Anybody running a Gear Venders? I'm thinking it looks like the ticket for me. I can build a bullet proof C-6 for about $750 in parts. My first thoughts were a solid roller 428 should have a three speed behind it and too me it sounds perfect. I made a trip to Ocala with the wife and she would have much rather heard 2500rpm vs 3000-3300. But on a lighter note I went thru the Holley and setup a lean cruise of 16.2 afr and was able to get 14mpg @ 3,000-3300 70-90mph with the old 390!

 

There are cheaper options, but none as cool! I've never heard a bad thing about GV.

I was looking at getting one myself, but since I have a small block, I decided on a 4speed AOD instead. It was about a 1/4th the cost to get a brand new rebuild with a warranty.

 

Agreed. Im not an aod would hold up. I built an e4od years ago that took tons of abuse in a 4x4. It would get hot at time but everything has its limits.

 

I'm curious about a 390 GV combo as well. What would one of the "cheaper options" be 351?

 

If buying a used GV be aware that the GV Co. will not give to any credit trade-in for the trans adapter if the used unit has one for a different trans that don't fit yours. They want the old unusable trans adapter that you bought with the used GV. Then they'll charged yo full price for a adapter that will bolt up to your trans.. Nice of them huh! This was why I did not go the a GV unit. about $3300 when all done. This info came form GV about 6-7 yrs ago.

But keep search C/List & ebay for a GV units. I see most guys remove them when their going to sell there vehicle, then it goings up for sale..
Orich

 

A 4R70W would be a better value IMO.

 

You can adapt any number of automatic or manual transmissions for less than the $2500 price tag of a GV.

 

Never been a fan of 'gear splitting.' And as stated above, there is an adapter market, though the FE seems under represented in the automatic side. I have not personally used these guys but:
Ford FE Transmission Adapters
And I know you can build a bulletproof 4R70W by starting with the 4-gear planetary from a truck transmission. Instructions here:
TCCoA Tech Articles
This is what I plan for the wife's Mustang. Or you can get a built unit from Lentech:
Lentech » Products
Like the FE, you can dump some serious coin into a 4R70W without even trying. Did that on the 97 Mounty. Should have just bought the low end Lentech when it was all said and done. But that's because I farmed out the rebuild and the guy kept 'finding things' upping the parts cost and labor. I'm going to call that 'milking.' Lesson learned.

 

I second the 4R70W. One of the best if not the best 4-spd automatic overdrive transmissions Ford ever built.

Some information on the '98 4R70W I'm building for my '69 F100. (Slow project but, it'll eventually get there).

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post15464208

 

If I had $3500 to spare I'd go for a GV in my 460 powered '68 F250. $3500 buys a whole lot of gas.

 

The rude sale rep at GV convinced me to go with the dodge 5spd o/d that cost me about $1700 as, I had to convert the dodge tranny to a short tail shaft cause my truck is 4wd f250 with the divorce transfer case. By using the Chevy nv4500 short rear tail shaft it corrects the drive line angle of 7%.

If a person does a lot of freeway driving then it's worth doing a o/d unit.
Orich

 

Don't know if I read through the parts list right on the Lentech site, but it looks like you can get the Bruiser 4R70W (there cheapest one) and option it with a FE bellhousing for around $3400, so it's in the GV price range, and it's a lock up converter style. But you have to still acquire a TC and flexplate.


I'm sure it can be done much cheaper buying a used 4R70W, rebuild it your self, and do an adapter, maybe in the $2500 range. Depends on what your time is worth to have it done vs you doing it.

 

I was faced with the same choice after I built my C-6 but felt the gv rpm wasn't where I wanted to be so I decided to do a 4R70W conversion to my 460. It cost me approx $3000CAD but that included full rebuild with parts from Dan at silverfox and a dirty dog stall, Baumann controller and adapter from transmission adapters. I absolutely love the set up and can run down th highway at 130km/hr and purr along, it gets me approx 15-16mpg on the highway. I also really like being able to have he option to hook up my laptop and tune my shift points if I choose, or sport mode or manual shift with paddles if I want to rig them up. I pulled my transmission from a 2000 F-150 2WD with a 4.2L V-6 with the small block bolt pattern.


I do have a thread on it somewhere, I know I shared it on the 460 Ford forum and I believe in the 61-66 forum on FTE.

D