After digesting the fantastic advice that y'all gave me about what knid of engine to put in my 72' Comet GT i just need one more major item to replace in it. It has 3-speed automatic and since I am putting a new 302 engine in it would a ford 4/5-speed manual tranny that fits on the 302 work? (given i have to cut holes for the clutch pedal & stick shifter.)
WARNING: Your'e not gonna like what you're going to hear in this thread either. :harbinger: A pedal assembly from a donor is required. Not an easy task (from what I hear). AOD would be a better choice (imho) if it will be a daily driver.
There's nothing wrong with the 3-speed auto but if you are really wanting to change it then I agree, go with the AOD.
I apologize for ,y ignorance but my love for muscle cars has only been burning a few months so a lot of my Questions are gonna be like my 2 previous ones. 1. What is an AOD? 2. After driving my 454 mannual pickup truck for over a year now I fear I will lose that conection that comes with a stick 3.Also i have heard mention of how a "Stall Converter" could give me the feel of a manual tranny. what is it and what does it do?
Don't listen to those sissy stick drivers. Banging gears is the real fun in driving. You can go with either a 4 spd or 5. 5 speed stuff is easier to find and probably cheaper. Plus with the cost of gas, the overdrive is the better choice. You will need a clutch pedal set up from another Mav or Comet. After that, the clutch linkage is the challenge. If you go with the 5 speed, you can adapt the clutch cable set up from late model mustang. Plentiful stuff.
Automatic Overdrive Yes, you will lose that connection even if you go with a fully manual valve body in your tranny (which allows you to manually shift your automatic into gears without the use of a clutch). A "high" stall converter will cause the need for the engines rpm's to increase to get your car moving. The higher the rpm's, the more torque you have to send to the rear wheels on take off. It will help in drag-racing applications but would not make for street-friendly driving. I'm just full of optimism aren't I? Unsolicited advice alert: Enjoy the setup you have. A lot of folk would envy your 3-speed automatic.
Hello again! Again, no one is trying to discourage you here, just letting you know what you are up against. If you want fun driving, and ease of installation, go with a stout C-4 (3 speed auto) with a ratchet shifter. Closest you can get to a standard with an auto tranny. If I had to choose between 4 or 5 speed manual, I'd go with the 5 speed. I will eventually. There is an article somewhere (I'll try to find it) on doing the conversion. There was a guy on ebay selling pamplets on how to do it also. Good luck!! Preston
dude you have to go manual. i did the swap and am very happy i did. the main probleam is that you have to track down a clutch pedal assembly and a z-bar if you dont want a cable clutch. but besides that you could put what ever manual trans you wanted in. i have a 3 spd in mine right now and i want to find a 4 spd just for that nostagic feel. but i have also wanted to go with the 5 speed out of a fox body mustang. what ever i can find first for the least amound of money. if you put in a five speed and don't want the cable clutch set up you can get an adapter plate for between the new trans and the old bell housing. you just got to remember that it's your car and you should do what you want with it.
Hello Tex, It is your car...your project,what ever path you chose.....we will all be here.The AOD is a very heavy built 4 speed automatic. All overdrive trannys will not stand up to the harsh abuse of "power shifting",but it can be modified to withstand the pressures...I know this for a fact 'cause I've done just that. My first run after the modification.....I decentergrated my rear gears doin' a burn out...needless to say ,"I drove the car back on the trailer"...When I find this mod...I will post it on here for every one to see...Hotrod-Daddy
A good rebuilt C4 can handle at least 400 HP without any bad effects. Unless you absolutely have to have the overdrive. stay with the C4 if you want an automatic.
Nothing more fun than banging gears in a 5 speed. This swap is done all day long with the early mustang guys, i'd go for it. AOD's suck, bad. AOD's in stock trim suck power like nothing else. I saw a study once that rated it at a 54 horse loss over a t5 on a stock 5.0 HO. Nonetheless, i've done an auto to t5 conversion on a mustang, and it's day and night difference. the mustang guys are all seeing a FULL 3/4 to 1 second reduction in quarter mile times from getting rid of that aod and swapping in the 5 speed. the aod is ONLY a viable option if you build it right. take the time to build it, and you'll get the power back out of it. This includes a solid input shaft, manual valve body, good shift kit, trans cooler, AND a good torque converter. IMO, it's going to be a lot easier and cost efficient to find a used mustang t5 and a clutch cable conversion guide from the early classic stang guys, (or some maverick guys who have already done this) then to swap in an aod and do it the right way.
Im not sure an aod will fit the trans tunnel will it? And if it does will there be enough room for dual exhaust or headers? I m personally would do the c-4, but a stick would be sweet.
I wish to hell I could go the t5 route, however, being that my mother was the original owner of the car, she would freak if it became a row your own boat kinda deal. I'm retaining the original c4 in mine.
