Any recommendations on what shift kits work best on C4s? Any other minor mods or tricks to beef up the 4? This isn't for high horsepower/torque or extreme duty.....just want a solid, strong shifting trans for a mildly built street engine.
Check out Bad Shoe Productions for a DVD on rebuilding the C4. It gives you examples of what can be done to improve and properly rebuild and set up the C4. He has other DVD's you may like also. Just type in BadShoeProductions in a web search. I have ordered this on and all is layed out to you from start to finish. He is a Master Ford mechanic.
http://www.tciauto.com/tc/c4-valve-body-performance-kit-70-uphtml At the bottom of the page click on the Product Download tab for install instructions. Tech Article: http://mmb.maverick.to/showthread.php?t=35487
Check out the link to building a C-4 by PaulS. He is the C-4 gurue. He built my C-4 when he was rebuilding trans. It's still going strong. His tech article will help you accomplish this task.
Yep.. that's a very good tech writeup to reference. I also like to have a rebuild DVD(Badshoe's is pretty good and there are a few others). There's also another manual by ATSG available for visual referencing. IMO.. if you're going through all this trouble and expense?.. you may as well upgrade some of the components and address weak points while you're at it here. You know how it goes.. money and time spent now.. is money and time saved later. You probably don't need red clutches.. but some decent friction coefficient and temp tolerant browns or blues would easily be worth the money and improvement in shift feel. More links to research parts availability and options. I have tons more links but don;t have access to my main production machine right now. http://diyford.com/assemble-ford-c4-transmissions-cruise-o-matic-select-shift/ http://www.c6-c4.com/#Transmission Parts PS. I'd also highly recommend at least a small cooler and good high flowing filter to extend the lifespan of all your dollars and hard work. And depending on your driving habits and temp range variation where you live.. a thermostatically controlled valve ahead of the cooler is never a bad idea either. That will let the trans warm up quicker and keeps it at optimum temp to further longevity even more. PS.PS.. don't forget to use a mild stall while you're at it here. 2,500'ish or so will make you grin and still be tight enough for cruising and mileage concerns.
You mentioned "a thermostatically controlled valve" and I have always wondered if the pressure was regulated in or for the trans. I have seen gauges but never have I seen a regulator.. I have read many posts mentioning a pump, but never a regulator. I don't ever recall anyone ever mentioning what the pressure should be either. Many posts about creating more flow.. But nothing really about pressure. Internals of a transmission are a fear of mine lol..jk.. It's just an unexplored area for me..
Many of the newer cars have them these days. IIRC.. many cars are even implementing "fluid heaters" that route oils next to coolant for even faster warmups(I don't know about you guys.. but I ALWAYS use the factory rad cooler in conjunction with the auxilliary air coolers). This "new tech" is also used in conjunction with t-stat switches to close loop the engine coolant for faster warmups too. I know my Honda uses both systems and warms up in about 5 minutes flat despite the subzero temps we get here. These systems are used because temp fluids that are too low can be tough on/reduce trans/engine life almost as badly as temps that are too high. Short runs/start-n-go/ and stop-n-go traffic can be hell on these slushbox's.
No doubt used these days to improve CAFE, still it isn't a bad idea from the longevity view either...
From my experience of having the trans out multiple times the last guy who built mine was amazing, stuffed it full of goodies and told me the best thing to do to a built c4 that's going behind a strong motor is to leave the shift kit out and if one is used go with a mild one. The c4 has too small components. Mine has no kit and it shifts quick and smooth and has lasted with no issue since..
I purchased a B&M shift kit a long time ago and had Eagle Transmissions in Mesquite TX install it while they "rebuilt" it. It lasted about 20 miles.. That was a hard one to eat.
A shift kit is not what causes transmission problems, In most cases what causes tranny to fail is heat caused because the clutch packs or the bands are slipping! What a shift kit does is increase the line pressure, And what pressure does is stops the long dragged out shift ! It al so clamps the clutch packs tighter and applies more pressure to the bands for more holding power! Even under normal driving condition a shift kit will make a transmission last longer than a stock box!
