[738drvr]

Frank Merkl FTW!!

Right on. 2000hp through a C6. Try that with a stock case 'glide or 400. He runs stock case, pump, gear set and servo. His own billet drum(800.00), valve body(750.00) and good clutches and rollarized.

Them C6's are tougher than hell.

 

[Topfun99]

FB Performance. I have one of their AODE transmissions in my car. Car is 3550lbs, regularly goes mid-8s with 1.2x short times.

Torque is what kills a transmission and mine is a brute. I've been 8.34 at 163mph and shift at 6500rpm - LOTS of torque in the combo.

I do break planetaries but so do the guys with the GM transmissions. But I can get 100+ good runs in before servicing the tranny. A lighter car with less torque would easily go as high as 200 passes IMO. Other then the planetaries, I don't break any hard parts, just typically wear out the direct clutches at 100-150 passes.

I'm not a fan of the C4s in a heavier car or one with a ton of torque. The hard parts in the AOD are heavier than a C4s.

I looked into changing to a GM transmission a few years ago and it's expensive to do the changeover with a transmission that is as strong or stronger than mine.

 

[738drvr]

I'm building one now(having it built) using Merkyl's parts and the now extinct Trans-King gearset(1st is 2.26). Planning to run 7's with it in a blown application. The technology is slowly coming to the C6's because of Frank M and a couple of others. If these catch on there will be no reason to run a non Ford tranny unless you simply prefer a 2 speed.

 

[738drvr]

Right on Randy. Burnt the forward clutches in my AOD after 5 passes. Going to FB so he can sort it out. C6 back in. Can't hurt it.

I'll have my car at the NMRA race in a week. Running dial in for dollars on Friday. Grudge Saturday night and B2 and/or B3 on Sunday. You coming up?

 

[68FormalGT]

I'm building one now(having it built) using Merkyl's parts and the now extinct Trans-King gearset(1st is 2.26). Planning to run 7's with it in a blown application. The technology is slowly coming to the C6's because of Frank M and a couple of others. If these catch on there will be no reason to run a non Ford tranny unless you simply prefer a 2 speed.

I'm hoping he or someone else can figure out the 2 speed, 2nd gear trans brake for the C6.

 

[Topfun99]

Right on Randy. Burnt the forward clutches in my AOD after 5 passes. Going to FB so he can sort it out. C6 back in. Can't hurt it.

I'll have my car at the NMRA race in a week. Running dial in for dollars on Friday. Grudge Saturday night and B2 and/or B3 on Sunday. You coming up?

In 1000 runs I have NEVER had a problem with the forward clutches except once. When that happened, we found out the ball check valve in the pressure piston was leaking and bleeding off pressure. Replaced the piston and I think I'm still using the same clutches 200-300+ runs later.

 

[Dave Flanders]

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What kind of RPM will a C6 with Merkl's drum be dependable at? I currently run a C4 but plan on upgrading down the road. Shift points will probably be around 8800 to 9000. Decent amount of HP but very low torque motor (turbo 4 cyl.) and I need 3 gears.


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[738drvr]

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What kind of RPM will a C6 with Merkl's drum be dependable at? I currently run a C4 but plan on upgrading down the road. Shift points will probably be around 8800 to 9000. Decent amount of HP but very low torque motor (turbo 4 cyl.) and I need 3 gears.


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Shouldn't he a problem. I got my first of his VB from a guy who was making near 1000hp with a Clevor and he was in the 8-9k range.

I think I have his number. I'll PM it to you.

 

[M-train]

I've never had any problems out of the performance C4's I have built. I prefer the truck C4s because I feel the pan fill case is stronger, and they have separate front pump bolts on the bellhousing for which IMO is also stronger.

Other tricks to do as well, but its fairly an easier trans to build vs something like a #$%$#@# AW55-51, 5 speed auto trans, or a fucking Honda trans.

For the record I've moved on to the 4R trans as its arguably stronger than the C4 plus it has over drive. My wifes 65 Mustang fastback is putting out around 600fwhp with the last c4 I built.

Edit: The best I've seen a C4 do was behind Jay Browns 580 SOHC Ford FE engine in a HEAVY 63, or 64 Galaxie. He made it almost through drag week before having valve train issues, but he C4 trans held up even with slicks.

 

[738drvr]

Anyone know what the fastest pass with a Ford trans is?

Merkyl has run his door car in the 7's.

 

[Bill Diehl]

Broader....best ford trans builder on the planet

http://www.broaderperformance.com/f...com/ford-c4-/168-c4-close-ratio-racing-big-block-transmission-w-transbrake.html

 

[SouthernTrendKill]

Cameron's from Columbia, SC builds a mean glide. I think he still has the record for fastest Pro-Mod glide pass. Billet everything.

 

[shotgunhemi]

The C6 has always suffered from GM syndrome... it's a Ford, so it needs to be swapped for a GM. The C6 is the strongest transmission of all the big 3, and Frank Merkl has been developing them for many years. He runs a 600" C headed BBF with 1 or 2 kits depending on how things are going.. The car weighs over 3000 lbs with the driver, runs 7.4's at over 190, and has no trans issues.
Rollerizing the thrust washers reduces the big drag these transmissions experience, an aluminum high reverse drum lightens the rotating mass by less than half, and a billet forward drum stops the problem of snapping off the snap ring tabs when shifting into gear hundreds of times with 200 plus pounds of line pressure. And since the sprag isn't used in manual low, there's no chance of rolling one and blowing the trans up. Big heavy units to be sure, but virtually indestructible when built by somebody who knows what they are doing!

 

[BLUEOVALRACER]

X1000

Joel told us years ago that the fastest transmission on the planet is a C4. Then he proved it to us.

What transmission is in the car in your avatar then a C-4?

 

[Mr. Hipster]

.


What kind of RPM will a C6 with Merkl's drum be dependable at? I currently run a C4 but plan on upgrading down the road. Shift points will probably be around 8800 to 9000. Decent amount of HP but very low torque motor (turbo 4 cyl.) and I need 3 gears.


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C-6 would weigh more than your engine. Are you breaking the C-4?

 

[ledsled87]

Ford guy till I die..... TH400 or Glide.

There ya go. LS too right?

 

[Big T Racer]

To really "build" a TH400 for serious duty, you will be starting off with an aftermarket case ($$), then billet everything inside.
This makes a full race TH400 cost substancially more than the comparable C6.
The C6 case is STRONG!! and its reinforced in critical areas.
Everything in the C6 is large....so in stock form, they do have a lot of parasitic drag, but thanks to Merkle and Dynamic and others, the lightweight drums and complete geartrain assemblies rival anything thats found inside a TH400 race trans.

 

[ledsled87]

To really "build" a TH400 for serious duty, you will be starting off with an aftermarket case ($$), then billet everything inside.
This makes a full race TH400 cost substancially more than the comparable C6.
The C6 case is STRONG!! and its reinforced in critical areas.
Everything in the C6 is large....so in stock form, they do have a lot of parasitic drag, but thanks to Merkle and Dynamic and others, the lightweight drums and complete geartrain assemblies rival anything thats found inside a TH400 race trans.

Yeah, thats why so many people use the C6 instead of the th400....... NOT.

 

[fe50stang]

Frank merkel for the win!

 

[Big T Racer]

Yeah, thats why so many people use the C6 instead of the th400....... NOT.

This highly technical post of yours is too much to take!!