Skip to main content
Topic: 3.8 3speed trans for 302 with aod questions... (Read 2053 times) previous topic - next topic

3.8 3speed trans for 302 with aod questions...

Hello all! Thanks for your time to read this..

1) will it fit the 302?
2)driveshaft fit with this 3spd?
 3) Xmember mods ?
My car is an 84Fila, donor is 84 cougar. I want to roll in this car, even if i give up 4th gear. Im planning on doing a rebuild on the old AOD while this one gets me to work.

thanks again!

3.8 3speed trans for 302 with aod questions...

Reply #1
I am pretty sure the flex plate/starter is different than a 5.0L car.  However I could be wrong.  That would be the first thing I would research though.
84 TurboCoupe with 302 .010 over - 9.8 : 1 Forged Pistons - Edlebrock Goodies:  Aluminum Heads #6037, Intake #3821, 65mm TBI/EGR #3824/3827, Camshaft #3722 -  Interactive System & Technologies Mass Air with 24# Injectors - A9L - 3g Alternator - BBK shorties, Cat Converter H-pipe, Magniflow lers - World Class T5 1352-169 (1986, V8, WC, 3.15 3.35 1.93 1.29 1.00 0.68) OEM Clutch Cable - 7.5 Trac Lock with 3.08 and slapper bars from 82 Mustang.

3.8 3speed trans for 302 with aod questions...

Reply #2
All autos use a 164tooth flex plate. the 3.8 uses a 28oz imaballance flywheel.

physically a 3.8 trans will bolt up as it has the same bolt pattern, but I'm not sure if the torque converter and everything else would work well.

the 4r70's are a popular swap now a days for 302 guys, and you can get them.for the 3.8 motors past the 2004 year.

i personally swapped a sn-95 3.8 t-5 in place of my aod, and i love every second of it.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com


 

3.8 3speed trans for 302 with aod questions...

Reply #4
Thanks again for the input!

The only reason i thought of this was because i just dont like tv controlled transmissions. also the cougars trans is nice .
Im not sure the transmission in the Fila (the aod) is any good. tv cable is not hooked up . i can put it in D with the 302 at idle and the car doesnt move. i do hear the rpms drop a little, car wont move.
iso, what should i do? Keep old aod? I would hate to go buy that lokar bracket and cable and the AOD still wont work.

AEROCOUPE, your car sits nice. i like how you removed all that trim. picture mine in white and and charcoal gray hehehe

3.8 3speed trans for 302 with aod questions...

Reply #5
Sounds like your AOD is shot. I had a car that did that once…ended up replacing the AOD outright. I'm sure it could have been rebuilt but the car was straight out of the boneyard, so I went back and they gave me a deal on the trans.

3.8 3speed trans for 302 with aod questions...

Reply #6
I have a 83 T-bird that originally had the 3.8 and I am running a C5  behind a carbureted 302 now.

1) It will fit the 302 ,but the threads in the blocks, for the belhousing bolts, are coarse thread vs. fine thread (I think the 3.8 had the fine threads) you will need new bolts !!!

2) driveshaft fits just fine

3) xmember works fine (no mods)

The [COLOR="#FF0000"]STOCK[/COLOR] C5 tranny will not run behind the 302 , you will need to have some work done to it !!!!
and the flex plate from the 3.8 has smaller bolts in it ,than the 302 so you have two options : drill out the holes larger or buy a new flex plate (I would opt for a new flex plate)

These are some of the things that I can remember off hand, when I did mine !!
If you are willing to spend a little money, it can be done and the trans works very well with a 302 !!
Never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly.
:birdsmily: :birdsmily: :birdsmily::birdsmily: 
  [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
:birdsmily: :birdsmily: :birdsmily::birdsmily:
1983 base model,1969 302 (originally a v6),upraded c5,currently 30,441 original miles.

3.8 3speed trans for 302 with aod questions...

Reply #7
Looks like im going to pull both and sell them! Id rather go old school with either a c6-c4 , Chooglin. i want to drive it.
out of curiosity, what " work" will the c-5 need and how much?
Its the stock 302, mustang stock headers, 600cfm edel, performer 289 manifold. it wont be driven hard.

3.8 3speed trans for 302 with aod questions...

Reply #8
Quote from: 84Filoso;436563
Looks like im going to pull both and sell them! Id rather go old school with either a c6-c4 , Chooglin. i want to drive it.
out of curiosity, what " work" will the c-5 need and how much?
Its the stock 302, mustang stock headers, 600cfm edel, performer 289 manifold. it wont be driven hard.

I tried to find the paper work on it ,but no luck,but I think it was around $600

*He added a extra clutch pack
*H servo
*shift kit
*removed the lock up
he also had the original torque converter changed to a 2200-2500 stall !
Never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly.
:birdsmily: :birdsmily: :birdsmily::birdsmily: 
  [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
:birdsmily: :birdsmily: :birdsmily::birdsmily:
1983 base model,1969 302 (originally a v6),upraded c5,currently 30,441 original miles.

3.8 3speed trans for 302 with aod questions...

Reply #9
You are at that point so just install a T-5 and be done with it.  No TV cable with them and less hp loss.  A C-4 will fit but the C-6 will not without some massaging of the trans tunnel.  Both will require drive shaft mods.

Darren

83 351W TKO'd T-Bird on the bottle


93 331 Mustang Coupe - 368 rwhp

3.8 3speed trans for 302 with aod questions...

Reply #10
Man i have lots of options. i just missed out on a complete T5 swap with EVERYTHING i needed for $750....
 Upgrading the c-5....  i would but for the $600 as estimate for a proper rebuil, i guess ill wait and hunt down a 5.0 mustang with a broken motor. im just anxious to drive the fila. For now, ill put the exhaust on hold until i find a transmission.  Also, suppose i do find a t5, how will i get the digital speedo to talk to it?
I dont know how to begin this transmission plan, YET:) ALL HELP gladly appreciated.

Noé