VH45DE -> TH400 Adaptor

[SuperHatch]

I figured I'd follow in Ezekiel's footsteps and post some info on my adaptor...

Very Very similar to Ezekiel's in design. I worked with Brett Engineering to have an adaptor made for the TH400...

Not to many people care about the typed text and they just want the pictures, so here they are!















The adaptor ring is made of Aluminum, and the thread are helicoiled right from Brett. His customer service is great, he's more than happy to answer questions, and will work with you to get issues sorted out. He also provided me with an engineering drawing for a torque converter that will work with this kit, a TH400, and a stock flexplate.

[sijoko]

Nice work! This definitely opens up some possibilities for transmission swaps. Can this adapter be used on the 4L80E?

[doctorchee]

very nice.

btw, TH400 have 3 gear only?

can i ask:is TH400 suitable for drag only?is TH400 suitable for stree? track?

just curious. last time did consider this gearbox but thought its have limited gear and not suitable for track.

[SuperHatch]

Nice work! This definitely opens up some possibilities for transmission swaps. Can this adapter be used on the 4L80E?

Not sure, you'd have to contact Brett for more info...

[SuperHatch]

very nice.

btw, TH400 have 3 gear only?

can i ask:is TH400 suitable for drag only?is TH400 suitable for stree? track?

just curious. last time did consider this gearbox but thought its have limited gear and not suitable for track.

Yes, a TH400 has only three gears. It is a very strong automatic that can be built to hold rediculous amounts of HP. It is most suitable for drag racing.

Gear Vendors makes an overdrive kit which will give you a 4th gear, but that's really just for highway cruising.

[ScottJackson]

since I'm one of the domestic V8 hot rodder guys on this forum, I'll add that the TH400 is a relatively efficient transmission and all it needs is a good shift kit, torque converter, and 34 element sprag to handle lots and lots of power. Also, keeping the fluid cool is very important and a lot of guys use the John Deere Hy-Gard hydraulic fluid in them to help the clutches grab better. Unless you have a really light car with a LOT of torque and hp, you'll probably go faster with a TH400 than a powerglide (which is a 2 speed). You know what I'd like more than a TH400 adapter is a Ford C4 adapter to VH bell. The C4 is cheap to build, light, and very efficient. It's only good to 800-900hp, but how many VH engines are going to be making more than that anyway? The 4r70W ('98 and newer) are great overdrive transmissions also, but have an integral bellhousing.

[SSDwellah]

I don't know if this is just lore, but I always heard that the TH350 was more efficient than the TH400. Something like the difference between 11% and 13% drivetrain loss, respectively. Also the TH350 can lock up the torque converter at crusing speeds.

I'm not knowcking your choice, I'm just curious if you are looking for more than ~600HP. If not, then the TH350 may be a better choice. I'm not sure if the pattern is the same, if so then great.

Anyway, good luck.

[SuperHatch]

since I'm one of the domestic V8 hot rodder guys on this forum, I'll add that the TH400 is a relatively efficient transmission and all it needs is a good shift kit, torque converter, and 34 element sprag to handle lots and lots of power. Also, keeping the fluid cool is very important and a lot of guys use the John Deere Hy-Gard hydraulic fluid in them to help the clutches grab better. Unless you have a really light car with a LOT of torque and hp, you'll probably go faster with a TH400 than a powerglide (which is a 2 speed). You know what I'd like more than a TH400 adapter is a Ford C4 adapter to VH bell. The C4 is cheap to build, light, and very efficient. It's only good to 800-900hp, but how many VH engines are going to be making more than that anyway? The 4r70W ('98 and newer) are great overdrive transmissions also, but have an integral bellhousing.

Thank you very much for your input. My build is up in the air right now as far as aspiration, but it will be a built, forced induction, VH either with a large single turbo or a large displacement screw type-supercharger. I am leaning more towards the screw type blower for the instant torque and easier packaging, but it can still go either way. HP goal is in the 800-1000HP range.

AMS Makes a C4 adaptor for the RE4R01A -> KA bellhousing in the 240SX. The bellhousing bolt pattern is the same for the RE4R03A and RE4R01A (I have verified this myself), so their kit may work for you.

The Powerglides and TH400 transmissions also have integral bell housings but are typically cut off for use with an ultrabell, which is what bolt pattern this adaptor bolts to.

[SuperHatch]

I don't know if this is just lore, but I always heard that the TH350 was more efficient than the TH400. Something like the difference between 11% and 13% drivetrain loss, respectively. Also the TH350 can lock up the torque converter at crusing speeds.

I'm not knowcking your choice, I'm just curious if you are looking for more than ~600HP. If not, then the TH350 may be a better choice. I'm not sure if the pattern is the same, if so then great.

Anyway, good luck.

That maybe be true, honestly I dont know, but I am building a 100% track only drag car. I wanted strength, reliability, and consistency over anything else.

[SuperHatch]

My first welding project, it's not pretty, but it'll get the job done...



For installing this...

[tmorgan4]

I'm trying to figure out where my project is going over the next year and I think this TH400 is the way to go. First off, do you remember the price of the adapter? I could call them, but it's Sunday and I'm not ready to buy, just curious.

Second, does the Q starter thread in to the bellhousing? I cut off the starter ring on my VH45 block to make the Mazworx adapter work. I hope I don't need a new block to run a new transmission.

[Bart]

very nice.

btw, TH400 have 3 gear only?

can i ask:is TH400 suitable for drag only?is TH400 suitable for stree? track?

just curious. last time did consider this gearbox but thought its have limited gear and not suitable for track.

You could go for a TH700, it has 4 gears but im unsure if it has the same bolt pattern and length of input shaft, im guessing its the same. Other guys here may be more familiar, TH700's are very popular here in Australia and are used in very high power V8's 500+hpIf i ever go auto i would definitly go for this adapter plate, thanks for giving us this option

[SuperHatch]

I'm trying to figure out where my project is going over the next year and I think this TH400 is the way to go. First off, do you remember the price of the adapter? I could call them, but it's Sunday and I'm not ready to buy, just curious.

Second, does the Q starter thread in to the bellhousing? I cut off the starter ring on my VH45 block to make the Mazworx adapter work. I hope I don't need a new block to run a new transmission.

The adaptor is right around the $500 mark, and the Q starter bolts into the block, so if you modded the block for your Mazworks adaptor, this most likely won't work for you.

[tmorgan4]

Bringing this back up....I'm about ready to pull the Nissan transmission and transfer case out of my rig and throw a TH400 in since there's so much aftermarket support in the 4x4 world.

I was looking at bunch of pictures of TH400 an seemed like many didn't have removable bellhousings? Will only certain model TH400 models work? Any idea if this adapter would work with a 4L80E? I've heard it's similar to a TH400 but with overdrive. Not sure if they share any components.

EDIT: A little research and I answered half my question. Looks like a 4L80E and TH400 share the same bolt pattern on the bellhousing. This is looking better and better.....

[SuperHatch]

Bringing this back up....I'm about ready to pull the Nissan transmission and transfer case out of my rig and throw a TH400 in since there's so much aftermarket support in the 4x4 world.

I was looking at bunch of pictures of TH400 an seemed like many didn't have removable bellhousings? Will only certain model TH400 models work? Any idea if this adapter would work with a 4L80E? I've heard it's similar to a TH400 but with overdrive. Not sure if they share any components.

EDIT: A little research and I answered half my question. Looks like a 4L80E and TH400 share the same bolt pattern on the bellhousing. This is looking better and better.....

None of the TH400's have removeable bellhousings, the bell is cast as part of the transmission case. What Brett does it use a TH400 that has been modified for a JW ultrabell, but then uses an adaptor and the stock nissan bell instead. Any auto trans manufacturer that will mod a TH400 for an ultrabell (a common mod) can provide you with a TH400 that will work with this kit.

Brett also sells 4L80E kits. They became available after I had purchased my kit, but I probably wouldn't have bough one anyway. More gears = more parts = more potential for breakage. I actually almost went with a 'glide.

Tyler, feel free to email me or keep postinghere about this, the swap was fairly straight forward, but I did hit quite a few obstacles that I never posted about.

[tmorgan4]

That answers a lot! I'm glad you're around to answer questions but I'll try not to waste your time with too many dumb ones. I still can't decide whether I want to keep the Nissan transmission and buy a $600-$1000 adapter to use a different transfer case, or just sell my setup with the Mazworx adapter, and go to a TH400 or 4L80E with a manual valve-body. I just like driving manuals too much but they really aren't practical in the rocks.

I guess I've got plenty of time to decide. I'll definitely be getting in touch with you for some help if I decide to go this route.

[sijoko]

So, let me get this straight. It is possible to use the 4L80E with the adapter on the VH45DE. Cool.

My LevelTen rebuild is getting old and I need to consider my trans options.

[SuperHatch]

So, let me get this straight. It is possible to use the 4L80E with the adapter on the VH45DE. Cool.

My LevelTen rebuild is getting old and I need to consider my trans options.

That is correct!

[SuperHatch]

That answers a lot! I'm glad you're around to answer questions but I'll try not to waste your time with too many dumb ones. I still can't decide whether I want to keep the Nissan transmission and buy a $600-$1000 adapter to use a different transfer case, or just sell my setup with the Mazworx adapter, and go to a TH400 or 4L80E with a manual valve-body. I just like driving manuals too much but they really aren't practical in the rocks.

I guess I've got plenty of time to decide. I'll definitely be getting in touch with you for some help if I decide to go this route.

I'm here to help...

[darinz]

You could go for a TH700, it has 4 gears but im unsure if it has the same bolt pattern and length of input shaft, im guessing its the same. Other guys here may be more familiar, TH700's are very popular here in Australia and are used in very high power V8's 500+hpIf i ever go auto i would definitly go for this adapter plate, thanks for giving us this option

The Nissan trans is stronger than a 700r4. I looked into this and the cost of doing a 700r4 is more than starting wth the factory trans. Since you're in Oz then just talk to Rodney at Wholesale Automatics in Melbourne. He does heaps of them for Patrols and I'm using his stuff in mine. All I can say if it can handle how I'm treating mine then it will handle most abuse. ie change on redline at fullthottle with wheels spinning (all 4 that is). This is done basically ever time I drive it!

[darinz]

Bringing this back up....I'm about ready to pull the Nissan transmission and transfer case out of my rig and throw a TH400 in since there's so much aftermarket support in the 4x4 world.

I was looking at bunch of pictures of TH400 an seemed like many didn't have removable bellhousings? Will only certain model TH400 models work? Any idea if this adapter would work with a 4L80E? I've heard it's similar to a TH400 but with overdrive. Not sure if they share any components.

EDIT: A little research and I answered half my question. Looks like a 4L80E and TH400 share the same bolt pattern on the bellhousing. This is looking better and better.....

I like the sound of this for the same reason. I can sell my RE trans for good money then fit a TH400 and then have a huge range of T-Cases to choose from. I need PTO for new winch project and the Nissan PTO is only good for limited HP at I want to be able to put about 300hp to the winch.

[txQ45]

For those of you who haven't keep up with the RE4R03A (Q45, 300zx Turbo transmission). There are now mods including a reverser manual valve body that puts the Re4Ro3A in the 800- 1000hp range.. And you get to keep 4th gear which the Th400 dosen't have unless you want to send another $2500.http://www.aaa-hiperformanceauto.com offers the mods.

[[200]]

Sorry for bumping an old thread up but where did you get these made? I am looking at buying one myself.
Thanks

edit, l2rear... bde ....

[ISL33P]

I actually have Ezekial's powerglide adaptor but I am looking at moving to a th400. How did this end up going?

I want one!