Can the STD 4 Speed be converted to ESS ?

Engineer · 05-06-2007, 10:45 PM

Hi All,

I was wondering if the standard 4 speed fitted to the AU II XR8 with the 220kw engine be converted to the ESS system found in the T series cars? If anyone knows if this can be done please let me know

I heard a rumour that it can be done..but I am yet to see it !

Thank you!!

Cheers
Engineer

JC · 05-06-2007, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Engineer

Hi All,

I was wondering if the standard 4 speed fitted to the AU II XR8 with the 220kw engine be converted to the ESS system found in the T series cars? If anyone knows if this can be done please let me know

I heard a rumour that it can be done..but I am yet to see it !

Thank you!!

Cheers
Engineer

Yes - you just need all the wiring etc from a T series, and also need to replace the solenoid that operates for first gear, as the T series one was different. You would also need a T series wheel with the ESS buttons.

FGII-XR6 · 05-06-2007, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC

Yes - you just need all the wiring etc from a T series, and also need to replace the solenoid that operates for first gear, as the T series one was different. You would also need a T series wheel with the ESS buttons.

and the ECU too

nikos · 08-06-2007, 10:37 PM

Is this possible on the I6?

bodes-sh · 09-06-2007, 05:54 PM

yep, JC had a ba shifter hooked up and working on his wagon, which is a 6, same result, different setup

Muzza · 03-09-2007, 05:36 PM

To convert a std 4sp to ESS you will need to swap the valve body. The Tseries gearboxes have a different valvebody...this maintains pressure in first gear. the std valvebody does not.
All the other items (switches etc) are ancillary to this.

I did get ESS working but only for 2-3-4 ... 1st will not work without the lever being in 1st.

I did a lot of investigation and the above was confirmed by a number of sources incl guys specialising on these trans.

FGII-XR6 · 03-09-2007, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muzza

To convert a std 4sp to ESS you will need to swap the valve body. The Tseries gearboxes have a different valvebody...this maintains pressure in first gear. the std valvebody does not.
All the other items (switches etc) are ancillary to this.

I did get ESS working but only for 2-3-4 ... 1st will not work without the lever being in 1st.

I did a lot of investigation and the above was confirmed by a number of sources incl guys specialising on these trans.

not the whole valve body just the 1st gear solenoid frm an ESS car or a BA here is a wheel that might interest you http://cgi.ebay.com.au/MOMO-ford-ste...QQcmdZViewItem

Muzza · 03-09-2007, 07:37 PM

Sorry to disagree, but I disagree... apologies in advance, but....

One service guy I spoke to at length at a Ford dealership replaced a trans in a TS 50 with a standard one... ESS in 1st would not work. They eventually had to replace the valvebody and all worked correctly. The parts catalogue has a different part number for the TS50 gearbox and the valvebody is uniquely listed for the TS50.

There is no 1st gear solenoid.

There is an S1 (solenoid 1) and it together with S2 select the gear position.... these are operated by the ECU... however, it is the valve body that these solenoids are operating in.

In the AU one can operate the electronics remotely and operate the S1/S2 combo to select 1st but it has no pressure.... I've tried this.

A solution would be to replace the std AU valvebody with an Eseries one as that one routes the pressure regardless of shifter position.

I've played around with this heaps in trying to get an ESS shift adapter working and talked to a bunch of people who work on the boxes.

Oh, and the wiring switching as per the TS will not work in the XR, the ECU is not programmed to read the signalling... again, I have tried that.

The reason I have played with this...
I made the SSS shifter adapter a bunch of guys are using in Eseries cars... tried the same thing on AU... found the 1st gear problem.... spent a heap of time trying to sort that... no joy (sorry JC).
I have the Tseries wheel in my car (AU3 XR8) and that's where I tested all the functions.... I do have a pile of these wheels I will eventually offer them with modules to access the two ESS buttons (and keep the radio buttons working as well).... work pressures are keeping me 150% occupied at present... I'll eventually get this together.

FGII-XR6 · 03-09-2007, 08:25 PM

if that is the case you should be able to use a BA valvebody at they are essentially the same tranny

Muzza · 03-09-2007, 09:02 PM

Actually, yes, was advised that BA will work.... that's how they got the SSS working in the BA.
It's a real bugger about the AU... removes a a function that would have been a bunch of fun.

Actually, the version I did with only using 2nd and 3rd was not too bad.

FGII-XR6 · 03-09-2007, 09:07 PM

the point i was making is a ba valvebody should go straight into your AU tranny. if you could pick up a damaged tranny you might get it cheap

Lukeyson · 03-09-2007, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muzza

this maintains pressure in first gear. the std valvebody does not.

i have wondered what difference that would make ?

JC · 03-09-2007, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR8fella

i have wondered what difference that would make ?

At around 50km/h, you end up with a boxful of neutral, and the engine bouncing off the rev limiter (it happened to me when I had the SSS shifter installed).

Muzza - no worries; I know how hard you have worked on this. I will still take one of these for 2-3 only if you have one ready to go.