Improvemnets for the stang

[jlangholzj]

Well I'll have some free money floating around this summer, and I've got a few things I'd like to change on the stang.

1) shift kit.

there's a few out there...transgo, hughes, b&m etc etc...what is a brand that some of you guys have had luck with? also it seems like each kit may be a bit different? I'm looking for something to really lock in the tranny, like a "performance" kit. suggestions?


also


2) gears.

I reaally want to put some lower gears in my rear end!

i just have a C-4, so I'm thinking that 3.50:1 would be the highest i want to go. Although i don't do a lot of highway travel, it would be nice not to be wound up tight going down the highway. so suggestions on gears? I've got 3:00 : 1 right now. also, I'd think that summit would have some...but i'm having a hard time finding the right thing...suggestions?


thanks a ton guys.

-John

 

[rbohm]

Well I'll have some free money floating around this summer, and I've got a few things I'd like to change on the stang.

1) shift kit.

there's a few out there...transgo, hughes, b&m etc etc...what is a brand that some of you guys have had luck with? also it seems like each kit may be a bit different? I'm looking for something to really lock in the tranny, like a "performance" kit. suggestions?

transgo and B&M are both very good kits, i have used them in the past. hughes is also good, though i have no personal experience with their kits.

also


2) gears.

I reaally want to put some lower gears in my rear end!

i just have a C-4, so I'm thinking that 3.50:1 would be the highest i want to go. Although i don't do a lot of highway travel, it would be nice not to be wound up tight going down the highway. so suggestions on gears? I've got 3:00 : 1 right now. also, I'd think that summit would have some...but i'm having a hard time finding the right thing...suggestions?


thanks a ton guys.

-John

i also would not go with a gear lower than 3.50 with the C4. in fact a 3.25-3.31 gear is an excellent compromise ratio for a mostly street car. another option though would be to keep the 3.00's for street driving, and pick up another pumpkin and stuff it with a set of 3.89's to be installed at the track for racing, and then you can swap the 3.00's back in when you leave, or the next morning if need be. trust me you will get to where you can swap pumpkins in about 15 minutes or so(an electric impact wrench would be a good idea).

 

[jlangholzj]

3.89's would be tits but since its not going to see much (if any) "track time" I'm opting for the 3.31. besides the fact, I'm usually not going much over 55-60 in it down the road...b/c who takes their stang somewhere if they're in a hurry?! i like to enjoy my rides




so my next question is...with the shift kits....they really don't tell you much of a difference between them...IE... they're like 20 transgo kits all with different prices and the same description... would the best thing to do is call a summit tech?

 

[rbohm]

who takes their stang somewhere if they're in a hurry?! i like to enjoy my rides

in fact i do, or rather will when i finish the car, someday. i not only enjoy driving the car, i enjoy going fast!

so my next question is...with the shift kits....they really don't tell you much of a difference between them...IE... they're like 20 transgo kits all with different prices and the same description... would the best thing to do is call a summit tech?

john, depending on what year your C4 is out of, there are three kits i recommend;

for the 65-66 C4 use Transgo Performance 45-01 - TransGo Performance Shift Kits - summitracing.com

for the 67-69 C4 use Transgo Performance 47-1 - TransGo Performance Shift Kits - summitracing.com

for the 70-up C4 use Transgo Performance 47-2 - TransGo Performance Shift Kits - summitracing.com

 

[65ShelbyClone]

2) gears.

I reaally want to put some lower gears in my rear end!

i just have a C-4, so I'm thinking that 3.50:1 would be the highest i want to go. Although i don't do a lot of highway travel, it would be nice not to be wound up tight going down the highway. so suggestions on gears? I've got 3:00 : 1 right now. also, I'd think that summit would have some...but i'm having a hard time finding the right thing...suggestions?

You probably have an 8" rear, right? Summit has everything from 3.00 to 4.62 for it.

Like everyone else, I wouldn't recommend going higher than ~3.50 with no overdrive. I have 3.50s in my '68 with a Toploader(1:1 4th gear same as the C4's 3rd gear) and it tachs around 3000 at 60mph.

 

[raleighstang65]

I put the Transgo Performance kit in my 65' not long ago and love it! Very easy to install. Shifts are nice and firm when you "get on it" and mild when easing into it.

I also installed 3.55 gears with a Traction Loc unit a few months ago. Great bang for the buck upgrade. I got mine on eBay, don't see the seller listed anymore but IIRC it was about $350 fully assembled. The 3.55 gears with my C-4, 17" wheels with 235/45 tires is right on the verge of not being fun to drive on the highway. I'm right around 2,800 rpms at 60 mph. Most of my driving is around town so it's not a problem at all for me.

Hope this helps!

 

[jlangholzj]

thanks alot for the input guys. I think from what I've heard...3.50 might be a little high for my liking, and just re-assured my thoughts on a 3.25 / 3.31

just out of curiosity...anyone here have them in their stang? and how much of an improvement...-ish...will i see going from 3.00 to say 3.25 's ??