I need some help. I am swapping out the straight six in my shoebox for a 302. I have access to both a C-4 and AOD transmissions. One friend tells me to use the AOD for better gas mileage. My other friend says C-4, "it's a hot rod". What opinions or info do you guys have? Gas mileage? Installation? etc? Thanks, in advance!
There have been number of threads on this recently. I have an AOD in once car and c4 in another. If you have built up your motor and your peak power is at a high RPM,the AOD might not make you happy. It will shift too early, and it's hard to manually control the gears. With a carb and AOD, you have to be super careful adjusting the kick-down cable (or whatever it's called) or the trans will eat itself in a week. The AOD has better acceleration from a stop and better mileage. They install about the same. Good luck on the switch over.
The C4 is smaller, and substantially lighter. If it really is a hot rod, and the practicality aspect is not too important, the C4 is likely to be cheaper and easier, but you will have to compromise on either low-gear multiplication or rpm at cruise (maybe both). If you want to have great dig from a start and be able to loaf along on the highway as well, the AOD is your choice. I have two cars with AOD transmissions. They run 3.90 and 4.57 rear gears and 30 inch tires. The get busy quickly from a stop, and can cruise at highway speeds easily. Both cars had C4 transmissions before, and I like the AODs better.
Agreed. Agreed. Loved my T-5 behind my 302...had the C4 slushbox prior...the C4 was a power robbing little bastard.
I opted for a toploader personally...but I would say AOD if you were going for a cruiser as previously stated. The kick down lever or cable that Spyder is talking about can be a pain, but if it is a stock-ish build they arent to bad.
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