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C4 or C6 behind 351 Windsor

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by ol fueler, Sep 8, 2013.

  1. ol fueler
    Joined: Oct 6, 2005
    Posts: 935

    ol fueler
    Member

    My 351 Windsor engine had a FMX tranny behind it, It is history , did not hold up well behind a 3/4 race 362 inch Windsor!
    What would it require in the way of changing what to put a C 4 or C6 in it's place. I have neither of these tranmissions now so an eyeball comparison is not possible. Got to be a Ford guru that knows exactly what I need to know. Thanks
     
  2. 327Eric
    Joined: May 9, 2008
    Posts: 2,116

    327Eric
    Member

    get a small block C6 from an early 70's 351 Cleveland car. Mine came from a 74 Ranchero, 351 Cleveland 4v car.
     
  3. ol fueler
    Joined: Oct 6, 2005
    Posts: 935

    ol fueler
    Member

    Thanks . Now all I need do is find one.
     
  4. powrshftr
    Joined: Mar 29, 2013
    Posts: 4,543

    powrshftr
    Member

    C6 will just cost you more and be next to impossible to find.Just pick up a beefed up C4 from any reputable shop.
    Tons of guys run them behind 460+ ci drag motors with zero issues.


    Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
     

  5. 65COMET
    Joined: Apr 10, 2007
    Posts: 3,086

    65COMET
    Member

    ol fueler;find a 75 to late 80s Ford Van with a 351W in it,they used C-6s until the AOD came along!!A C-4 with good parts should hold up fine,I know a few people running them behind FEs and 385 series engines! ROY.
     
  6. rebelrat
    Joined: Aug 26, 2008
    Posts: 448

    rebelrat
    Member

    I run a TCI C4 behind a 11.004 sec 118 mph 351m.......(see avatar) has reversed full manual shift .......I was told Not to use trans brake as they are hard on parts......so far I have had no problems and still have more in it...........
     
  7. snaptwo
    Joined: Apr 25, 2011
    Posts: 696

    snaptwo
    Member

    C-4 is one tough little critter! Pan fill V/8 trucks are supposed be the good core.
     
  8. mattrod68
    Joined: Jan 22, 2007
    Posts: 517

    mattrod68
    Member

    c6 will eat up more power, c4 with quality parts will be plenty strong for what ever you can throw at it.

    matt
     
  9. tjm73
    Joined: Feb 17, 2006
    Posts: 3,484

    tjm73
    Member

    A properly built C4 will hold up and pass power through with less loss to parasitic drag. Talk to a local builder that puts together real trannys not just rebuilds. Or join a late model Mustang webboard and ask some questions after searching for some info.

    Things I'd do is a 6 pinion sungear, HD clutches, HD input shaft, HD output yoke.

    Will you be running it as a full manual shift or automatic shifting.
     
  10. tylercrawford
    Joined: Jan 30, 2011
    Posts: 726

    tylercrawford
    Member
    from Buford, GA
    1. S.F.C.C.

    Post up your HP, weight, and what you plan on doing with it . . .

    c4s won't last long with more than 700hp or so and a heavy car (3300lbs+)

    these guys are the among the best c4 builders out there:

    http://www.dynamicracingtrans.com/fordtranny.htm
     
  11. tjm73
    Joined: Feb 17, 2006
    Posts: 3,484

    tjm73
    Member

    Bull. Thousands live behind that much power and more.

    If you are worried about it, PA Automatics makes a lifetime warranty C4.
     
  12. Buddy Palumbo
    Joined: Mar 30, 2008
    Posts: 3,871

    Buddy Palumbo
    Member

    I'll agree - a fresh C4 will work fine for ya .
     
  13. mustang6147
    Joined: Feb 26, 2010
    Posts: 1,847

    mustang6147
    Member
    from Kent, Ohio

    C4...

    C6 is the wrong answer. To big, To Heavy....

    I used a C4 out of a 78 Granada.... Used the transgo rebuild kit, billet servo cover, high volume pump, and a Cheetah farward shift manual valve body with trans brake. I put about 750hp through it for 8 years and it never failed, detuned the engine, and sold it, and is still runnin today...

    polaris6147 on youtube
     
  14. 302aod
    Joined: Dec 19, 2011
    Posts: 275

    302aod
    Member
    from Pelham,Tn.

    Seems like everybody says c4, but my 81 F150 came with a C6 and a 300 six which has the same bellhousing pattern as a 302-351w. Many pickups came with 300s. My c6 has run over 245k and was never even serviced. I took out the 300 and replaced it with a 302 several years ago.
     
  15. telecaster_6
    Joined: Dec 8, 2001
    Posts: 617

    telecaster_6
    Member

    A proper build c4 can easily handle upwards of 1000hp of drag racing abuse, and is about half the size and weight of a C6. I ran one behind a 650 hp big block in my old model A with no problems.
     
  16. ol fueler
    Joined: Oct 6, 2005
    Posts: 935

    ol fueler
    Member

    Thanks everybody for all the rapid answers. Looks like it will be a C4 for me. The engine should pump out about 300 --325 horses I would guess.
     
  17. Don's Hot Rods
    Joined: Oct 7, 2005
    Posts: 8,319

    Don's Hot Rods
    Member
    from florida

    Like everyone else posted, a properly built C4 is a much better choice. Smaller by a long shot and things like header and floorpan clearance is much better. My Son is going to use one behind a 514 BBF in his Capri. We had a C6 in there first of all and the C4 just fits so much better.

    Don
     
  18. 40FordGuy
    Joined: Mar 24, 2008
    Posts: 2,907

    40FordGuy
    Member

    C4 are plentiful, and work very well with a 351 W. Ford put C6 trans behind some small block powered vans in the 70's.

    4TTRUK
     
  19. acme30
    Joined: Jun 13, 2011
    Posts: 271

    acme30
    Member
    from Australia

    I have Windsor 408 stroker with just under 400hp (not a guess) in a 1930 coupe, matched to a pan fill C4 no issues what so ever with it.:):) It is in the coupe in a the avatar. Mine only sees street use but I have no doubt the gearbox would handle strip use.
     
    Last edited: Sep 9, 2013
  20. powrshftr
    Joined: Mar 29, 2013
    Posts: 4,543

    powrshftr
    Member

    You'll have no worries with the c4 and 325hp.It will live for a hundred years.
    And as others have said,you'll be thanking yourself later on for the extra space to run your exhaust,get at your master cyl,etc.


    Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
     
  21. OLDSMAN
    Joined: Jul 20, 2006
    Posts: 2,422

    OLDSMAN
    BANNED

    I have built C-4's for a guy here that drag races using a 427 inch 351 windsor for an engine. They hold up under that abuse, so will work just fine for street applications
     
  22. tylercrawford
    Joined: Jan 30, 2011
    Posts: 726

    tylercrawford
    Member
    from Buford, GA
    1. S.F.C.C.


    Really, PA?

    They make decent 600hp c4s but thats it. PA isn't even close to being on top of the heap for c4s

    I don't post a lot on here because the only "on topic" car I have is a FED but I've worked on stock suspension mustangs, x275 cars and a true 10.5 car.

    You'll have to name me off all the SS/10.5 cars you've worked on that had c4s.

    c4s are in no way, shape or form 800hp+ reliable transmissions. You can get them to last 10-15 passes out past 800 or so but you can't get enough clutches in them. ANYONE who races late model stuff goes to a TH400 once you get past the 800 mark. The dynamic x6 is the only c4 I know of that will last several passes out past 800hp and even they recommend getting the thing rebuilt every year and thats on a drag ONLY car.
     
    Last edited: Sep 9, 2013
  23. ol fueler
    Joined: Oct 6, 2005
    Posts: 935

    ol fueler
    Member

    I promise My car has no designs on being a 10.5 car --Ever !!
    Thanks again for All the good advice , I know it is dumb of me to not know what fits what in the Ford line , but I know a lot more about Fords with Mopar hemi power than with Ford engines . The Car in question is my Daily driver Ranchero that right now is in the dispensary.
     
    Last edited: Sep 9, 2013
  24. tylercrawford
    Joined: Jan 30, 2011
    Posts: 726

    tylercrawford
    Member
    from Buford, GA
    1. S.F.C.C.

    :D you'll be fine with a c4

    I just think if you want to start dipping into the 8s in the quarter you are much better off with a turbo 400 or a glide.
     
  25. derbydad276
    Joined: May 29, 2011
    Posts: 1,336

    derbydad276
    Member

  26. ol fueler
    Joined: Oct 6, 2005
    Posts: 935

    ol fueler
    Member

    Thanks , I think , but the link shows up as invalid?
     
  27. A C6 will have more ultimate strength, but the bulk mentioned is a harder 'fit'. They also have higher internal parasitic loss, which is why Ford finally quit making them. A well-built C4 will hold up to most any street application, but does need premium parts once you go much past about 300hp. The AOD is another choice; again, for performance use it needs premium parts, but the OD is a nice option.
     
  28. 61 Fairlane
    Joined: Feb 10, 2006
    Posts: 311

    61 Fairlane
    Member

    My buddy has been running a PA C4 in his high 9 second 63 Galaxie for years, there probably pics of the car wheels up on Quarter Aces website.
    Another friend has one in his 61 Galaxie. PA C4s hold up fine in 3000 lb cars.
    The original poster is only running 300 plus hp, a C4 will be just fine, he doesnt even need a PA trans, just a well built C4
     
  29. I had a C4 behind my 351W in my OT '68 Mustang. I attempted to use the FMX, but that came with floor pan interference issues. The C4 is real small, light and easier to work on than the C6.

    Bob
     
  30. Nick Flores
    Joined: Aug 13, 2009
    Posts: 1,357

    Nick Flores
    Member

    I've been beating the heck out of a C4 behind a pretty mild Windsor motor in my '64 F100 for the better part of two years with exactly zero issues. Probably have 25 passes down the dragstrip and a bunch of ridiculous daily driving.
     
    Pyro Chuck likes this.

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