I'm looking into trannies for my stock 351 windsor. I'd prefer a four speed on the floor with or without overdrive, i dont' care. Wondering what a lot of you 351 guys are running?
I started out with a C4 and upgraded to an AOD , (55 F100 mld 351 9 inch 31 inch tall rear tires) With the C4 I ran 3.00:1 gears, with AOD 4:11s. Both trans' were/are great. I run slightly lower RPM at hiway speeds with the AOD set up. I read that C4s take about 30 hp to run, C6s 60 hp, if that is a consideration. No idea what hp the AOD eats.
I always used a C4 but have seen many use a C6 & a FMX . A 4 speed is nice but a good T5 will be a lot cheaper . A good top loader is around $800-$1200 and higher ! If I am going with a clutch I would buy the T5 !
40 sedan, 351W, AOD, 3.50 9 inch . 70 mph is about 1800 rpm , good combination for all around city/highway. Started with a C4 but wouldn't want to go back. Ron
Toploader 4-over in my '79 Tang. Now I have a M5 out of a '95 pickup to hook to a 351 for my '61 Uni. Made for Ford by Mazda, hence the M in the name, I suppose.
I'd be a little leary of a T5 (other than some higher-dollar one) behind alot of 351's (even stock ones). They can only take in the ballpark of 300 ft-lbs of torque. Of course driving style plays alot into it (I had a friend that broke 'em like glass with a "basic mods" 5.0; 'course he drives like an asshole)... Ford ditched them in the 351W Cobra R's for a Tremec. I'm biased, I like Toploaders, overdrives are expensive and it takes the "wonder if my transmission will hold" worries away. Got one in the Galaxie and got one for the Model A. I've had a FMX and a C4 behind a Cleveland... If I didn't have either, I'd go with a C4. But my FMX was plenty fine and I didn't have any money in it past a shift kit (that made it shift BRUTAL... Shit would just go flyin' every which direction inside the car) and a little bit of a converter. The AOD is based off the FMX is based of the Cruise-o.... They all are about the same shape and size. No reason to use a C6 unless you got one, IMO.
That must be an FMX thing. Had a 69 Torino GT with an FMX w/ shift kit and a 351W and that thing would chirp the tires even during normal driving.
fmx trannys are boat anchors. they weigh a ton and the choices for perfomance parts are realtively limited when compared to the c4 or c6. an AOD is another choice for an auto tranny. just make sure you correctly hook up the kickdown or you will destroy the tranny.(they make aftermarket kits for the linkage) If you want to go with a stick the toploader 4 speeds are king but will cost you a fortune. a t5 is nice but do some research different trannys are rated different. this site is a good reference for the t5 http://www.allfordmustangs.com/Detailed/349.shtml t5's will handle a stock or even decently modified 351W or 5.0 if you drive it right but powershifting it will cause major problems.
I'm not really into putting an automatic in my truck, wondering what a good 4 spd manual would be be? I've been searching around google for ford trans info, but all the different versions and codes are making my headache. What'll you all runnin' in the 351 in terms of manual boxes?
I just picked up a 351W with the C4 attached. I already have a T-10 4 speed that was in my falcon. Not sure which I will be running.
I have a stock Mustang T-5 in my Comet 4:56 locker big slicks 2800 lb car 3500 rpm launches 1' wheelies havent broke it yet
The torque ratings are 100,000 mile continuous duty ratings, not instantaneous shock ratings, how-much-power-your-engine makes ratings, or anything else and are virtually useless except to compare one T5 to another. T5 are stronger than they get credit for, but certainly have their well-known weaknesses. Not uncommon to find T5 living in this type of environment. When assembled correctly (and it happened on occasion stock ), they live fine to about 400hp or so...even at the strip. FWIW, I've run FMX, C6, and T5 behind the various 351W I've owned...
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