[LADave]

The 1985 LX carb'd 2.3L that followed my daughter home has a C3 transmission that leaks fluid in front and makes a racket at speed. Also it makes the engine turn 3000+ rpm on the freeway. Seems like this C3 is not long for this world. And probably not worth rebuilding anyhow.

I thought about a T5 conversion, but this car will be driven by a variety of family members who aren't all necessarily stick-friendly. OK, so now I'm thinking about swapping in another A/T instead. Maybe an AOD or even AOD-E? I prefer something with overdrive (and hopefully lockup too) to get RPMs down and mpgs up.

Apparently the AOD is considered a decent transmission and the AOD-E is even better. OK, so how easy is this to do this kind of transplant? Will they fit? Do I need to change the driveshaft? change mounts? Given that the computer is a lowly EEC-IV, are there AOD-E versions that will work without heroic interfacing? I'm a shadetree mechanic, but I've never changed a transmission before, so I want this to be a reasonably simple project.

Also what donor vehicles besides Mustangs should I be looking for?

[b_chandler]

There's never been an AOD or AOD-E behind a 2.3L OHC. If you want overdrive your looking for an A4LD. It's basically a C3 with overdrive. It ain't much and it's not something I'd consider for a performance application, but it'll deal with the day to day family commute. You can find them in 4 cyl. Mustangs and Thunderbirds. They were found in the ARB line (Aerostar, Ranger, Bronco II) but I believe the tailshafts may be different therefore making overall length different which rules them out for bolt up swaps.

A more durable, non-overdrive trans would be a C4. You'll need to either find one with the right bellhousing or find a bellhousing separately. They pop up on e-bay periodically.

The last alternative would be to swap in the T5 and tell everyone in the house to "man up". : D

[sleeper_inc]

If you wanna run OD then why not swap to EFI while your at it?... actually you will have to swap because you need the computer and wiring harness

[LADave]

The problem with making everybody "man up" is that three are goils. Well, maybe we could start out with a used T5 and clutch for learning purposes. Wait for stick-proficiency before actually rebuilding and re-clutching.

Changing C3 to A4LD isn't very tempting and switching to EFI even less tempting. Would it be practical to get freeway revs down by swapping to a taller differential? And/or the biggest possible wheels and tires?

[sleeper_inc]

The current gears in your car are 3.08's. The next step is a 2.72 but those are in a 8.8 diff from a 5 speed mustang (87-93 5.0's)

[jamesnelson101]

i think your women should spend a good afternoon in a school parking lot or something learning to drive a stick! none of the conversions from stick to auto are that hard, but finding all the correct parts will nickel and dime you to death. that is not to mention the time spent having to modify asstd. parts that will work but really dont go with the engine you have. so in the long run it WILL save you time and money!

[LADave]

Wifey has driven sticks before but daughters are new drivers. Will have to see how they get along with cars and whether they are prepared to give them some love and TLC. If not, no stickshift.

[sleeper_inc]

I'm just learning how to drive (15) and I know how to drive stick a little bit, its all in the practice.

Best thing I ever did, gravel parking lot with cones