351C intake and gear options?

[cazsper]

The current setup of my '73 Mach-1 is a 4v Cleveland, 224/232 @ .050 hydraulic roller, 10:1 comp, Edelbrock Torquer intake, long tube headers (that suck. They hang down so far), C6 auto and a 9 inch rear with 3.73 gears.

Since I want to change the gears to something more freeway friendly, I also want to change the intake for better low and midrange power. I am interested in changing to an Air Gap intake and 3.25-3.50:1 gears. I have told that the Air Gap wouldn't fit with the ram air hood but my Edelbrock Torquer measures at 4.90" inch and 5.90" (front and rear of intake) and the Air Gap measures at 4.48" for the front and 5.56" for the rear (actually lower than what I already have. Am I missing something?

I would like some feedback on what everyone thinks of my idea. Thanks in advance everyone..

 

[CZ-75]

What kind of HP are you putting out? I think yo'd be best off going to a beefed up AOD transmission that has a 4th gear, and stick with the 3.73 rear end.

Adding the AOD's 0.67:1 over-drive to your 3.73 rear end will drop your RPMs by about 1,100 at 70mph, and you will not sacrifice any of your lower gear ratios you already have

These guys sell AOD transmission and valve body combinations that support anything from a daily driver to applications up to 800HP.

http://www.silverfoxtrans.com/silverfoxtrans.com/Home.html

 

[cazsper]

I actually would like to change to a 5-speed Tremec TKO. My favirite combo is a 5-speed with 3.50:1 gears. As far as power, I just don't know. A 351w with 10:1 and my cam with an Air Gap intake and Edelbrock heads will make 400hp at the flywheel. I would like to say I have at least that.

 

[CZ-75]

I actually would like to change to a 5-speed Tremec TKO. My favirite combo is a 5-speed with 3.50:1 gears. As far as power, I just don't know. A 351w with 10:1 and my cam with an Air Gap intake and Edelbrock heads will make 400hp at the flywheel. I would like to say I have at least that.

Yeah, that sounds like it might be on the low side at 4,500rpm.

Sounds like you want to get more enjoyment as a driver.

I have a 73 351c 2v.in front of a FMX with 2.75 rear end.

I'm thinking about getting to 9.5:1 compression with a piston and valve train job. Then adding in a more agressive CAM, top it off with Edelbrock Performer Intake and Edelbrock Thunder series 600CM carb, and some small tube headers. It already has duewal exhaust, but the stock exhaust manifold.

According to CompCams, that setup gives peak HP of right around 400HP at 4,500 RPM and over 400 lbs of torque at 3,500. And teh torque curve is pretty flat from 1,500 through 3,500 RPMs

 

[1971mach1]

Keep your intake and 3.73 gears,,and get a TKO-600 instead. It should be fine with 3.73 gears.

Not all 5-speeds are geared the same. 1st gear ratio in a TKO-600 is 2.87,

whereas that "5-speed you like with 3.50 gears" was probably a T5 that has 2.95 first gear. Those are almost equivelent gear combos.

(add the tranny 1st gear and rear gear for each combo

(TKO-600) 2.87 + 3.73 = 6.60

(T-5) 2.95 + 3.50 = 6.45

Another plus, the TKO-600 is about 100lbs lighter than that boat anchor c6.

Ask ddperformance.com for their recommendation if you want a professional opinion. They sell both trannys.

 

[Tnfastbk]

Think the difference when most talk about to tall is with a 351C, maybe that where the difference is coming from

 

[cazsper]

I would love to get some shorties or mid length headers. The full length are just too low.

As for the TKO-600, I'm very familiar with it. I have one on my '68 coupe with a 393w with a 232/240 hyd/roller, Air Gap intake and AFR-205 heads. It's nice, but not nearly as smooth as the T-56. I kind of miss that..

 

[droptop73]

Another plus, the TKO-600 is about 100lbs lighter than that boat anchor c6.

Not only lighter but requires about 50 less horsepower to drive it.

 

[Tnfastbk]

Another plus, the TKO-600 is about 100lbs lighter than that boat anchor c6.

Not only lighter but requires about 50 less horsepower to drive it.

So for once I made a good choice:huh:

 

[1971mach1]

As for the TKO-600, I'm very familiar with it. I have one on my '68 coupe with a 393w with a 232/240 hyd/roller, Air Gap intake and AFR-205 heads. It's nice, but not nearly as smooth as the T-56. I kind of miss that..

T-56 is a 6-speed and is about $600 more (although you might find it used since it goes in lots of modern sports cars). Seems doable, if it fits the tunnel. You would definatly want to keep the 3.73 gears though.

1st gear ratio is only 2.66.

 

[cazsper]

True. But 6th is still only .68:1. Not like the GM .5). Then again, I had a stroked Windsor with a Vortech. It made over 550 RWHP below 5500RPM. I didn't have to wind the hell out of it to make any power.