Hello All,
I am contemplating swapping a C-6 out for a E40D in my 1996 f350. I have the 351W and 4x4.
Can it be done?
What are some of the parts interchange problems that I would face?
Any advice appreciated!

 

First question is why would you want to do this??? Yeah the c-6 is cheaper and arguably stronger but the E40D built right can handle a lot of power and has an overdrive not to mention a 2.71 first gear compared to the 2:46 of the c-6. I would not do it. There's my two sense. Now onto the swap. You will need a computer from a manual f-350 since the E40D is electronic and the c-6 is mechanical therefore the engine will not run unless the computer is plugged into the transmission. Since the c-6 has no plug in for the computer you'll have to get a manual computer which requires no plug-in (if you want to test this for yourself, try unplugging the wire to your transmission from the computer and try to start you truck.) The c-6 out of a 300,302,351 will work for your truck. Now you also have to consider the output shaft of the transmission and your t-case. I don't know if the E40D and the C-6 have the same length output shafts. I know they are both 31 spline and that they bolt to your t-case(if it's a bw1356) with a six-bolt pattern. There are also your driveshafts that you'll have to lengthen/ shorten because the transmissions are different lengths, I got a quote on my 90 Bronco to shorten/lengthen my driveshafts for about $200 for both including balancing them. There is also the transmission crossmember that may have to be modified. I can't think of anything else right now, but I'll keep you updated if I learn anything new, I am working on a swap to a manual from an E40D myself. By the way a lot of this info is word of mouth and I am no expert, just to let you know. Good luck.

Alex

 

Hi Alex,
Thanks for the notes but I think you may be backward.( or I posted wrong)
I have the C-6..I am thinking I want the E4OD.
My C-6 does have some electronics on the side..not sure what for yet.
More than reverse lites, I think.
Any way...got any info in this swap?

 

Yep, I definitely read your post wrong. Going to an E40D seems like a much better decision. I am surprised that the C-6 is what came in a 96 f-350, is that the stock transmission? My first concern would be buying the E40D. If it were up to me I wouldn't buy an E40D unless it was 95 or newer because the were a number of important upgrades by then that made it a more reliable transmission (www.baumannengineering.com talks about E40D mods and upgrades, highly recommended). If you buy a used one and rebuild it, include the parts and upgrades recommended by baumann although not necessarily their performance parts (although I have heard good things about their products). I have a 90 Bronco with an E40D and it just went out at 70k miles, course it had a hard life but it was the first year in the Bronco and only the second year Ford used the tranny so it was fairly weak. So about the swap, now that I think about it buying a 94 or later E40D would be recommended because you have to buy a new computer for it as well. As far as I can remember the 94 and later had a 128 pin computer compared to a 60 pin before then so buying a 94 or newer computer would be easier to wire into your 96. Now I only recommend using the same year computer and tranny because I am not sure if it matters if you vary the computer year with the tranny year. Although I do know that 95 and later broncos with the 351 had mass air fuel injection which may have changed the uses of the inputs from the transmission, so I would play it safe and get a 95 or newer transmission if you can. Or just call ur Ford Dealer and they can tell probably tell you exactly which years work. So you'll need a automatic computer, plus you will have a longer transmission thus requiring you to shorten/lengthen your driveshafts, possibly modifying your transmission support cross member, and then you also have to consider whether your t-case will bolt up. If your t-case does not bolt up, I was told than an NP205 from an np435 will bolt to an E40D and I have seen those for a lot cheaper than bw1356(which what i believe you have right now), plus the np205 is a lot stronger than a bw 1356, but with an np205 I don't know if you'd have to change the linkage. Anyway, I probably went into more detail than was needed. I just like to have all of the options laid out if I don't have specific info. I am swapping to a manual (np435) from an E40D which is a very similar process so it is not as bad as I probably made it out to be.

Alex

 

Cant you get a stand alone computer for the e4od

 

The E40D connects into your trucks main computer which runs your fuel injection and electronics among whatever else, so as far as I know you could not just get a computer for the E40D alone.

 

baumann engineering makes kits to retro fit transmissions into older vehicles. Good luck.

http://www.baumannengineering.com/e4odcat.htm

Ryan