Gentlemen....Would like to install C4 in my tbird this winter.  Don't have a transmission yet, looking at TCI's  Street Rodder Tranny P/N 511238, and P/N 450738 for the Torque Converter.  My first question is "have I made the right choice?"  Please reply with  any comments  you may have regarding TCI"s products and my project in general..PS:  I also plan to use Gene Benson's adapter kit...  Thank you, hope to hear from all soon.   Richard Palmer

My  question is why a C4 and not an AOD?

Because the C4 is a nice lightweight tranny (approx. 100#), don't plan to do a lot of highway driving, therefore no real need for the overdrive.My 1957 Tbird is completely restored and the plan is to continue to use it for cruise nights and car shows. I live on an island (Cape Cod) and during the summer I get stuck in horrific traffic jams with my standard transmission and non-air conditioned car.BTW I also plan to add air conditioning. My plan is to continue to enjoy my Tbird but be more comfortable when  I sit in my summer traffic jams.. 

First, I'd like to add on to Sanddoc's comment about C4 or AOD.  What are you going to use the car for, long road trips or just around town?  If you're planning long road trips, I might go with an AOD.  When I put the C4 in my 55 'Bird I was just planning for around town cruising, now we take 2 or 3 trips a year of a few hundred miles and it would be nice not to travel at 3000 rpm all the time. However, if an AOD is the way to go, you might need to change your rear axle ratio to something a little lower as just putting an AOD in would drop my highway rpms to around 2100 which might be too low.

That said, TCI has a good reputation and I'm sure it would be a good strong tranny.  On the torque convertor, I got mine from Gene when I ordered the adapter so I knew the stud extensions would be done correctly.  I think the C4 is probably the easier install as all I had to modify was the crossmember by enlarging two holes and a little tweak to the shift rod (I hit it with a hammer) so it would clear the case and everything lined up.  I used a speedometer cable from an early Falcon which fit perfectly.  In all this, Gene was a big help, even answering questions on rebuilding the trans.  

The AOD is larger and longer and I've read requires some grinding on the frame, plus the rear mount is about 4 inches farther back so the rear crossmember might be and issue.

I hope this helps,
Don

Thanks for your comments Don....They help a lot!   My Tbird originally had a Fordomatic so my rear end ratio is 3.1:1  That's another reason for my C4 choice. I do plan on short trips with a max of approx. 250 miles (My daughter lives in NJ so it should be a blast driving that route in the Bird). I would like to keep the swap as easy as possible and not bite off more than I can chew. OD is not a huge priority for me and you have already cited some add'l concerns when going for the AOD.  Thanks for your comment about how Gene can help me with the Torque Converter setup.  As I get into this I hope I can continue to chat with you to call on your expertise..  Cheers, Richard Palmer

A criuze o matic fits the car, an FMX is also easy (cheaper)

Now that we know the usage, you are right in picking the C4, they are tuff, and can be made way stronger.
http://gearstar.net/articles/y-block-aod-upgrade.16
A little more into on a swap... FYI...

I put a C4 in my 56 Bird and I'm very happy with it.  Even in long distance high speed traveling it performs very well.  With the stock rear 3.31 it only tach's about 2800 at 65. I went to CA from NJ and back with this set up and got about 16 MPH.  Car is otherwise stock with a 57 dizzy, pertronix and a 4000 carb converted for the 57 dizzy.

One thing to remember - get a trans out of a car that has a floor shift, as the shift arm of the trans points up.  The best years, so I am told, is 1970 and up because it has the larger diameter input shaft.  Get one with a case fill.

If you have any other questions about a C4 conversion, email me.


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

have a look at the top of the page under "Articles"  Jeff  Hallam has a write up Fordomatic to C4 Conversion (57 TBird) 
May be of interest if you have not already seen it.
stuey

Don't want to muddy the water and some may consider it sacrilege-but here goes.

I actually slung a TH350 behind my 292 with the adapter.
Basically because I run a 3x2 carb set up with a progressive and the TH350 can be built to not need a kickdown cable. With all the additional linkage it was one less thing to deal with.

I figure if every scrubby guy is ok with running a 9" I can get past the non purist on the trans.




Mike Rizzo

1963 F100 "Rudy"

Daniel Island, SC