Which Tranny is better with 373 gears?

[stangracer79]

Im just thinking what tranny is best for me, selection 1 is a C4 trans. The drag strip is 150km away and i am worried about the rpms down the highway. Selection 2 an AOD it has overdrive, but its heavy and will slow me down at the strip. But will save me on gas (i think).

please help me here

 

[OrLackThereof]

Daily = AOD. Drag/Lightly Driven = C4.

 

[Michael Yount]

The rpms on the highway needn't be a problem - slow down.

 

[NKau]

The rpms on the highway needn't be a problem - slow down.

Exactly. If you are only driving the car to and from the track, go with the old C-4. If you are driving the car every day, you might want to think more about the AOD.

 

[stangracer79]

what if i had 3.55s? would i have to go to taller gears to drive daily?

 

[NKau]

what if i had 3.55s? would i have to go to taller gears to drive daily?

Depends where you are driving and how far. My old '65 with 3.50's and a C-4 would spin ABOUT 3,000 rpm on the freeway doing a bit over 70. The noise gets old after about 50 miles, but it doesn't bother everyone. If your daily commute consists of speeds under 70 and a shorter trip, it might not bother you. The 5.0 engine has no problem with turning 3,000-3,500 rpm for sustained trips, but obviously gas mileage will suffer and you can expect the engine to wear out a bit sooner.

 

[stangracer79]

ok, i will consider that. yea i sorta need the engine to slow down and keep it longer.

 

[Xwelder]

wide ratio

Don't know if you've considered it, but I had 3:55's and a wide ratio AOD. It was a blast to drive and the gearing was close to that of a t-5. I drove it everday and loved it.

 

[OrLackThereof]

By wide ratio AOD...I assume you mean you installed the AODE gear set, which has beefier first and second gears, but 3rd and 4th are the same? That kit is a little pricey but the gear spread, from what I've read, is really good. I think they bumped 1st from a 2.4 up to a 2.8 ratio, and 2nd from a 1.4 to a 1.8, or something roughly in that neighborhood.

That's not a bad suggestion.... You'd keep the Overdrive, but get beefier first and second gears to offset the extra weight of the AOD.

 

[DropTopR]

My friend has a 92 convert, and it rolls with 3.73's and a C4. And all I have to say is no way. We went to another town one night, which was usually a 45 min drive, and cuz he was buzzing about 3200 at 55, we had to slow down. And I had to keep it out of 6th, Cuz I was turnuing too LOW of an rpm. I say, build a killer AOD, drop in the 3.73's and be done with it. I like overdrives anyway, I have 2.

 

[Xwelder]

The wide ratio kit is a little pricey, but if you have to buy a tranny anyway, Check out a Early '90 Lincoln mk viii in the junkyard. These cars came with the wide ratio stock. And if you can jump up to the aod-e, it's even better. I had an -e controlled by a Baumann custom computer. I was able to change via laptop shiftpoints, how hard it shifted, and also the lockup function. Also, the -e does away with the tv cable linkage issue.

 

[stangracer79]

do you guys think my rpms will go lower by using a taller tires on the rear?

 

[Michael Yount]

The rpms at a given speed will be reduced in direct proportion to the increase in tire height.

 

[stangracer79]

The wide ratio kit is a little pricey, but if you have to buy a tranny anyway, Check out a Early '90 Lincoln mk viii in the junkyard. These cars came with the wide ratio stock. And if you can jump up to the aod-e, it's even better. I had an -e controlled by a Baumann custom computer. I was able to change via laptop shiftpoints, how hard it shifted, and also the lockup function. Also, the -e does away with the tv cable linkage issue.

Thx man, I I think ill go for a AOD and later build it up.

 

[jwzg]

FWIW check out this link.

www.lentechautomatics.com

I am planning to go with this same builder to replace my aging AOD this summer (Don't you hate those who tell you to try something they haven't?). The price may be a little high, but the performance should be as well. Check out what they do to the valve body

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