FYI FORD MustangSteve's Ford Mustang Forum / C4 Shift Kit

**Posted by kardad** 8/17/2024 6:19 PM

I’ve picked up a really clean stock 66 coupe, 289, Auto.
It was originally a 3-speed car that I converted to a C4 for the previous owner several years ago when they got tired of the manual.

I am sure that I will eventually convert it back to a manual and throw a T5 in it but for now I am enjoying just cruising it around. My only complaint is the C4 is actually too smooth, I would actually like to feel the shifts.

Have any of you put a shift kit in and not regretted it?

I was looking at the Transgo Stage 2

**Posted by Bentworker** 8/17/2024 9:21 PM

Might look into a Fairbanks kit. In my experience they are simpler than Transgo

**Posted by TKOPerformance** 8/18/2024 7:04 AM

Transgo IME are the best shift kits on the market. You can trade complexity for ease of installation, but its not without cost. Other manufacturers like to make the shifts all or nothing, so even at part throttle, while you just want to cruise you get harsh shifts. Transgo kits IME shift as smooth or even smoother than stock at part throttle, but bang gears hard at WOT. Exactly what you want.

**Posted by Rufus68** 8/18/2024 8:59 AM

If you think you will put in a T5 in the future and if the only issue with the C4 is that it is butter smooth, then I'd say just enjoy it for being smooth and save your funds for the future. If it ain't broke, don't break it.
...just food for thought

**Posted by 6sally6** 8/19/2024 5:10 PM

I have installed shift kits in a 70 Dodge Challenger to a S-10 pick-up......BOTH were better than stock slush box.
My lil 4.3 V-6 still barks 'em going into second @ 250,000 miles on the engine !
As you prolly know there are several reasons to run a 'firm shifting' trans compared to the stocker. (all good)
6sally6

**Posted by 6sally6** 8/19/2024 5:23 PM

This is how ya tell if ya didn't install it right !!!
6s6

Last edited by 6sally6 (8/19/2024 5:24 PM)

**Posted by BobE** 8/20/2024 6:01 AM

Always loved that picture!

**Posted by TKOPerformance** 8/20/2024 7:05 AM

And you know back then that tranny didn't have the protective blanket over it to save the driver from shrapnel. I always wondered what those things were for. No longer!

**Posted by pbrownrk** 8/20/2024 8:53 AM

I was riding with a friend who had a 1938 Chevy coupe with a built 327. We were racing another car in an industrial area of LA. He power shifted into 3rd and part of the flywheel came thru the floor and out the roof just in front of me. Talk about an adrenaline rush!

**Posted by Ron68** 8/20/2024 2:35 PM

kardad wrote:
I’ve picked up a really clean stock 66 coupe, 289, Auto.
It was originally a 3-speed car that I converted to a C4 for the previous owner several years ago when they got tired of the manual.

I am sure that I will eventually convert it back to a manual and throw a T5 in it but for now I am enjoying just cruising it around. My only complaint is the C4 is actually too smooth, I would actually like to feel the shifts.

Have any of you put a shift kit in and not regretted it?

I was looking at the Transgo Stage 2

When I rebuild the C4 I put in my 68 (was out of a 79 Mercury Monarch) years ago, I put in a Transgo shift kit. Never had a problem with it, even when I did a little drag racing at the track. It always shifted just fine. The only reason I installed the 4R70W was that I was tired of cruising at 60 doing 3000 rpm, otherwise I would have kept the C4. ( It is nice to cruise now at 60 doing just under 2000 rpm)

**Posted by kardad** 8/20/2024 4:45 PM

Ron68,

I have always swapped out autos for manuals (mostly T-5's), but on my last build (55 F100) I used a 4R70W with the Baumann US Shift Quick 4 controller, and I was really surprised how easy the wiring was and how well it shifted, and EVERYTHING was adjustable. I would consider it again. These cars are just so much fun to toss around with a manual.

But it's a two-part project, I won't swap an overdrive without changing gears and wont swap gears without overdrive. I thought I may add a shift-kit and keep the 2.80 gear for now, it will end up with an OD of some type eventually.

Trying to keep it simple, but I'm not capable of not making changes.

Got my Wheels and Tires on over the weekend,

**Posted by 6sally6** 8/21/2024 10:03 AM

kardad wrote:
Ron68,
,

That garage is TOO neat and organized !
6sal6

**Posted by MS** 8/21/2024 11:24 AM

The wheels look good. I wish I had gotten the alloys.

**Posted by Ron68** 8/21/2024 1:03 PM

kardad wrote:
Ron68,

I have always swapped out autos for manuals (mostly T-5's), but on my last build (55 F100) I used a 4R70W with the Baumann US Shift Quick 4 controller, and I was really surprised how easy the wiring was and how well it shifted, and EVERYTHING was adjustable. I would consider it again. These cars are just so much fun to toss around with a manual.

But it's a two-part project, I won't swap an overdrive without changing gears and wont swap gears without overdrive. I thought I may add a shift-kit and keep the 2.80 gear for now, it will end up with an OD of some type eventually.

Trying to keep it simple, but I'm not capable of not making changes.

Got my Wheels and Tires on over the weekend,

I also have the Quick 4 controller. Happy with how it turned out. Like the wheels and tires too.

**Posted by kardad** 8/21/2024 1:24 PM

6Sally6 you should see the other side of the garage.

MS - I have bought more wheels and tires over the years than I can count, BUT I still stress and research to death each set. Always trying something different. I still prefer the look of real chrome, but after my last run of steel Magnums, I just couldn't do it again. I had all intentions of getting 15x7's Front and 15x8's rear with 225 & 235. At the last minute I decided on 15x7's all the way around and 215 & 235. The fit great, like the staggered look and don't rub anywhere. I decided that if I want to push them out a bit to fill in the wheel well, I could always use a small spacer, but if I needed to suck them in, I would be out of luck.

Ron68 - I may PM you some questions about how you like the 4R70W, I'm on the fence between that and a T5 for overdrive.