Stephen if it proves to be worthy there is nothing I'd like better than to keep it. The "think" around here is a C-4 no matter how well built can't hold up to that HP for long and a 2 speed PG properly built can with no problem. I'm gonna call this Godley and get the straight scoop on PG vs. C-4 '
When deciding on something like that it would be good to talk to several people and then make up your mind for yourself. I'd call JPT also, ask for Jim and tell him what you're doing and what tranny you should run.... his number is 517-663-0578 Tell him I referred you. He has been building c4's and glide's since before most of the the other guys were born......
From what I've been told by different sources if the C-4 doesn't have 4 pinion planetaries it won't hold up. I'm gonna give your guy a call and get his ideas on it...I sure don't want to buy a new tranny if I don't have to...lord knows this is costin be a bundle as it is. I just dropped another load in to pistons, rings, pins and cam and I havn't got the bill from the machine shop yet.
I know the feeling man!! Just don't let yourself get in a hurry, that's one of the worst things you can do. Do the proper research on EVERYTHING and it will save you alot in the long run! The stock, 3-pinion planetary starts to have problems at around the 400 - 500 hp. mark, depending on who you ask. The first thing you can do is have it fully rollerized which will increase it's horsepower limits but you can also buy a 6-pinion unit, most of which are not fully rollerized. The Performance Automatic unit is 6-pinion/gear and the body of the unit rides on a caged torrington bearing. The 6 gears rid on thrust type washers. I had my PA 6-pinion unit fully rollerized, so it has 7 bearings total. Jim will lead you on the right path as to which tranny will be correct for your needs, so would most of the "reputable" tranny shops, but alot depends on which person you get on the phone.
Wow wee! (is it two words?) Congrats on what is probably going to be one helluv an experience for you. Please keep us posted on the progress!
Thx for the advice Stephen...I gonna call Godley and see exactly what he diid then call JPT and find out what needs to be done to handle the motor. Thx Rick...here are a few more pics, rear end is a 9" with 5.00 spool and Strange 31 spline axles, suspension is basically stock but comes with the setup pictured. A 4 link will be used instead of the ladder bars, it has 29x11.5x15 MT drag slicks that have one pass on them. It shouldn't be any problem tuckin a little wider tire under it after the leafs come out if need be. This is gonna be quite a learning experience for me, I'll post pics as we progress. I should have some of the block and internals in a day or two. Geez I wish this motor was goin in a Mav.
Stephen I talked with Jim this morning for at least 30 minutes, really nice guy and sounds like he's forgot more about racing than any of us will ever learn... he gave me what I think is a great price on fully rollerizing my C-4 so it can handle the power with no prob.
that is a neat little truck.....should be a blast to drive.....not to mention a handful! OK.....OK, you talked me into it I will come down and shake the truck down for you
John you are more than welcome to do some shakedown passes in it...lord knows it will probably take me half a dozen passes in it before I have the nads to floor it. Derrick these trucks came with Mazda 4 cylinder engines...they weren't the rotary style though. I had a 72 back in the mid eighties..reliable little truck.
Wow. just caught this thread! This project has a special place in my heart. Hence the name. 302 powered Courier was my first hot rod. Oh and they did make a rotary version under the Mazda name. it had flared wheelwells at all four corners, the battery was in a box under the bed behind the passenger seat, and a 1.3 Wankel sat between the wheels. I reeeeeaaly wanted one of those.
The bed is off and the suspension ugrades have begun, the steel in the bed and wheel wells are being replaced with aluminum and the pistons finally shipped out yesterday
carb and oil pan came in today...anyone know what a wish motor is ? A wish motor is when you have a carb and a pan and WISH you were finished with the motor to fill the space in between.
