you did the speedo wiring? use the front ABS sensor? how'd you go about running the wires?

I used the front abs sensor... It doesn't matter which way the two wires are hooked up.  Give me a call if you have any questions with it.

My biggest tip to you is to have someone there who is capable of lifting the transmission off of you when you are putting that SOB under the car... I got all He-Man one night and decided I was going to drop the trans and replace the converter seal by myself.  NEVER AGAIN.  All went well until while reinstalling I ended up with TH400 sliding off a floor jack.  Then the "HOLY HELL, I'VE GOT T-REX ARMS AND HAVE TO BENCH PRESS A 200LB TRANSMISSION OFF MY CHEST - FML" internal monologue ensued...  Eff that noise. 

  I hear ya. I dont know what I'll have to do about getting it in, no one around here really that can lend a hand. I may make a bracket to give a little more stability, or have an idea of cutting up an old rhino ramp and sliding it up an then lifting it from inside the ramp. Got the 60E out by myself fine but lifting it is another issue.

did you have to extend the wire to reach the front sensor? did you use the driver or passenger side?