Suncoast Diesel Category 1 Complete Automatic Transmission, Ford (2011-16) 6R140, 4WD (450hp)

The new 6R140 from from Ford is definitely one of the most exciting drivetrains on the market today. The new 6R140 was released to replaced the previous Torqshift unit, which was the 5R110. The 5R110 was previously used in both the 6.0 and 6.4 Ford diesel engines. When Ford released the 6.7 L Powerstroke powerplant it also released the new much stronger 6R140 Torqshift transmission.

The new Ford 6R140 Torqshift transmission is the most robust transmission Ford has yet to build. This unit was designed and manufactured exclusively by Ford Motor Company. First and foremost, Ford opted to incorporate a robust one-piece bell housing design for the all new 6R140 Torqshift transmission. This new one piece design is not only tough but adds a tremendous amount of rigidity to the case making torsional flex an afterthought. The transmission features a very deep first gear (great for towing and moving mountains) with double overdrive (excellent for fuel economy). This unit has a total of six forward gears with the ratios as follows: 1st gear 3.974:1, 2nd gear 2.318:1, 3rd gear 1.516:1, 4th gear 1.149:1, 5th gear 0.858:1, 6th gear 0.674:1.

For maximum efficiency, the patented Lepelletier geartrain reduces complexities that exist in connecting an automatic transmission's gear sets and clutches. Simply put, the 6R140 uses a simple gearset to drive a Ravigneaux gearset. So the transmission uses just five clutch sets to achieve six forward gears. The 6R140 is further strengthened by the utilization of a powder-metal carrier within the compound Ravigneaux planetary gearset (a double planetary gearset). The carrier is made up of four pressed components, which are sinter-brazed together to form a rigid, dense structure.

The new torque converter in the 6R140 features an exclusive long travel, ultra high capacity turbine damper designed to soften the extreme force produced by the new 6.7 L PowerStroke. Here at SunCoast we have already improved upon this converter, launching our own line of Torque converters including a variety of stall speeds.

The Engineering

When SunCoast first took a look at the 6R140 Torqshift transmission we instantly saw the similarities between the the Ford 6R80 and GM 6L80/6L90 platforms. We new from previous experience the 4-5-6 clutch pack would be the first area that needs to be addressed. The 4-5-6 clutch pack is also known as the "E CLUTCH" and is one of the smallest clutches in the transmission. As we tested our different friction materials and manufactures we saw a pattern develop. The higher the friction coefficient the more violent the shifts become, especially when adding additional torque is in the equation. Often times this creates the 3-4 "squawk" when shifting into 4th gear.

It became very apparent that if we were going to deliver a superior fiction material to our customer, this issue would need to be addressed. We have seen our competitors simply settle for a clutch that has less friction coefficient allowing slip to occur during the shift. while settling on an inferior friction material may be acceptable to some, Ron and the SunCoast development team took a different approach. We decided to take a more scientific approach, and yet another Patent hangs on the wall. . .

The Patent and the Dampener

The 6R140 E clutch hub is designed without any dampener. This makes perfect sense due to the fact that Ford designed the 6R140 Torqshift transmission with the thought process that there would be torque management. With torque management in place we are defueling during shifts essentially pulling the power between shifts. Ford has also designed this with a certain torque limit in mind that most certainly did not have deletes, larger chargers, and aftermarket tuners involved. Couple this along with the removal of torque management and you have created a situation where failure is imminent.

SunCoast has designed a completely new 4-5-6 clutch hub that incorporates a damper assembly that also uses a Sound Reduction/Absorption Technology that eliminates the dreaded squawk and restores shift quality. This new clutch hub damper allows for clean, crisp, and silent gear exchange. This allows us to use much more sophisticated friction materials with higher friction coefficients ensuring longevity and reliability.This new Patented SunCoast E Clutch Hub Damper has seen over 1,000hp reliably. It is only available at SunCoast.

SunCoast has also developed a new 4-5-6 "E" clutch power pack using nine of our custom frictions. This new proprietary SunCoast clutch pack is exclusively designed for our patented clutch hub. This custom SunCoast set-up provides a very clean and crisp shift. The extra capacity in the clutch pack along with the higher friction coefficient provides unmatched performance that cannot be matched by anything else on the planet.

The Heart of Every Shift

The Pump is the heart of the transmission, and with the new Ford 6R140 this could not be more true. The Ford 6R140 Torqshift transmissions often suffer loss of lubrication pressure to the OE converter hub support pump bearing due to a failure of the integral bearing seal. SunCoast has also seen pre-mature internal pump wear with these 6R140 units. This is exaggerated even more dramatically once we start adding power to these vehicles. SunCoast goes a step further and replaces every pump with one of our custom calibrated new Ford Rotorcraft pump, not a reman one from China. SunCoast also goes one step further and Hard Coat anodizes each one to ensure super reliability.

Aluminum Hard Coat Anodizing is similar to standard anodizing in that both are controlled electrochemical processes. The key difference is that Hard Coat Anodizing provides a surface that is not only more wear resistant but also has a much smoother and harder surface than standard anodizing. This process while expensive, promotes lubrication and longevity.

The Brain

If the pump is the heart, than the valve body is definetley the brain of the unit. The Torqshift 6R140 transmission is by far one of the most complex valve bodies on the market today. SunCoast understands how critical these can be, especially when a clutch-to-clutch transmission is involved. Shift timing can be the difference between bind up and flare.

So many times we see old valve bodies used without vacuum testing or even flow testing the solenoids. This will without a doubt contribute to premature failure.

SunCoast installs a brand new Ford Motorcraft valve body complete with all new solenoids, each new transmission. While this may seem expensive to some, it is a necessity here at SunCoast. For this reason when ordering a Ford Torqshift 6R140 unit from us we require that you provide us with a complete VIN # so that we can order the correct new one along with the correct solenoid flow numbers.

OEM Transmission clutches fail in high stress applications due to excessive heat. This heat promotes and accelerates wear and tear that ultimately leads to premature catastrophic failure. SunCoasts Ford transmissions are engineered and built to the highest standards. These transmissions feature proven, better than OEM, aftermarket friction materials, and steel technologies that will hold up in almost any situation.


- This transmission comes with a 3 year unlimited mile warranty
- Torque Converter sold seperately
- Complete VIN required when ordering unit