Transmission choice?

Sweet6T6Ford · Post by **Sweet6T6Ford** » October 8, 2011, 8:46 pm

I have a built 400m and I am wondering what would be the best transmission (c-4, c-6, or AOD) for a 3.55 8.8 rear end?

sully5 · Post by **sully5** » October 8, 2011, 10:21 pm

If you drive on the highway, my vote is for the AOD.

Sweet6T6Ford · Post by **Sweet6T6Ford** » October 8, 2011, 10:27 pm

she sees the highway a lot.... I drive her to every car show I can. I was told there would be an issue with electronic overdrive? I dont do engine or transmission work.... Im a body/fab and paint person.

Roger Carter · Post by **Roger Carter** » October 9, 2011, 11:45 am

We had an '87 Crown Vic wagon a few years back. I had ordered it with the trailer tow package. Part of the package was a 3.55 limited slip rear end. The wagon had the injected 5.0 backed by and AOD. Freeway mileage was 22-24 mpg.
I vote for the AOD also, though I wasn't aware Ford offered an AOD with the 400/460 bell housing bolt pattern.
Pretty sure the AOD is not an "electronic" trans.
There should be members here that could confirm that.

Roger Carter

Sweet6T6Ford · Post by **Sweet6T6Ford** » October 9, 2011, 12:35 pm

There is a bell housing adapter for the AOD. You have to cut off the old one and the new one bolts in place.

aarons428 · Post by **aarons428** » October 9, 2011, 2:44 pm

My vote would be a c-6 much simpler and cheaper. I dont like the ratios in the aod unless u get a wide ratio kit for it.

Sweet6T6Ford · Post by **Sweet6T6Ford** » October 9, 2011, 7:00 pm

I have a c-6 behind it right now.... I cant do highway speeds without it pushing high rpms. Transmission might just need a rebuild I guess.

robert porterfield · Post by **robert porterfield** » October 9, 2011, 10:52 pm

i think perhaps c6/gear vendor might be an option

sully5 · Post by **sully5** » October 10, 2011, 9:26 am

robert porterfield wrote:i think perhaps c6/gear vendor might be an option

$$$$$

Roger Carter · Post by **Roger Carter** » October 10, 2011, 10:59 am

Are the 3.55's in the truck now, or are they a future install? How about trying a different rear axle ratio? Any idea what your truck has in it for rear gears, if not the 3.55's? Any idea what RPM your engine is turning at hiway speeds?
Seems there are options to a tranny swap.

Roger Carter

MadMaxetc · Post by **MadMaxetc** » October 10, 2011, 8:52 pm

sully5 wrote:
robert porterfield wrote:i think perhaps c6/gear vendor might be an option
$$$$$

Same $ overall as a TKO-500, Richmond, T56, etc... (Need to include Bellhousing, clutch, etc...)

Sweet6T6Ford · Post by **Sweet6T6Ford** » October 11, 2011, 11:22 pm

Kinda surprised by the high rpms because the guy i got the rear end from said it was 2.88 gears.. Thought it would give me better highway miles and do the opposite with the rpms.

Sweet6T6Ford · Post by **Sweet6T6Ford** » October 11, 2011, 11:23 pm

3.55 is a future install.... I got an 8.8 rear out of a crown vic. Doing the crown vic conversion with airride.

bluebolt · Post by **bluebolt** » October 11, 2011, 11:51 pm

I vote for road trip! You wil lahve to get a different adapter but a gear vendors for $800 is a great price! http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/search/ ... catAbb=sss

Sweet6T6Ford · Post by **Sweet6T6Ford** » October 23, 2011, 11:37 pm

How about a rebuild with a shift kit and taller 1st and second gears? You all seem to be fans or have good reviews of the c-6