auto's for 429-460's

[wire nut]

What are the automatic trans options for 385 big blocks other then c6's say up to the 514 hp and tork?

[Tom Wells]

Hello wire nut,

There are some stoutly-built C4s available, I am told. They're lighter for sure. Check around the usual suppliers to see where to find one.

I use a C6.

Tom

[wire nut]

I've seen where c-4 have been placed behind stout small blocks, but I didn't think they were avalable in a big block bolt pattern.
Will they hold up as well as a c-6 in a street driven car with some drag raceing time, or are they short run only?

[Tom Wells]

Hi (high?) wire nut,

C4s have separate bellhousings I think - I do know there are some factory 385-to-C4 bellhousings available.

As to durability: probably

It will depend on who builds it and what converter you use, as well as whether you use slicks at the track and if you use a 400HP shot of nitrous . My (uneducated) guess would be that a properly set up C4 would indeed survive.

Regards,

Tom

[cobrashoch]

There are about 30 kazillion C4's out there that fit 429/460's. They are behind 351/400 modified's, as they both have the same bolt pattern. For Cobras a shorter tail shaft housing can be had from old goverment mail trucks and a few other sources. A C4 can be built to take over 800 pounds of torque, runs cooler than a C6, is lighter, and takes considerably less horsepower to drive. This results in more transmitted power to the rear wheels. A short tailshaft C4 tranny could possibly leave you room in a Cobra for a Gear Venders overdrive too. (dependent on a lot of things of course)
I believe that Coan builds just about the best there is out there, but of course there are many, many others. And Coan does not come cheap. On the upside, generally C4's are just about the least expensive of all options out there, when you start compairing the parts lists, and total costs.
I've been preaching that a built C4 with a 10 inch converter is exactly the right automatic for a Cobra for a very, very long time now. Some day, maybe someone may actually do this and give testimony. Todays trannys are not the same trannys your father had in muscle cars 20 years ago.
Whatever you do though, talk it all over really well with the folks that will build any tranny you plan on using. As for me, I'm using a Glide. Good luck.
Cobrashock

[Back in Black]

And how available are performance parts and complete performance assemblies in 2004? I always assumed the C6 was the logical choice for this level of horsepower.. although I have read of some using the C4 for performance work. I have a future project planned where I will need a C6 (I think, possibly behind a 514 or hi-po 460 in a 60's Lincoln Continental limo with suicide doors) so this is an interesting topic