AOD to C4 Swap Questions

[5ohMustang]

I have an '89 GT w/ AOD. I was originally going to swap in a T5 and have all the parts needed for it, but since my g/f still wants to be able to drive the car, I'm looking into a C4. I've done searches and just want some confirmation here. From what I've gathered, to do this swap into my AOD stang, I need the C4, a C4 Bell housing, new valve body, and a new converter. Is there anything else I need to buy or is this all? Also, how much power can a stock C4 handle?
Thanks,
Brian

 

[5ohMustang]

Anybody???

 

[nitrousED]

a flexplate and im not sure if you can use the aod shifter or not

 

[351LX]

There is a good article on Mustang central which covers the various C-4's which is worth reading http://www.mustangcentral.net/tech/c4.html and also check out this Ford Muscle article covering what is required for different power levels http://www.fordmuscle.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?topic=9911&forum=13&25 Your AOD will have a 164 tooth flexplate.If you find a C-4 with a 164 tooth bellhousing you can re-use your current flexplate and blockplate(but you might have to drill a couple holes in the lower part of the blockplate to line up with the C-4 holes).If you find a 157 tooth C-4 then you have to change the blockplate and flexplate.157 tooth flexplates with the 50 oz balance that 302's use after 1981 are only available in the aftermarket so you can save some money using a 164 tooth C-4.You will need a converter that matches the flexplate converter pattern and transmission input shaft count.Valve body choices are up to you, people seem to like the Trans-go reprogramming kits.Starter,mount and driveshafts are the same so you can re-use those.C-4 shift levers are different if they are from a column or floor shift vehicle so unless you find one at a wrecker with the matching floor shifter count on getting an aftermarket shifter.Make sure when you are bolting the converter onto the flexplate that it is a little bit loose without any nuts tightened.If it is tight then it might not be pushed in all the way or your flexplate offset might be wrong and you can burn out your pump.Also if you plan on running long tube headers then you might need to use the 157 tooth bellhousing and associated parts for clearance.

 

[JETHRO]

i did this swap. i used my aod flexplate with a 164 tooth bellhousing.. you dont have to drill the block plate. i used my stock shifter and what i did was cut the cable end off the stock shifter cable and welded it to a shift linkage from an older chevy impala. the linkage was adjustable. summit sells a kit for this that is an arm that goes where the linkage goes to on the c4. just tell summit your coverting and need the shifter arm for the c4. the aod's and c4's have different length arms so the you have to convert it with that kit. it may be hard to hook the c4's nuetral safety switch with the new arm on there. leave the one in the tranny and put another one on the cars harness so you can start the car. you wont have reverse lights though and u can start the car in any gear.

 

[trendkilllx]

I would just go with a built aod with a manual v/b and get rid of the lock-up. I got mine from www.sr7performance.com and it can handle around 800hp for less then 2g. then throw a 10inch converter in there and it'll fell like a totally different tranny. But if your set on the c4 i would also suggest checking out sr7, they have good tranny's and prices.