Who's running a automatic. c4

[RACERAL]

Can you tell me about your trans, convertor etc. Anything you want to talk about concerning a automatic trans in your Roadster. I like the C4. What stall speed do you guys find that works well.

[MRGEORGE077]

Sorry, but being from Texas the only bulls that I have ever bought had balls!

[G_Edmonds]

Al,
I've run an automatic with a couple different convertors behind a couple different engines for a few years now. I don't mind shifting (daily driver is a BMW six sp.) but in my particular car there just wasn't enough room for my big feet and three peddles. A car as light as yours can use more stall than you'd think but make sure to have enough cooling for it. I'd consider getting a custom convertor that's made for your combination. The good builders can do wonders.
-Greg
25-30 originals came with autos. Not unheard of.

[RACERAL]

Don't understand the balls thing...but if you are referring to me wanting an automatic, trust me, shifting is over rated. I did it for 10 years in my old heap.
Mr. Edmunds, yes, I hear something like 3500 , I like you wear 12's and my footbox in my ex car was plum full . Not to mention, every competitive car on the drag strip has a automatic.

[DAVID GAGNARD]

Al;

A nicely built C4 will make a nice combo in a Cobra......a cousin of mine has a 805 hp 2012 Camaro SS and just recently took out the manual trans. and put in a manual shift 4L80 (I think) over drive transmission and loves it,said it's easier to drive especially around town.....

Just get a C4 that can handle the HP your engine will make and you'll be fine..

David

[Karl Bebout]

I know its not a C4 but for years I ran a TH400, with a 3200 stall converter, behind my healthy RAT motor and liked it a lot. I've always been a bug about cooling the tranny so I ran a Derale tranny pan, with the cooling tubes, as well as at least a 12"x12" cooler and even in Southern AZ, never had tranny troubles. I've since gone with a manual 4L80 and really like that 4th gear overdrive. Makes 85MPH cruising at 3000RPM much nicer than the 4000RPM I used to have. I use the same cooling set up and still do not have any tranny overheating issues. I'd strongly suggest getting some tranny with the OD final ratio. More money up front, but, to me, well worth it, as is the overkill on the cooling.

[GT Trooper]

I currently have a C4 behind a 533 in my build. I had this very same setup in an 87 notchback that went high 9's all motor in the 1/4 mile. My stall was a 3600 that worked great on the street and at the track. It's a C4 Supercomp rated at 1000hp. I can add pics if you want.

As previously stated, the TH400 is a nice trans too.

[DougD]

Good luck finding a C4 to fit a FE...you may have better luck in chasing down a C6.

Or this may be in the wrong forum, in which case I'd say "never mind..."

[glenview289]

We have a Ford 4R70W trans with an Edge torque converter (2500 stall) on a 351W making 400Hp. It is managed by a Baumann Engineering controller. The controller also will allow you to put on paddle shifters if desired, as everything is electronicaly controlled. Four years and 12,000 miles without an issue. With the controller you can choose your shift points by RPM, speed, torque, your choice. You can also have multiple programs stored. We have a program for every day cruising, and one for track days. Also we have a overdrive lockout switch on the dash. Would do it again if I had to.

[DAVID GAGNARD]

Al;
don't remember what engine your going with, but if your going with a small block, you might want to consider a early (80's model) AOD trans.....they can be built to handle big hp and torque and you'd have the overdrive and not need any compauter or electronics to make it work.....

David

[PANAVIA]

Art Carr was the king of the AOD , and the C4. - I am sure they can help.

In FE land the C6 was the trans of choice, but I am sure that a modern hot-rod trans shop would have much better information.

Keep in mind that a lot of C4s and C6s were abused and have been sitting for a while with the prices for certain things being somewhat inflated due to their antiquity. whatever you pick, make sure you get a tail yoke that is a 1350 u-joint style, as that will handle the torque as when these were installed new, some had 1310 joints to save space. -- Best of luck !

[Tom Wells]

Al,

I run a c6 behind a 521. After 31K miles on and off the track I have developed a combo that works well. It has been a collection of "learning experiences."

As of now I use a nice big trans cooler ( about a square foot with its own fan ), a torque converter with a 1600 rpm stall speed built by FTI in Deland FL and a Carl Rossler built trans.

Both the converter and trans are important with respect to oil flow for adequate cooling during 30 minute track sessions; either can restrict flow and cause overheating if their oil passages are not large enough. The lower stall speed makes for less heat generation in the converter. For drag racing only, this is less of an issue and you might want a higher stall speed.

The c6 would be my choice for installing and forgetting. It doesn't weigh enough more than the c4 to make much difference and doesn't require any adapters etc for any big block.

The shifter is the 1965 Mustang floor shifter used in the original Cobras - it just looks at home.

Hope this helps,

Tom

edit: almost forgot - I use a 2.88 axle ratio. If your engine is a bit smaller, an AOD with its overdrive top gear is a better choice with about a 3.55 axle as the c6 has a 1:1 ratio in 3rd.

[RACERAL]

Thanks Tom... good info. I am planning on my first BB build, the 390 to 445 thing. C6 or C4 it doesn't matter to me. Street use only with maybe 2 or 3 runs down the 1/8 just to see what it will do. I'm hearing about 3600 stall speed for such a ligh weight car. I'm still early in my planning stages, I have had one other roadster, but sold it 3 years ago, and have the itch.

Must be a BB this time... Thanks for the comments guys.

David, I met you one time at VIR , the Club Cranky gang was there.

[DAVID GAGNARD]

Al;
yep I remember VIR very well.......

While not up on automatics and stall speeds,I would have thought you'd need less stall speed for a lightweight Cobra, maybe in the 2000 to 2200 rpm range,I thought the higher stall speed (3000+ rpms) were needed for those big heavy cars like the old Galaxies....

Unless I have things backwards,which wouldn't be out of the norm for me...

David

[avanti-176]

Al,
I have a good C6 that came off a 428 I bought, I was just getting ready to put it on Craigslist. PM me if you are interested, I would just as soon it went to a member here. I will also be passing through NC in mid April and would be willing to bring it along to save on shipping if you would like.

Dan

[RACERAL]

Well, it didn't take much reading to figure out I needed to switch my thinking to a C6. I must do more research.

[Tom Wells]

Al,

Here's my shifter:



You can find pictures of originals that use the same shifter.

Tom

[RACERAL]

Tom.. that is perfect.

[Karl Bebout]

The Mustang shifter does look good, but you have to really be careful with it. Slipping into neutral, at 7000 RPM, makes sH## happen really fast. Using a reverse patern valve body would certainly be preferable, but it might be easy to bypass 2nd gear. I don't remember that the lockout button prevents anything but going into reverse or park.

[dallas_]

Originally Posted by DAVID GAGNARD

While not up on automatics and stall speeds,I would have thought you'd need less stall speed for a lightweight Cobra, maybe in the 2000 to 2200 rpm range,

Originally Posted by Tom Wells

As of now I use a nice big trans cooler ( about a square foot with its own fan ), a torque converter with a 1600 rpm stall speed

I've got a 2800 now in a street Cobra and want to change it for something lower. How does that 1600 do on the street?

Thanks!

(sorry if this is a hijack)