Need Advice on Fox Body FE Project

[jayb]

I got the car painted at the end of 2023, but no real  progress since then except for putting it together so it can be mobile.  It sure stands out with that paint job LOL!  It still needs all the chassis, brake, and interior work, but the big hold up is the engine.  I wanted to build a 605" engine for the car, using my new cylinder block, but the block is still on the drawing board because I've been so busy with FE Power stuff.  At this point I think it will be another year before I have an engine together and ready to go in the car.  Too many irons in the fire, as usual...

[Gregwill16]

That is awesome!

What transmission do you plan to use?

[1964Fastback]

Looks great so far.  I'm waiting on the prop for the front to complete the look.    At the speeds I anticipate you'll be running, you wouldn't even need to power it - air resistance would spin it.

Pat

[jayb]

That is awesome!

What transmission do you plan to use?

I'm either going to use a 6R80, or else an ATI Turbo 400 with a Gear Vendors Overdrive.  I'd much rather use the 6R80, but to get one that holds up to 1000 HP is very expensive, probably $13K+ with the converter, electronic controller, and special driveshaft.

[hbstang]

what? a c4 wont work like in your galaxie?that had to be 4200 lbs.did you have to work on the trans in drag week?

[jayb]

A C-4 won't take the power the engine will make.

[My427stang]

What a neat ride, well done on the project so far

[bluef100fe]

That is awesome!

What transmission do you plan to use?

I'm either going to use a 6R80, or else an ATI Turbo 400 with a Gear Vendors Overdrive.  I'd much rather use the 6R80, but to get one that holds up to 1000 HP is very expensive, probably $13K+ with the converter, electronic controller, and special driveshaft.

I’ve been occasionally following along with the fairmont build. Why not just use a good old C6? They have been proven to hold plenty of power with the right parts and be reliable. I’ve been beating the snot out of mine for years, refresh it every couple 3/4 years. Key is to use a good valvebody, and correct recipe of parts from Frank Merkl in Canada. From what I’ve found the C6 isn’t anymore inefficient than a TH400. I like to have my ford to be all ford.

[jayb]

Cody, unfortunately I have not had the same kind of luck with a C-6 as you have.  The first time I replaced a C-6 with a C-4 it felt like somebody had let off the emergency brake; the difference in transmission drag was super noticeable.  When I looked into getting a C-6 to live at the 1000 HP level, nobody I talked to would guarantee that.  Most of the top end ones look to be fitted with Torqueflite internals anyway.  On the other hand, the ATI transmissions are designed for specific, high horsepower levels, and have an SFI case, so no screwing around with shields or blankets to meet the racing requirements.  I have had great luck with ATI Powerglides, and recently purchased a 1500 HP ATI Turbo 400 to run in a different car.  If I could get a C-6 that I know would survive at the power levels I'm looking at, I would go with that. But I'm not taking any chances by using the ATI stuff, so I will stick with their transmissions.

[e philpott]

They do have some nice parts available for the C6 now, although I understand why Jay went ATI, they do make a nice Billet Foward drum now that won't strip out, ultra light sun shell , billet light weight direct drum (between the Drum and sun shell is 10 pounds less of rotating weight) and 300M shafts available now if someone wants to build a real high HP unit that probably doesn't lose much to a C4 and a lot stronger

[galaxiex]

I have a couple of C6 units out there behind 1000 HP + blown 460’s.
They seem to be holding up pretty well.
Mind you they are in mud bogger trucks so they don’t see the same shock loading drag racing has.

[hbstang]

i would say mud bogging and off road racing with those big tires can be harder on a trans than drag racing.if that little c4 could handle that galaxie !also get with frank merkle and see if he has any of his valve bodys to sellhis c6 s went 7s behind his bbf nitrous stang for many runs.a lot of guys will back that up.tci is not up to the task and i wouldnt use them!

[Rory428]

I have seen Frank Merkls Mustang indeed run well into the 7 second ET range with a C6, when he attended one of the Mega Ford Weekend races that DaleP was involved with.However, his car IS a full tube chassis FOX body Mustang, that would likely be considerably lighter than Jays stock chassis/floorpan Fairmont. So that must be kept in mind.

[bluef100fe]

I get it… the TH400 is the smarter move… lots of support available… kinda like the SBC/LS of transmissions.. everybody makes parts or has parts for them. Just not cheap to get the good stuff. On my last refresh of the C6 I did upgrade to the 300M input shaft but I’m only 820 hp before the nitrous and 4200 lbs… I know a one other 385 series truck guy that runs well into the 8’s at the same weight as me. Frank has advanced the C6 quite far from what was available 20 years ago.