C4 question...

[35Remmy]

Found this from an excellent article in a mustangandford.com article about the C4 transmission and all of the differences amongst them throughout the years...

"Also remember offset balance. If you're building an early small-block Ford (before '82), expect a 28-ounce offset (smaller counterweight). After '82, expect to see a 50-ounce offset with the large counterweight. This is common with '82-and-later 5.0L High-Output V-8s".

Now the 302 I have is an '88HO and I know that the HO's themselves had a larger counterweight, or harmonic balancer....so obviously they (the c4 and the HO's) were matched accordingly during those years? Why? What was the need?

Does this mean I have to use the correct c4 (besides 157 tooth flexplate/smaller bellhousing) for the HO or do I just need to use the larger counterweight if it's an earlier C4 OR does it not matter since this 302 is putting out 400HP?

Thanks for the help guys!!!

 

[baddad457]

The HO 5.0 and a C-4 were never paired together from the factory. The C-4 predates the HO 5.0. The C-4 production ended before the 50 oz 5.0 came out. The C-5 was around for a short time then, but these only came with 164 tooth bells. Your 88 motor requires a 50 oz/in flexplate, in either size (157 or 164 tooth) depending on the bellhousing used. A 157 tooth, 50 oz flexplate is an aftermarket only item. TCI and B&M both make these flexplates.

 

[35Remmy]

Thanks for the clarification...yes I meant C5, heh.

Any idea why the C4 is so much more popular than the C5 if, as I understand it, the C5 is a C4 with OD, allowing a lower running RPM? Is it just as durable?

 

[projectnitemare]

The C5 is basically a C4 with a few changes to allow for a lockup torque converter. You can make it a C4 again by changing the converter and valvebody with one from a C4.

Matt

 

[baddad457]

As projectnightmare said, the C-5 has a lockup torque converter feature, there's no overdrive in any C-4 or C-5. The bellhousing also has to be changed as it's 1" deeper than a C-4's.