Man, I just wish I had more trime to do everything I would like to do in my life.
The crappy C5 is out, and the C4 is in. The shifter linkage is completely different between the two, so I am patiently waiting for my B&M Starshifter to arrive. I also have to do some mods to the cooling lines since a C5 and C4 use different line connections.
My friend Ryan came over yesterday as I was finishing up the C4 build. He had never had the chance to see the car in person. I started it up and let it warm up a bit, then romped the gas a few times. I was thinking: "Man, does this thing rev slow!" It seemed like it took one full second to go from idle to 4000 RPM.
I think I know why - the stock C5 lock-up converter must weight 80 POUNDS!!!
IT IS HEAVY!!
It took both arms to pick it up and move it inside the garage. I should probably just add it to the scrap pile. The 10" converter, on the other hand, weighs maybe 15 pounds. HUGE difference.
I had to do the trans swap by myself. You aren't a real man until you balance a transmission on a small floor jack with one hand and start bolts with the other hand!
I tried to use this guide:
http://fordsix.com/tech/engine/bigbell.php
...to modify the bellhousing to fit the 200 block, but there isn't enough meat in the edge of the bell I had to do that with. I would have to weld extra metal on then machine it down.
Forget it, 4 - 7/16" bolts is plenty to hold the trans to the engine.
well, keep your fingers crossed for me that this trans and converter will work!!