Best Transmission Choice

[SSDDBRONCO]

Just gathering some information for the future. I was wondering what transmission is a good choice for me. First off i have a 302 carb, 4.10 gears, 33's tires, c4 transmission right now.
My future mod would be a 408 stroker around 450 hp, but i want my tranny before i get this future motor;D
I will go no more than 35's for tires in the future as well.

Im open for both automatic and manual, but definitely want overdrive. I prefer auto because it would be easier for me when off roading, but i dont mind manual even though i have only driven a stick shift one time, but im a fast learner;D.
So what's good and not and why?
Thanks for your opinions

 

[ep67bro]

Thats alot of horse power! I would say if you must have over drive a Ford ZF manual or a NV4500 manual would be best. For an automatic a C6 will handle it and even a well built C4 but they have no overdrive. An AOD would give you overdrive but they are know to be week. There is a newer trans that some people have used (4r700w I think) that can handle high horse power and gives you over drive but it is not cheap and neither are the adaptors!

 

[garberz]

That's a lot of motor. Your going to find a lot of weak links in your drive train with all that HP and torque. Trans with overdrive would be 4r70w (auto) or ZF,NV4500 (manual 5speeds). Those are the most popular for bigger HP. If you put some 35's on there and stick with the C4, your cruising speed will be a little more comfortable on the fwy. The 410's are a good gear with the 35's. With an auto trans you'll be a little less likely to break things out on the trail as long as your careful.
Mark

 

[SSDDBRONCO]

i thought about it and ya 450 hp is a lot but just in case i want a tranny that can handle up to that much power. If i was to beef up my c4 with the 35's how would cruising rpm be?

 

[bax]

A c4 can be built to handle all a 408 can give it. As far a cruising speed goes it is still one to one so a gear calculator will get you your rpm at speeds.

 

[Nightstick]

I'm not trying to piss in your cheerios here, but I think you're being a bit optimistic about getting 450hp. If you are able to get 450 out of it at the wheels it'll probably be at very high RPMs which isn't really practical for an off-road rig. I too wanted the biggest, baddest engine on the block, but in the end I would have spent a ton of money on something that belongs in a muscle car, not a bronco. There was a thread a month or so ago with a couple people posting their chassis dyno numbers. You'd think with a 393 or 408 they'd be up in the 400 range, but they were actually closer to 200. We want a lotta low end torque, not high end hp. Now if you plan on drag racing your rig then by all means get that 6000 RPM HP, but when you're mostly running under 3000 while crawling, 450HP at 6000 RPMs usn't gonna do ya any good. It would look good on a billboard next to your rig at a car show though...

Again, I'm not calling you an idiot for wanting that kinda power, just ask yourself if it's worth the money, and does it fit your intended usage.

 

[SSDDBRONCO]

I'm not trying to piss in your cheerios here, but I think you're being a bit optimistic about getting 450hp. If you are able to get 450 out of it at the wheels it'll probably be at very high RPMs which isn't really practical for an off-road rig. I too wanted the biggest, baddest engine on the block, but in the end I would have spent a ton of money on something that belongs in a muscle car, not a bronco. There was a thread a month or so ago with a couple people posting their chassis dyno numbers. You'd think with a 393 or 408 they'd be up in the 400 range, but they were actually closer to 200. We want a lotta low end torque, not high end hp. Now if you plan on drag racing your rig then by all means get that 6000 RPM HP, but when you're mostly running under 3000 while crawling, 450HP at 6000 RPMs usn't gonna do ya any good. It would look good on a billboard next to your rig at a car show though...

Again, I'm not calling you an idiot for wanting that kinda power, just ask yourself if it's worth the money, and does it fit your intended usage.

i feel what your saying, well we will see what happens in the future just trying to find a good tranny and no matter what i need at least 400 hp or else i will just stick with my 302 and forget everythng else;D

 

[bax]

To the wheel HP #'s are way different that flywheel HP #s

 

[SSDDBRONCO]

To the wheel HP #'s are way different that flywheel HP #s

ya i know. ;D. im wanting at least 400 hp to the wheel and it can happen but like said money plays a big part but damn i dont care;D its all good and im more into mud and sand but little crawlin

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Well stated Nightstick.

Unless he is into mud drags or sand dunes .... then the race type motor would be fun.

How do you intend to use the bronco ?

Since overdrive is a must , I'm guessing you are looking for fuel mileage to some extent.

I would guess that a 408 with a somewhat mild cam will give you plenty of "fun time" power , enough torque to use the OD to its best benefit and that same prodigious amount of torque will be good on trails. win win win.

You will break driveline parts with that motor if you get too happy with the skinny pedal.

Now , put too big of a cam in there and you lose your driveability across the board and break more parts.

How did your question about trannys turn into a discussion about motors ? ;D

The three trannys listed above are good choices , I would probably choose the one that ends up being shortest overall after all the adapters and transfer case are installed.

 

[Nightstick]

I vote for the ZF if you go the manual tranny way. Slap a ln NP205 on it and you won't need an adapter kit (small mod still required but much cheaper than stickin with the D20). C6 seems to be the choice for heavier duty auto transmissions. Check around with different shops in your area for prices. I thought for a while I'd have to fork over $1500 for a ZF but ended up getting one for $1000 with no core and a 12 month warranty.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

its all good and im more into mud and sand but little crawlin

there ya go !
Wasn't typing fast enough ....

 

[SSDDBRONCO]

how did my question about tranny turn into a motor thread well dont ask but i think everyone got excited about a 450 hp bronco;D and ya overdrive so that when im driving out the off road place i wont be getting 5 mpg

 

[DonsBolt]

contact this place
I have one of there trans in my Lightning that puts down 760ftlbs of torque to the rear wheels, has been just awesome

http://www.brianstruckshop.com/

They build a E4OD might be something to look into

 

[bax]

E40d in a bronco? Come on Don that thing is super long.