MrPer

Hello

The C4 has a surprisingly tiny design on its platerary gear set compare to others.
When looking to to FMX bullet proof 6 geared the C4 3 gear unit looks like a toy.

Though it seams to hold up very well and efficient!

But at what point do i need to uprade to a stronger 6 gear unit?

Since i now cram the clutches with more plates it also will be more force going through the trannys parts.

Im not using my car for competition. Only having fun on the street.
Though 275 Nitto tires and 400Hp must have some affect on the gears anyway?

I also noticed the big investment to do this, so im not intrestning to upgrade if its not needed.
I was looking on this kit! or This!

ckelly

Somewhere over 500 flywheel HP. For your appllication, now where near needing a 6 gear.

__________________
1967 Falcon 4 door 351C - 70 Mustang 351C
Owner built, owner abused.

MrPer

Thanks!

I will not go up to that powerlevel.
For the street 400Hp is more than enough.

Mario428

2700LBS, has gone abest of 9.32 @ 142, stock 3 gear planetary with torrington bearings instead of washers.



2700 lbs, 9.92 @135, same planetary as the Falcon

The gears are not the issue, they are lots strong. The washers under the gears are the biggest issue.

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MrPer

Wow!

Ford have done its homework when designing the gears!

I hang on with my stock 1970 gears!

Thanks!

Per

gregaust

Just make sure the washers are in good condition and the gears are smooth. A lot of them now the pins are worn. I have been using a few TCI planet sets now to replace worn stock ones. The front planets can be rebuilt using good rollers ,pins and washers from a rear planet set since they rarely wear . Lube grooves under the washers help them live or bearings as Mario has done.

PaulS1950

The FMX gear set isn't a true six pinion planet setup. It is a three gear double idler that reverses the direction of the ring gear. They use that instead of the two planet setup of the C4 (rather the C4 uses the one idler setup instead of the FMX dual idler). There is less flex in the single idler planet - they are VERY strong and will take 500HP easily inless you are using a big nitrous shot to get the 500HP.
The six planet units that are modified from the stock three planet parts are only marginally stronger because the carrier is weakened by installing the extra gears, There is a forged 4 planet unit made (TCI?) that is a lot stronger than either of the others for C4s that have to take 800+ hp.

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66 Mustang Coupe. 365hp, 4spd Toploader, sub-frame connectors
Shelby drop, suspension tuned for slalom and hill climb
body mods and weight reduced to 2000lbs; name: Muskrat

gregaust

The 4 planet sets are Aussie made Paul. A company called Racetuf make them. I can post some pics if you'd like to see them.I've used a few sets . Only drawback is getting good 2nd hand gears to assemble them .They come with all new rollers and pins and special washers.
The TCI are 6 gear just like P.A etc and come ready to use. They are nice only drawback is they are not machined for a roller. I've used several P.A sets and since P.A give them a warranty they must be confident. I've not seen a 6 gear set broken to date..

PaulS1950

I know a couple of racers who have broken the six pinion sets. Racetuf must not be the only company because I am sure there is a company here in the states that makes some too. I have not had the opportunity to use them since I stopped building high HP C4s but I have used them in the past. I guess I will have to go look at my records and see if I can find them.

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66 Mustang Coupe. 365hp, 4spd Toploader, sub-frame connectors
Shelby drop, suspension tuned for slalom and hill climb
body mods and weight reduced to 2000lbs; name: Muskrat

pendragon

Broader Performane makes a 3 pinion planetary that has bearings in place of the washers. It is cheaper than the 6 pinion units.

MY TWO STANGS

Does the TCI 6 pinion low drag set up not have torrington bearings . I thought that is why they called it a low drag set .

gregaust

If you were to buy the full low drag TCI set i'd say they have the bearings.
I've bought a couple sets of TCI planets on their own and they are NOT machined for a roller.

79Sleeper

When I was looking at planets I called and talked to PA and they stated that the strenght wasn't really the issue, it was wear that was the issue. Anyways, I ended up going with the dynamic rollerized 6 pinion and it is a nice piece. I think it was about $300 or so. In my experience you will have problems with the stock forward drum long before the stock planet. Here are some pics of the dynamic pieces:

C4 pics



Troy

PSIG

Anyone have a number for those bearings? I'm getting ready to rebuild a couple sets of planetaries for my beefy builds and might as well go with the slick setup. I've been doing thrust washer lube mods up 'til now, but the labor is probably equivalent.

Thanks!
David

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gregaust

I'll double check but from memory NTA-815 are the ones Mario used . You need to make a spacer .450 I.D x .500 O.D .Mario used mild steel. I've not got around to doing any yet .