Emissions versus Transmissions
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Trailering
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 21
Likes: 4
Emissions versus Transmissions
I'm rebuilding a 1987 F150 XLT Lariat 2WD that had a trashed engine (351W). I wanted to buy a replacement C6 transmission but the place said that what they sell won't meet emissions standards, thus couldn't be used on my truck if I was going to drive it on the street?
I never heard of anything like that before. I live in Missouri, for what that's worth.
So, what on the transmission affects emissions standards?
I never heard of anything like that before. I live in Missouri, for what that's worth.
So, what on the transmission affects emissions standards?
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 4,285
Likes: 2,416
From: Everywhere and nowhere
Depending on your budget you could just look at something from somewhere like Summit/Jegs like a TCI unit. I would source the parts myself and rebuild a bulletproof unit with a full manual valve body. A C6 can't be that hard to rebuild.
Thread Starter
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Trailering
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 21
Likes: 4
Thanks for the info. I don't really have a good shop to work in and have never torn an automatic transmission apart, so am a bit uneasy about diving into something that I plan to use for a daily driver.
TCI is the place that told me their transmission which is advertised as stock and suitable for RV use would not be street legal because it was not emissions compliant.
The stuff that I've seen at Summit & Jegs is about a thousand dollars more.
Certified Transmission told me that they only do install/replace and won't sell one off the shelf. I can't do that because the truck is not drivable, has no engine at this point.
I do appreciate your suggestions.
TCI is the place that told me their transmission which is advertised as stock and suitable for RV use would not be street legal because it was not emissions compliant.
The stuff that I've seen at Summit & Jegs is about a thousand dollars more.
Certified Transmission told me that they only do install/replace and won't sell one off the shelf. I can't do that because the truck is not drivable, has no engine at this point.
I do appreciate your suggestions.
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,722
Likes: 2,648
From: SE Florida
Two things.
First, the truck was certified for emissions with a transmission that wasn't a C6. Changing almost anything in the drivetrain changes that configuration to one that was not certified as compliant.
Second, the C6 will result in much higher engine RPM, which burns more fuel, which causes more emissions.
First, the truck was certified for emissions with a transmission that wasn't a C6. Changing almost anything in the drivetrain changes that configuration to one that was not certified as compliant.
Second, the C6 will result in much higher engine RPM, which burns more fuel, which causes more emissions.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
In '87 pretty much the ONLY auto trans available behind the 351w was a C6, the E4OD didn't exit yet and in general Ford didn't put an AOD behind that motor in a truck.
Was this a high performance shop specializing in racing applications? A trans with a high stall converter would have some small effect on emissions but so what, how many people are running around with gutted cats or wide open exhausts? How many diesel trucks you see rollin coal? How many heavily modified hot rods you see cruising the streets?
My response here would have been... well that's cute but it's none of your business, you going to sell me a transmission or do I go somewhere else?
Was this a high performance shop specializing in racing applications? A trans with a high stall converter would have some small effect on emissions but so what, how many people are running around with gutted cats or wide open exhausts? How many diesel trucks you see rollin coal? How many heavily modified hot rods you see cruising the streets?
My response here would have been... well that's cute but it's none of your business, you going to sell me a transmission or do I go somewhere else?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 107
Likes: 28
From: Indianapolis IN
I’ve never heard of such a thing before either. I think they are mistaken. if it were my truck and I didn’t want to attempt it myself I’d find a local shop to rebuild it and install it yourself. You’d save a lot of money. If it’s going to be a stock or close to stock truck you don’t need a fancy TCI unit. The C6 is pretty durable in its stock configuration IMO.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,456
Likes: 2,630
From: Near Salt Lake City
1987 351 probably had a C6
So, dime a dozen, get another, or get yours rebuilt, preferably both
I'd throw a used one in it for now
Then have your original one rebuilt
Also, it's quite easy to overhaul one, but finding hard parts might be tough if you are not in the industry
Look to pay 300-500 bucks for a good used one or 1500 for a good reman with a new torque converter
Have fun
Another note, Ford did put a AOD trans in a F150 behind the 5.0 et al.
So find out what trans you have first
So, dime a dozen, get another, or get yours rebuilt, preferably both
I'd throw a used one in it for now
Then have your original one rebuilt
Also, it's quite easy to overhaul one, but finding hard parts might be tough if you are not in the industry
Look to pay 300-500 bucks for a good used one or 1500 for a good reman with a new torque converter
Have fun
Another note, Ford did put a AOD trans in a F150 behind the 5.0 et al.
So find out what trans you have first
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,539
Likes: 2,030
From: North Texas
IMO, build a decent AOD starting with a '92 or '93 core as they are the last units. Gain economy with the 33% OD, it is plenty strong once hopped up a bit and kept out of OD until needed (freeway cruising).
Call Transtar if you need parts, but you better know what you are doing and ordering.
Call Transtar if you need parts, but you better know what you are doing and ordering.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,832
Likes: 2,436
I have never heard of a transmission affecting emissions especially since your truck already has that model trans. What C6 transmission were you trying to buy that they wouldn’t sell/install in your truck? You could go back and show them the trans code from door sticker that says the truck came with a C6 but I wouldn’t want give them any money. I’d be looking for another shop.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,822
Likes: 1,029
Why would you want to deal with a shop that does not seem to know what they are talking about? Why would you push them into that job?
I would evaluate what you are doing and see what other options you got.
I would evaluate what you are doing and see what other options you got.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,456
Likes: 2,630
From: Near Salt Lake City
It definitely had a C6 behind the 351. So the original engine was swapped from a 5.0L to a 5.8L at some point because the OP said …
I have never heard of a transmission affecting emissions especially since your truck already has that model trans. What C6 transmission were you trying to buy that they wouldn’t sell/install in your truck? You could go back and show them the trans code from door sticker that says the truck came with a C6 but I wouldn’t want give them any money. I’d be looking for another shop.
I have never heard of a transmission affecting emissions especially since your truck already has that model trans. What C6 transmission were you trying to buy that they wouldn’t sell/install in your truck? You could go back and show them the trans code from door sticker that says the truck came with a C6 but I wouldn’t want give them any money. I’d be looking for another shop.
it was, and still is, all about corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) To THEM = OBEY
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,832
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Which is irrelevant since the truck came from the factory with a C6. If the owner wants to install an upgraded transmission with different internal parts that has nothing to do CAFE standards. The truck is 37 years old.