C5 Trans

rj_stang · 01-25-2001, 10:14 PM

Was told i have a C5 in my 86LX 3.8L. Wanted to know if it is and how interchangable is it with C4 parts? I'm putting a V8 between the struts and want to make lots of power without woring about missing shifts.

fiveohpatrol · 01-25-2001, 10:32 PM

uhh unless i've just completely been out of it, i dont think there is even such thing as a C5 tranny, there IS a C4 and a C6 , a C5 is the newest style corvette (the 5th generation) as far as what your car has, i have no clue, maybe a SROD, but the C4 from what i've heard is a great transmission if your wanting to make lots of power

------------------
88 Notchback 5.0, 3.73's, pulleys, BBK headers, off-road H-pipe, flowmasters, subframe connectors, 65mm TB, shift kit, March ram air kit, motorsport wires, MSD coil, upper and lower control arms, 155lph fuel pump, cheap 2800 stall, Crane Adj.FPR, best time- 13.99@99.75, not yet tested times after 1.7RR install

john_86stang · 01-26-2001, 12:08 AM

Oh yeah there is a C-5 but I'm not sure if it was available in 86 on a Mustang. The C-5 has a lock converter with a bell housing that is about 2 inches deeper(as measured from face of bell to front pump bolts). The C-5 is a turd, it came mostly in bigger cars(ie. Lincoln, Big Mercs, and so on). I wouldn't use it for high performance, and C-4 internals are for the most part not interchangeable. Go for a Post-1970 C-4 with the small bell. All parts are still available for it. Some facts and other just my opinion.

John (working on a 86 GT)

Capri306 · 01-26-2001, 12:37 AM

Most definitely the C5 was available, but so was the C3. In fact, my brother has the C5 on his '85 T-bird.
There's two ways to tell which one you have. First is, how does it feel when it shifts? Does it feel like a slingshot on every change, or like normal cars? Second method: look at where the vacuum modulator is. If it's on the rear of the case, it's a C5. If it's on the side, it's a C3 or (God forbid) possibly an A4LD. Best way is to take the pan gasket to an auto parts store, and ask to see the trans filter kit paper catalog. There you'll find an entire section of gasket shapes, part numbers, and other good stuff.

If you are going to a V8, you need to ditch that C5 and get a C4. The C5 will NOT hold up. Their designs are similar, except for the C5's timing valve body and centrifugal locking torque converter, the source of that "slingshot" shift feel.

Just an FYI: Ford made lots of C-series trannies, i.e. C3, C4, C5, and C6. You could kinda call the early two-speed autos C1 and C2, but that's stretching it.

If you see an A4LD, RUN FOR THE HILLS!!!

------------------
Capri306, Moderator, The Mustang Works Online
1979 Mercury Capri, 5.0L -- C4 -- 2.73
1987 Mustang LX Notch

<--- New Timeslips

Unit 5302 · 01-26-2001, 02:01 AM

Hehe, A4LD. Now that brings back some memories. Tranny rebuilding in the middle of winter.

The C-5 is much the same as a C-4, and it was the tranny you'll find on V-8 Mustangs before the AOD, and after the C-4. 1982-1985? I think. The C-3 is a pile.

The A4LD is a PITA to rebuild. That's all I can say about them. Not too reliable either.

If you have 1 2 D OD you've got the A4LD. If you've only got 1 2 D you've got the C3, or C5.

fiveohpatrol · 01-26-2001, 09:24 AM

i stand corrected, sorry for trying to mis-inform you rj_stang

------------------
88 Notchback 5.0, 3.73's, pulleys, BBK headers, off-road H-pipe, flowmasters, subframe connectors, 65mm TB, shift kit, March ram air kit, motorsport wires, MSD coil, upper and lower control arms, 155lph fuel pump, cheap 2800 stall, Crane Adj.FPR, best time- 13.99@99.75, not yet tested times after 1.7RR install

rj_stang · 01-26-2001, 11:29 AM

It's a 3 speed auto P-R-D-2-1 so i'm thinking its a C5. I guess that i'll start looking for a C4 in the yards around here. And see about getting a rebuild kit. Thanks for the info guys.

juiceman · 01-27-2001, 05:04 PM

a c-5 is a c-4 with lockup converter and different valvebody. i believe you can interchance the parts. i know some of the parts are the same. ive done it. call dynamic trans in conn. they will tell you exactly what you can do and sell you parts if need be.

rj_stang · 01-28-2001, 11:21 AM

Hey Juiceman do you happento have their # or if they have an e-mail address. I want to se what i can do about picking their minds on this subject. I found a rebuilt
C4 for around a $100. I want to find out strength differences between the two. Thanks

Unit 5302 · 01-28-2001, 02:43 PM

My dad retrofitted a 1989 GT motor back to a 2bbl carb and intake and exhaust manifolds, and replaced the 3.3L inline six in his 1982 Capri RS with it. He hooked it up to a C-5 he got out of a 1984 LTD I believe. The tranny worked very well until the torque converter went out. No complaints with the tranny, it lasted probably 70,000 miles. Oh and the Capri would catch rubber shifting between 1st and 2nd at 50mph.

Damn that little 369cfm 2bbl really ran.

I wouldn't worry about the C-5 at all.

01-25-2001, 10:14 PM	#1
rj_stang Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Villa Park, IL Posts: 36	C5 Trans Was told i have a C5 in my 86LX 3.8L. Wanted to know if it is and how interchangable is it with C4 parts? I'm putting a V8 between the struts and want to make lots of power without woring about missing shifts.

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01-25-2001, 10:32 PM	#2
fiveohpatrol I'd rather be basketweaving Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,551	uhh unless i've just completely been out of it, i dont think there is even such thing as a C5 tranny, there IS a C4 and a C6 , a C5 is the newest style corvette (the 5th generation) as far as what your car has, i have no clue, maybe a SROD, but the C4 from what i've heard is a great transmission if your wanting to make lots of power ------------------ 88 Notchback 5.0, 3.73's, pulleys, BBK headers, off-road H-pipe, flowmasters, subframe connectors, 65mm TB, shift kit, March ram air kit, motorsport wires, MSD coil, upper and lower control arms, 155lph fuel pump, cheap 2800 stall, Crane Adj.FPR, best time- 13.99@99.75, not yet tested times after 1.7RR install

01-26-2001, 12:08 AM	#3
john_86stang Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Crossett, Arkansas USA Posts: 45	Oh yeah there is a C-5 but I'm not sure if it was available in 86 on a Mustang. The C-5 has a lock converter with a bell housing that is about 2 inches deeper(as measured from face of bell to front pump bolts). The C-5 is a turd, it came mostly in bigger cars(ie. Lincoln, Big Mercs, and so on). I wouldn't use it for high performance, and C-4 internals are for the most part not interchangeable. Go for a Post-1970 C-4 with the small bell. All parts are still available for it. Some facts and other just my opinion. John (working on a 86 GT)

01-26-2001, 12:37 AM	#4
Capri306 Moderator Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA Posts: 1,001	Most definitely the C5 was available, but so was the C3. In fact, my brother has the C5 on his '85 T-bird. There's two ways to tell which one you have. First is, how does it feel when it shifts? Does it feel like a slingshot on every change, or like normal cars? Second method: look at where the vacuum modulator is. If it's on the rear of the case, it's a C5. If it's on the side, it's a C3 or (God forbid) possibly an A4LD. Best way is to take the pan gasket to an auto parts store, and ask to see the trans filter kit paper catalog. There you'll find an entire section of gasket shapes, part numbers, and other good stuff. If you are going to a V8, you need to ditch that C5 and get a C4. The C5 will NOT hold up. Their designs are similar, except for the C5's timing valve body and centrifugal locking torque converter, the source of that "slingshot" shift feel. Just an FYI: Ford made lots of C-series trannies, i.e. C3, C4, C5, and C6. You could kinda call the early two-speed autos C1 and C2, but that's stretching it. If you see an A4LD, RUN FOR THE HILLS!!! ------------------ Capri306, Moderator, The Mustang Works Online 1979 Mercury Capri, 5.0L -- C4 -- 2.73 1987 Mustang LX Notch <--- New Timeslips

01-26-2001, 02:01 AM	#5
Unit 5302 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 5,246	Hehe, A4LD. Now that brings back some memories. Tranny rebuilding in the middle of winter. The C-5 is much the same as a C-4, and it was the tranny you'll find on V-8 Mustangs before the AOD, and after the C-4. 1982-1985? I think. The C-3 is a pile. The A4LD is a PITA to rebuild. That's all I can say about them. Not too reliable either. If you have 1 2 D OD you've got the A4LD. If you've only got 1 2 D you've got the C3, or C5.

01-26-2001, 09:24 AM	#6
fiveohpatrol I'd rather be basketweaving Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,551	i stand corrected, sorry for trying to mis-inform you rj_stang ------------------ 88 Notchback 5.0, 3.73's, pulleys, BBK headers, off-road H-pipe, flowmasters, subframe connectors, 65mm TB, shift kit, March ram air kit, motorsport wires, MSD coil, upper and lower control arms, 155lph fuel pump, cheap 2800 stall, Crane Adj.FPR, best time- 13.99@99.75, not yet tested times after 1.7RR install

01-26-2001, 11:29 AM	#7
rj_stang Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Villa Park, IL Posts: 36	It's a 3 speed auto P-R-D-2-1 so i'm thinking its a C5. I guess that i'll start looking for a C4 in the yards around here. And see about getting a rebuild kit. Thanks for the info guys.

01-27-2001, 05:04 PM	#8
juiceman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: ny Posts: 197	a c-5 is a c-4 with lockup converter and different valvebody. i believe you can interchance the parts. i know some of the parts are the same. ive done it. call dynamic trans in conn. they will tell you exactly what you can do and sell you parts if need be.

01-28-2001, 11:21 AM	#9
rj_stang Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Villa Park, IL Posts: 36	Hey Juiceman do you happento have their # or if they have an e-mail address. I want to se what i can do about picking their minds on this subject. I found a rebuilt C4 for around a $100. I want to find out strength differences between the two. Thanks

01-28-2001, 02:43 PM	#10
Unit 5302 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 5,246	My dad retrofitted a 1989 GT motor back to a 2bbl carb and intake and exhaust manifolds, and replaced the 3.3L inline six in his 1982 Capri RS with it. He hooked it up to a C-5 he got out of a 1984 LTD I believe. The tranny worked very well until the torque converter went out. No complaints with the tranny, it lasted probably 70,000 miles. Oh and the Capri would catch rubber shifting between 1st and 2nd at 50mph. Damn that little 369cfm 2bbl really ran. I wouldn't worry about the C-5 at all.