Help on Ford C4 rebuild

[76mach1]

I was wondering if there is any reading material or any advice from you guys on rebuilding my stock C4. The transmission was starting to slip (really bad in reverse) and so i have decided to rebuild it myself. I have been looking at the B&M racing overhual kit and also changing out the valve body to a manual/automatic or a full manual unit. I built my engine, and have good machanical skills but have never opened up a auto tranny (neither has my dad since he only has drove manuals back in his day, and he's a mopar guy).

I also want it to be sturdy enough to handle the occasional weekend drag night. I have a 76 mach1 with a mild 302 (~300hp at the crank). Any other parts that should be addressed or and any tips would be greatly appreciated thanks.

 

[brianj5600]

I will start by saying that kit will probably work fine at 300hp. It is basically a stock rebuild kit with shift kit. Most C4 builders are not thrilled with B&M shift kits. Transgo shift kits are what most recommend. If you plan on more power down the road you should look into the 500hp kit from Broader Performance. C4 transmissions and parts

 

[Wicked65]

BadShoeProductions.com Ken makes a AWESOME video. thats what im using right now to rebuild mine.

 

[76mach1]

I have heard alot of good things about Performance Automatic and they make a rebuild kit, is that another recommended company? Im trying to stay away from TCI, i currently have a street fighter C4 and had nothing but problems with it ( i only get 500 miles on it and i lose 3rd gear out of nowhere, and its my second unit), so i want to rebuild my stock unit. Also maybe by rebuilding this one, i can figure out whats wrong with the TCI unit.

 

[brianj5600]

That sounds like a valve body problem.

 

[76mach1]

From everything that i have read, thats what i believe to be the problem. Unfortunetly when i sent my first TCI unit back they didn't tell me the problem, they just sent me out a whole new transmission. I still might take out this valve body and open it to see if something is wrong. I also might switch to a full manual valve body as well.

 

[76mach1]

Also those badshoeproductions.com videos look amazing. i still might pick one of those up just for more info on out tranny's.

 

[brianj5600]

I would consider a stock VB with a transgo kit.

 

[Mr. Din]

I will start by saying that kit will probably work fine at 300hp. It is basically a stock rebuild kit with shift kit. Most C4 builders are not thrilled with B&M shift kits. Transgo shift kits are what most recommend. If you plan on more power down the road you should look into the 500hp kit from Broader Performance. C4 transmissions and parts

Have you personally gotten a transmission from Broader performance? They are a few hours a way from me and I was thinking of having them build a c4 for me.

 

[Wicked65]

Have you personally gotten a transmission from Broader performance? They are a few hours a way from me and I was thinking of having them build a c4 for me.

I have talked to Jay at broader performance a couple times. I think he talked with me for almost a hour. Really knows his stuff, and never heard anyone talk bad about his products or customer service. If he's that close to you, id check him out.

 

[jlangholzj]

silverfox trans hands down the place to go. Dan's an amazing guy who'll help you out no matter what time of day. He's extremely knowledgeable and is the main reason why i got my AOD running again

 

[brianj5600]

Mr. Din, I originally built my C4/C5 from info I learned from C4 Transmissions - Ford Muscle Forums : Ford Muscle Cars Tech Forum including self modding the valve body. I was never real happy with the way it shifted to 3rd at light throttle. When stepped up the power of my car I decided to buy one of Broader's transbrake valve bodies. I was visiting the DFW area so I drove out to pick it up. We talked a while about C4s and I was impressed with his knowledge about what it takes to make a C4 live with big power. He addresses a few thing differently and took the time to tell me why parts fail, his solution and why. Shortly after putting in his valvebody I broke the forward drum. I was back in TN so I ordered almost the entire rotating assembly from him and put it together myself. So no i have not had him build me a transmission, but had I known mine would break so soon, I would have bought from him. It would not have been much more and I am sure he probably has quite a few tricks I don't know.

 

[Mr. Din]

Thanks for the info Brain and Wicked. I think I will have him build me a fresh one and keep my old C4.

 

[76mach1]

Man, sometimes i wish i didnt live in the very northwest corner of the country. Seems like most of the best old school "muscle car" guys are in the midwest to southest.