C4 to Toploader Q's!

[se7en-zero]

I am looking to replace the C4 in my 1970 302 Stang with a TopLoader...
I have a number of questions tho, before I start...

1. What else (besides the toploader) will I need?
Please list whatever you can think of, no matter how small or obvious it may seem!!

2. Has anyone bought a toploader from a company such as www.davidkeetoploaders.com/ or http://www.toploader4speed.com/

3. The Toploader will be going behind a 302 with mild heads and a T70 Single Turbo...I am looking to make 400-700RWHP, do you think the 4Speed will hold it? I know that these toploaders are pretty strong.

Thanks in adavance guys!

 

[LMan]

David Kee is a good place to go, but I would also recommend Mark at Top Loader Heaven.....folks swear by his service, knowledge, and product.

www.toploaderheaven.com

 

[ratio411]

If you are street driving, use the wide ratio.

I don't know all the "correct" names for the parts, but I have done the swap, so I will throw some out.
Equalizer bar, aka Z-bar
The pivot bolt that goes in the block.
The bushing for the pivot.
The frame mount for the equalizer, and the bushing.
The pedal assembly. Mounts above the steering column.
The rod from the pedal to the equalizer, and it's boot.
The rod from the equalizer to the tranny.
The proper bellhousing for your tranny and block. They both have changed slightly over the years. You cannot use a truck bellhousing. It is deeper than a car bell.
The fork that operates the TO bearing. The boot for the fork.
A good aftermarket flywheel. Must be matched to both the balance weight of your engine and the diameter of your bell.
Ideally you will have the flywheel present when you have the engine balanced.
I am sure you will get the right tranny, but some tips if you shop for one yourself:
Get the correct 'nose' for the SBF. The big shaft version cannot be mistaken, but the FE toploader has a nose that is only slightly shorter than the SBF version. Some folks will try to sell you an FE tranny for your SBF, either on purpose or out of ignorance... The FE nose is 7/8" long, the SBF is 1 1/6". Other than that, the input is identical.
The tranny length for a Stang is the same as a C4, so your driveshaft and yoke will be fine. The crossmember is the same too. You can get a full size car toploader though. This one is based on the C6 dimensions. Don't get this one, it was never available in the Stang, so you would have to fabricate and bastardize parts to get it to work.
Be prepared, the speedo gear is on the opposite side as the C4's. I just routed mine over to the other side, but it didn't like it after 20 years in the same position and the cable broke.
These are some high points that I remember from my swap.
Good luck
Dave

 

[mfp4073]

Yeah, mark at toploader heaven has made himself quite a name in the last few years with his parts, prices, quality and service and just being an all around great guy to do business with. And just to keep it all in check, shoot for that 300-400hp mark....

 

[se7en-zero]

Thanks for the info guys!!

 

[D.Hearne]

I am looking to replace the C4 in my 1970 302 Stang with a TopLoader...
I have a number of questions tho, before I start...

2. Has anyone bought a toploader from a company such as www.davidkeetoploaders.com/ or http://www.toploader4speed.com/

3. The Toploader will be going behind a 302 with mild heads and a T70 Single Turbo...I am looking to make 400-700RWHP, do you think the 4Speed will hold it? I know that these toploaders are pretty strong.

Thanks in adavance guys!

To answer your second question, yes I've done business with David Kee, you won't find a better man to do business with. Sold him two Toploaders last year, he drove 430 miles to the house to pick them up the next day.This wasn't the only transactions I've had with him either. Great guy. And he's the only one building completely NEW Toploaders. To answer your third question, yes the Toploader will handle ANYTHING that small block can dish out. I ran them behind a 500hp 427 sideoiler back in the 80's.
I think Dave pretty well answered your first question, can't think of anything to add to it. I've never done business with Toploader Heaven, but have bever heard anything negative about them either.

 

[se7en-zero]

Sweet! Before I even posted this I had already sent David an email...So hopefully I hear from him soon!

 

[pabear89]

Ratio411's list is pretty complete,
But might want to add the pliot bearing to it.

PB