FE Power Forums
FE Power Forums => Non-FE Discussion Forum => Topic started by: Stangman on February 10, 2024, 10:30:40 PM
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So was thinking about buying a tranny. Looking at Broader,, performance automatic,, and a place called mikes performance trannys. Unless of course you build them yourself who’s everybody using.
Thank. I have used TCI with good luck but thinking about getting something a little beefier. Maybe rollerized to save a little horsepower.
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I've had good luck with Performance Automatics C4. Much less power drag than a C6, and good for at least 750 HP. There's another outfit call Joel's on Joy in Michigan that is supposed to be even better. I have one of those C4s to, but don't have a lot of experience with it. I put at least 20K miles on the PA C4, never a problem in my 511", 706 HP FE.
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I have heard about both of them. At this time I can’t do a complete swap over to c-4 from a c-6. I would actually love to but it’s probably an extra 2 grand maybe more after tranny lines and crossmember and driveshaft etc. I was thinking about a rollerized c-6 which should save me maybe 15 horsepower along with a direct bolt in. I don’t know if Joel’s does a c-6. I guess I can call on that. One good thing about the Broader one is it’s a forward manual valve body I won’t even have to change the shifter internals.
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Just going by comments I’ve seen on the internet the last couple years, the hardest issue I’ve seen reported is getting anyone to answer the phone, or even any form of communication, from both Broader or Performance Automatic. I’ve seen a few people report emails to Broader have much more success. Not trying to knock either company, I’ve bought parts from both and been happy, just giving you a heads up. I think some of these small companies are just overwhelmed with business and supply issues the last couple years. A lot of people like having a person to talk to though, especially on a big item like a complete transmission. So just a heads up if you have a timeline, don’t wait too long to start the contact.
I build my own automatics, so I don’t have any experience with buying a complete one, Ford Motorsports used to have a complete gear train kit for building a wide ratio rollerized C6, and it was a nice piece with all Ford OEM parts, I used a couple, but sadly Motorsports dropped it years ago. I think there are other companies that have picked that up though.
I’d also suggest checking if you have anyone local that might be capable. I know sometimes it’s a crapshoot finding someone good with non-stock builds, or with Ford stuff in general, but they can be out there. We have a some decent transmission shops in Minnesota. If you have a Dragstrip local ask some Ford racers who they use.
I’ll just add, try to report back to us if you have success contacting anyone, and how the transaction goes.
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PA emailed me last fall and stated the roof collapsed on their foundry or something to that effect and stated they had no ETA when parts flow would resume. I think if considering the switch it may be wise to procure a FE to C4 bell as that was the hardest component to get. Also note when getting a bell there are case fill and pan fill bells and they are different. Jim
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PA emailed me last fall and stated the roof collapsed on their foundry or something to that effect and stated they had no ETA when parts
flow would resume. I think if considering the switch it may be wise to procure a FE to C4 bell as that was the hardest component to get. Also
note when getting a bell there are case fill and pan fill bells and they are different. Jim
Copy paste from the PA website.
"A case fill or pan fill C4 transmission can be used with this bell and all hardware is included."
Link >>>> http://www.performanceautomatic.com/products/parts-and-accessories/bellhousings-and-rings/pro-fit-bellhousings.html (http://www.performanceautomatic.com/products/parts-and-accessories/bellhousings-and-rings/pro-fit-bellhousings.html)
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I have tried to call broader and could get Jay. I did e mail him and he got back to me quickly. We e mailed a few times in a couple of days and I think a 5 minute phone call would have covered it. Hey I guess online is alive and well, I guess I’m old school I like to talk to a person.
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I would of liked to have gone for a C4 but to buy and import a c4 to fe bellhousing was over 1000 usd from summit at the time I was looking for one they have come down to around 800usd now just for the bellhousing.
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PA bells may work on both but not all bells do. Here is a pick of mine. I had to re-drill it to fit the adapter as you can see it is scalloped where the bolts for the case fill would be.
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There is always the adapter. This one comes with options which always cost more.
https://www.transdepot.net/feadapter
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I've had my eye out for a used performance built C4 on Ohio drag race parts FB group but to switch from C6 is costly even with used and that's rebuilding it myself, my C6 broke a band and I've been thinking about going back to automatic from the 4 speed so I might try a light weight drum and sun shell first on the C6 before I go C4 as it knocks almost 8 pounds off of the rotational weight and might bridge some gap between C6 and C4
https://www.mts-performance.com/product_info.php?products_id=123&osCsid=k8sl1e4u0j5i36be6vq8m3fih2
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"A case fill or pan fill C4 transmission can be used with this bell and all hardware is included."
Pan fill bells bolt to the case on a C4, case fill bells bolt to the pump. So what they are saying - essentially - is that their bell bolts to the pump. I can see that it is starter drilled for both 157 tooth size block plates (case fill) and the 164 tooth (pan fill typically) block plates. But those are SBF terms and not FE.
I build my own C4s but I have used parts from both Broader and Freakshow Performance. Freakshow is right here in town, so Michael gets any of my business that I can't do in house. I used a JW adapter bell for the PG to 157 th style SBF on my dragster. Nice part, hefty, expensive. That plus the custom converter and flex plate chewed up $1000 pretty quick. And that was 5 years ago.
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I wasn't really for sure what I would be seeing when I opened this thread.
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Joe, we got a Joel's-On-Joy trans for our Mustang. He's pretty careful to build you what you're looking for, I honestly didn't have enough answers for him and told him "do whatever you think is best" quite a bit. It wasn't as expensive as you might think for a full rollerized custom C4. Be prepared to wait a little while, when we were doing ours he was building the drag pak transmissions for Dodge (which may or may not be public knowledge?) and of course Dodge took priority.
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I have been running a Broader AOD in my '62 Merc for the past 8 years with 0 issues. All road miles, not a drag car by any means, but definitely gets lots of miles banging around town and down the interstate.
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A lot of good info here. Does anybody actually have a c-6 from broader
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I have had a PA FE to C4 bell ordered since June 30-2023. was told for months would ship Jan 30-2024, now moved back to May. I have a QuckTime and had to have it modified to fit the C4. Plus the QuckTime has very small access to work in. Have seen PA bell on ebay for 2X what I paid when I placed the order and yes, Jegs has had my money since June 30-2023.
Took several weeks to get PA to resond when the bell would ship after it did not ship in Jan
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I have a wide ratio C6 from Broader in my thunderbird, ~500hp, I abuse it quite a bit, nice crisp gear changes, not great traction so I wouldn't call it hard use at all but no issues in 4 years.
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I have his band and drums that are rollerized but I didn't want the low gear E4OD planet in my application back when I did my C6, I'll probably go light weight drum for the C6 this time around and skip the C4 for now when I convert back from manual 4 speed
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Joe you may want to reach out to Doug Bender or Jim Macione on this. Doug had a Broader C6 in his Fairlane before he converted it to a 4 speed. I purchased the C6, never used it and sold it to Jim. I think Jim is running it in his 68/69 Torino Cobra clone. Also, quality control has dropped off considerably at Performance Automatic. I was disappointed by the state of their main repair shop in Maryland last time i visited. (It reminded me of an Hunts Point chop shop) I would reach out to Frank Lupo at Pro-Formance Transmission in Delaware on a C6 build. He is within driving distance. I am running one of his C4's in my Maverick and am extremely happy with it and their customer service.
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I will give them a call on Monday Steve. It can’t hurt to get some info and I do like the fact that he is less than 3 hour away. I do have my tranny all boxed up to go to Broader but I definetly should at least call pro formance