Re: Advice

Jul 25, 2003 2 Replies


I have a 65 coupe that I am rebuilding. I just purchased a 351 Cleveland


> Engine that I am rebuilding to put into the 65. My question is the
> transmission. The original is a C4 (that needs rebuilding). Will there be
> issues with a C4 and a 351C? Would a C6 or T5 be better?
>
>

Depends. What are you going to do with it? And how much power will the engine make? If weekly drag racing is the plan, go with a C6 or Tremac 3550. If it's a fun week end car with occasional drag strip runs, then a well built C4 should handle it just fine. Heat is the big killer, so make sure you have a good cooler. The C6 is a trade off. It's a bigger case, so getting it to fit may be a problem. Also, because the internals are bigger it takes more power to run. And it's heavier. Have you tried fitting that Cleveland into the '65? That's a pretty tight fit. I'm not even sure you can do it without modifying the shock towers. Would be different, though. Of course, if you install a Mustang II front end, you fit just about anything you want in there.

I would ditch the cleaveland and build up a windsor with alu heads so it weighs about the same as a 302 and fit a C4 or a modern T5 to it. The C6 is such a heavy beast I would not use it for anything except a truck. You can get C4s that are pretty beafy and race ready. The other solution if you mainly drag race is a Power Glide, but I would only put that on a dedicated drag car...

That's just my 2 cents....

Serge

I disagree. The windsor family just doesn't have that cool factor that a 351 C does. Not to mention that a stock 2v Clevland head is actually a pretty good piece all on its own. The flow figures I have show 203/145 @ 0.400 and

230/172 @ 0.600. Thats as good as some aftermarket aluminum Windsor heads. Not to mention cast iron will make more power than aluminum with equal flow numbers. Granted some head work will need to be done, but it should still cost about half of the aftermarket heads unless they are really trashed. There is a bigger aftermarket support for the W for sure, but if he isn't looking for nothing to strage it shouldn't be a big deal.

Couldn't agree more. The C6 is a strong piece but the C4 would live just fine. I'd go with a T5 or AOD to take advantage of overdrive myself if its more of a crusier than a drag car.

MadDAWG

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