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Author
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Topic: FMX Rebuild?
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grandestang
Gearhead Posts: 375
From: Lake Bluff, Illinois USA
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 07-28-2003 05:02 PM
   
Alright, should I spend the money to have my FMX rebuilt completely- ($1000) or should I buy a C-4? Can I get a good C-4 rebuilt and ready to drop in for this price? Cause I'm thinking, I know that from an earlier post (from Alex) that the FMX is not exactly a performance transmission. So why dump a grand into it? The only thing holding me back is originiality... but what do you guys think?Paul ------------------
1970 Grande
H code 351W FMX
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fastford34
Gearhead Posts: 876
From: penna
Registered: May 2002
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posted 07-28-2003 05:09 PM
i`d go with the c4. its a proven street/race trans & a lot of places make/build the c4 (replacement parts are easier to get!). the fmx is a tad larger/heavier than the c4.
just my .02------------------
34 coupe powered by 351 c 4v
keith
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grandestang
Gearhead Posts: 375
From: Lake Bluff, Illinois USA
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 07-28-2003 05:14 PM
Yes, I am definitely leaning towards the
C-4, but what can a good rebuilt one be had for? Or even a new AOD?Paul ------------------
1970 Grande
H code 351W FMX [This message has been edited by grandestang (edited 07-28-2003).]
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fastford34
Gearhead Posts: 876
From: penna
Registered: May 2002
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posted 07-28-2003 08:41 PM
a c4 (tci) from summit is listed for $740.00
my local shop will build a c4 for $700.00 even. now you need the converter & misc parts to make the change. about the cost to rebuild your fmx,except you have a better,stronger,lighter,more reliable set-up. again,just my opinion.------------------
34 coupe powered by 351 c 4v
keith
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RonnieT
Gearhead Posts: 835
From: Port Allen, La. 70767
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 07-29-2003 06:11 AM
You can always store your old FMX if you are worried about originality and swap back if you ever decided to sell.
I guess my first question would be what are your plans for the car, do you use it as a race car, or is it street car that might make a occassional trip to the track. For a race car the C-4 is the only way to go.
If it is a street car then rebuilding the FMX may be the way to go. Remeber that there is more than just swapping the transmission involved. You will need new cooler lines, nuetral safety switch, and Kickdown rod. I am not sure if the driveshafts for the C-4 and FMX are the same or not, so you may need a new driveshaft. Just a few added cost you have to consider.------------------
Ronnie
69 mach1 351W-4V engineless at the time!
70 Torino GT 351C-4v with a "shaker"
Mustangs and More Member #23
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Bloose
Gearhead Posts: 692
From: Milwaukee, WI
Registered: Dec 2001
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posted 07-29-2003 07:29 AM
The AOD is a nice alternative if you want to run a low gear and still keep it streetable. But they are expensive, and weak. You need to spend a pretty sizeable amount of money and time to strengthen it for any performance usage. Also, the converters are more for it.I did get a pretty good deal on my AOD on e-bay. It was a rebuilt trans never installed. I got it for $265. Then I had to buy a $180 input shaft, a $100 shift kit, and a $500 converter, and there are more things I should have done to it. Plus, it's still not as strong as a C4.
HTH,
B-loose
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grandestang
Gearhead Posts: 375
From: Lake Bluff, Illinois USA
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 07-29-2003 12:09 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Bloose:
The AOD is a nice alternative if you want to run a low gear and still keep it streetable. But they are expensive, and weak. You need to spend a pretty sizeable amount of money and time to strengthen it for any performance usage. Also, the converters are more for it.I did get a pretty good deal on my AOD on e-bay. It was a rebuilt trans never installed. I got it for $265. Then I had to buy a $180 input shaft, a $100 shift kit, and a $500 converter, and there are more things I should have done to it. Plus, it's still not as strong as a C4.
HTH,
B-loose
The AOD is really interesting me now. I did a little searching and found http://www.transmissioncenter.net/AOD.htm These guys do C-4's and AOD's. The AOD's they have are of course more expensive than the C-4's but the overdrive just might be worth it. Plus they have a "dominator JR." which is an AOD good for up to 500 horses. Is it real hard to put in an AOD? I don't know, I guess I would just feel bad dumping $1000 into an FMX for a rebuild, cause with that money I'm almost paying for a "built" AOD, and about $300 more for "built" C4's I have seen. Anyone with the AOD- is it worth the extra cash? (gosh, it would be nice to run that low rear gear  ) Oh yeah, and this is a street car with occasional visits to the track Paul ------------------
1970 Grande
H code 351W FMX
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Tbird
Gearhead Posts: 298
From: USA
Registered: May 2003
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posted 07-29-2003 12:49 PM
Just curious as to what they quoted you to run an overhaul of the FMX up to $1000?An FMX is not a difficult transmission to overhaul and kits are still available. A Transgo shift kit from bulkpart.com is $50.86
An overhaul kit is like $25-$50, depending on which one you have
Pro Street TC is $265.00
Additional parts such as sprag, bands, bevil spring etc would only add another $30-$50 to the parts price. Carrying the transmission into them, the overhaul labor would be around $300. A $1000 seems awful high of an extimate.
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grandestang
Gearhead Posts: 375
From: Lake Bluff, Illinois USA
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 07-29-2003 12:53 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Tbird:
Just curious as to what they quoted you to run an overhaul of the FMX up to $1000?An FMX is not a difficult transmission to overhaul and kits are still available. A Transgo shift kit from bulkpart.com is $50.86
An overhaul kit is like $25-$50, depending on which one you have
Pro Street TC is $265.00
Additional parts such as sprag, bands, bevil spring etc would only add another $30-$50 to the parts price. Carrying the transmission into them, the overhaul labor would be around $300. A $1000 seems awful high of an extimate.
It also factors in dropping and reinstalling the transmission which is also expensive to (labor). But your right it does seem a little high. He said he would "go through" the transmission and make it like new (and don't worry he's a respectable transmission guy). And I'm not about to spend $1000 without finding out exactly what he's gonna do to it. Paul ------------------
1970 Grande
H code 351W FMX
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Bloose
Gearhead Posts: 692
From: Milwaukee, WI
Registered: Dec 2001
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posted 07-29-2003 11:50 PM
The hardest part of putting in an AOD is the TV cable (is like a kick down cable). But if you get the Lokar it's not really that bad. But the cable will run you another $80.Otherwise it's pretty straight forward. Mine was a bit tougher because I had a 3 on the tree originally. B-loose BTW, I run a 4.62 rear gear and can drive on the freeway at 65 mph no problem.
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