How many of you have swapped in a C4 auto?

[FordManMT]

As much as I would like to keep a manual in my car it may not be financially feasible. After looking into the cost of building a T5 to handle the range of power I'm shooting for.

A C4 out of a 2wd ranger shouldn't be to hard to find.

Looking at the C3 and C4 they are about the same size.

Manual valve body's run from $200-$400.

Just putting a feel out for anyone who has done this.

I'm sure many of you see my posts and say "well that won't happen" I'm basically getting everything together before I start this endeavor

[merkurdriver]

I have a C4 in one of the XRs here. Its easy enough to do, but finding the correct 2.3 / C4 bellhousing can be tricky. You'll need to add the "green stripe" vacuum modulator if you put it behind a turbocharged engine.

[merk23literturbo]

http://s586.photobucket.com/user/merk23 ... -4%20Trans

[FordManMT]

I have a C4 in one of the XRs here. Its easy enough to do, but finding the correct 2.3 / C4 bellhousing can be tricky. You'll need to add the "green stripe" vacuum modulator if you put it behind a turbocharged engine.

I wouldn't think I would need the modulator running a full manual valve body would I?

[merkurdriver]

I have a C4 in one of the XRs here. Its easy enough to do, but finding the correct 2.3 / C4 bellhousing can be tricky. You'll need to add the "green stripe" vacuum modulator if you put it behind a turbocharged engine.

I wouldn't think I would need the modulator running a full manual valve body would I?

probably not if you plan on doing all the shifting by hand

[popimpracer]

WHY DID IT DIE?

[DAReese]

WHY DID IT DIE?

C3s don't handle the output from the stock 5-spd ECU well with no engine mods. Start bumping up the output and the C-3 really doesn't like that. You CAN upgrade the C-3, but you're still left with a C-3. There are some fans of the 18,000 RPMs to get to 70MPH, but most think the engine has to rev far too high to even just keep up with traffic.

[Ed Lijewski]

I think he was asking why this thread died (re anyone who swapped in a C4?).

BTW, one guy who posted here or maybe on MerkurSport some years ago ran his high mileage C3 XR using power break starts repeatedly at the drag strip and it didn't break (eventually his posts ended but for unknown reasons). He had pics of it smoking the tires.

YMMV

[Rocky's Wrench]

I think he was asking why this thread died (re anyone who swapped in a C4?).

BTW, one guy who posted here or maybe on MerkurSport some years ago ran his high mileage C3 XR using power break starts repeatedly at the drag strip and it didn't break (eventually his posts ended but for unknown reasons). He had pics of it smoking the tires.

YMMV

So there was one good C3 out there, it probably blew up...

[popimpracer]

Yes I meant the thread and mine was fine till I ran it through a Houston flood

[Ed Lijewski]

Your C3? They're (comparatively) easily rebuildable.

YMMV

[popimpracer]

Yes my c3, i was wanting to upgrade for power if possible.

[DAReese]

I think he was asking why this thread died (re anyone who swapped in a C4?).

BTW, one guy who posted here or maybe on MerkurSport some years ago ran his high mileage C3 XR using power break starts repeatedly at the drag strip and it didn't break (eventually his posts ended but for unknown reasons). He had pics of it smoking the tires.

YMMV

I know you can upgrade the C3, but you're still left with a too-high revving car for my taste. I think the C-3 was a bad choice for the XR, but I don't know what alternatives there were in the early 80s when the US conversion was being developed. Even the Scorpio was getting a new tranny for 1990 when it was killed, and it had a four-speed already, but those are different markets.

[John Brennan]

I know you can upgrade the C3, but you're still left with a too-high revving car for my taste. I think the C-3 was a bad choice for the XR, but I don't know what alternatives there were in the early 80s when the US conversion was being developed. Even the Scorpio was getting a new tranny for 1990 when it was killed, and it had a four-speed already, but those are different markets.

Indeed, pity the four-speed automatic transmission hadn't been invented yet...

[popimpracer]

I read a tread some where that the c4 was possible but labor intensive.