16' TT TH400 Swap Full Build

[DeadSpool]

I finally decided to make the change from a fully built 6r80 wanted something simple and reliable so this TH400 build got underway. A friend was selling a TH400 that he had built by JH Transmissions in Edmonton for his terminator, but he never got around to installing it. I scooped that up along with his new Derale 13870 Trans cooler. I ordered most other parts through JPCracing and CircleD in the middle of November 2024 and had them shipped to a US border store so I could haul everything back to Alberta over Christmas.

I miss how busy car forums used to be before so many people started going to FB groups. There was so many great How To posts with detailed writeups that got me through projects over the years. Just cant get the detail on a fb groups so I wanted to make a contribution with this thread. I will try to update it as I install throughout this winter.

TH400 Build Sheet

From Mike Riddle @jpcracing I ordered their Th400 Completion Kit minus the converter and a bunch of other stuff.
-M&M Co2 reverse pattern 3spd shifter w/Polished handle
-PST Carbon driveshaft
-Trans Mount/ DS Loop
-Proformance dual dumpvalve
-Derale 13870 cooler w/ptfe hose & Fragola fittiings
-Mike Thomas Fab shifter mount
-AEM autometer X Temp gauge
-Remote Dipstick
-SFI Flexplate w/pilot adapter

Converter was ordered from Dan Palmari @CircleD - TH400 Pro series Bolt together 252mm
Smooth Stager and EVAP delete fitting from @BeefcakeRacing
Extra PTFE hose and fittings from @Racetronix

All of those guys are great to deal with and the companies are great!

Next up, Installing the coolers.

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[DeadSpool]

Trans Cooler Install

Two Derale 13870 800cfm trans coolers plumbed in Parallel, wired up to a temperature switch which will turn on at 160f and off at 145f. Also wired a relay so that I can run an LED switch to the center console so I can override to force the fans on.

Before I could start the install I had to remove the factory Evap system then figure out how I wanted to mount the coolers.

I cut the evap lines and unbolted the cannister, got two 3/8" brass one-way industrial check valves with a couple different sizes 3/8" barb fittings for the tank and neck vents. The factory had them connected with a hard Y but i wanted to tuck them out of the way.


I went to a local fab shop and got them to cut me a 28.5x9.5" piece of 3/16" aluminum plate. I used 4 M8 rivetnuts in the spare tire well, used .5" rubber spacers to mount the plate where I wanted the coolers. Then mounted the coolers with more rubber spacers, now if I ever want to take a cooler off for any reason it simply pops right off without touching the mount.

They tucked up very nicely out of the way, here it is from eye level:

I started plumbing and got the IN lines done to the Tee along with temperature switch, but waiting on my Racetronix order for more PTFE line an fittings for the OUT lines to the Tee. Also pressure testing all lines as I build them.

For the wiring as I said I wanted a switch that I could force the fans on and override the temperature switch as well as have an LED indicator. For that I built a relay which I'll post drawings of in the future.

Since my Fore FR3 fuel pump controller was just behind my rear seat delete I figured that would be a perfect place to draw power from for the fans. In order to do that properly I added a power distribution box and cut my 4awg power wire before it gets to the fuel controller, then crimped on new terminals.

I then had old Dynamat Xtreme from my old terminator days so used that on the spare tire area, added like 1lb.

I used all Deutsch connectors as well as a 6-pin bulkhead connector for it to go through the floor. Now each fan has its own connector for easy removal underneath as well as the relay and wiring up top.

Finished product - The previous owner had an meth tank so when I'm on the street I use the opening to store my chute cable, race jacket, gloves, etc.

I'm happy so far with the turnout, there is so much more to go with this swap so stay tuned and I'll do my best to document it.

All the wiring is done from the trunk area, just plumbing to finish but that's for my next days off!

 

[Joshinator99]

Very nice! I had this decision come up this past fall with my Camaro… build the OEM 8 speed or go TH400. I decided to give a built 8L90 a try along with a Circle D converter but totally understand why people go TH400… pretty bulletproof! I’m assuming this 400 you need to shift yourself?

 

[DeadSpool]

Very nice! I had this decision come up this past fall with my Camaro… build the OEM 8 speed or go TH400. I decided to give a built 8L90 a try along with a Circle D converter but totally understand why people go TH400… pretty bulletproof! I’m assuming this 400 you need to shift yourself?

Oh thats awesome! Its a manual valve body so yes, but I already run co2 for my boost control so it will upshift with co2. Also hooking it up to my paddle shifter so I can shift without taking hands off steering wheel.

 

[80FoxCoupe]

Oh thats awesome! Its a manual valve body so yes, but I already run co2 for my boost control so it will upshift with co2. Also hooking it up to my paddle shifter so I can shift without taking hands off steering wheel.

Do you have rpm signal into the boost controller? Does it have a shift output? I have used a Raptor shift light, and more recently a Digital Delay box to shift mine.

 

[DeadSpool]

Do you have rpm signal into the boost controller? Does it have a shift output? I have used a Raptor shift light, and more recently a Digital Delay box to shift mine.

I don’t, I’m still running a boost leash. I haven’t changed over to a better boost controller like an ams2000 or anything yet as I haven’t decided if in the future if I’ll want to ditch oem and go full stand-alone. I can install a raptor light and just manually shift it for next season.

 

[80FoxCoupe]

The Raptor light has an output and will actuate an airshifter.

 

[DeadSpool]

The Raptor light has an output and will actuate an airshifter.

I didn’t know that thanks. Guess I could use the paddle shifter on the street and the shift light for the track then if I wanted.

 

[80FoxCoupe]

I didn’t know that thanks. Guess I could use the paddle shifter on the street and the shift light for the track then if I wanted.

You absolutely can. Clicking the shifter with your hand is much more satisfying than a paddle that can easily be double tapped.

 

[DeadSpool]

You absolutely can. Clicking the shifter with your hand is much more satisfying than a paddle that can easily be double tapped.

You absolutely can. Clicking the shifter with your hand is much more satisfying than a paddle that can easily be double tapped.

Good point thanks man! I was checking them out, guess I’d need a dual light with aux out and just not hook up the launch control since I won’t be using that? Don’t think the singles come with an aux out besides for bikes or did I miss something?

 

[80FoxCoupe]

Good point thanks man! I was checking them out, guess I’d need a dual light with aux out and just not hook up the launch control since I won’t be using that? Don’t think the singles come with an aux out besides for bikes or did I miss something?

Select this version. With optional output. Your transbrake can trigger multiple devices such as brake and boost controller. The shift light will simply click the shifter at the predetermined RPM. I installed a microswitch on the shifter to disconnect the shift signal in high gear. This allows rpm at the stripe to exceed the shift rpm and not have the air hitting the shifter.

https://www.raptorperformance.com/products/shift-light-raptor-single-mode-shift-light-gen-ii

 

[DeadSpool]

Select this version. With optional output. Your transbrake can trigger multiple devices such as brake and boost controller. The shift light will simply click the shifter at the predetermined RPM. I installed a microswitch on the shifter to disconnect the shift signal in high gear. This allows rpm at the stripe to exceed the shift rpm and not have the air hitting the shifter.

https://www.raptorperformance.com/products/shift-light-raptor-single-mode-shift-light-gen-ii

Ok perfect, I'll order one up. Thats a good idea about 3rd gear, You happen to have a link for type of microswitch you used and how did you set it up? have any drawings?

 

[80FoxCoupe]

Ok perfect, I'll order one up. Thats a good idea about 3rd gear, You happen to have a link for type of microswitch you used and how did you set it up? have any drawings?

Just a standard generic 12v microswitch mounted on the shifter body with a small bracket. Lower body of shifter hits microswitch in high gear, which disconnects the signal wire (gnd) from raptor to air shift relay.

 

[80FoxCoupe]

Also you won't need the pilot adapter as the converter snout simply slides into the JPC flexplate.

 

[DeadSpool]

Just a standard generic 12v microswitch mounted on the shifter body with a small bracket. Lower body of shifter hits microswitch in high gear, which disconnects the signal wire (gnd) from raptor to air shift relay.

Excellent, that’s a good idea thanks.

Also, I call the flexplate hub the pilot adapter. lol

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