Looking to change to a stronger transmission than the rollerized redneck c4 I have so I'm not pulling it out and freshening it all the time. Anyone swap in a th400 into a Pinto without cutting it to pieces? I own 78pinto's old car but the new combo has out grown the c4. Twisted the hardened input shaft the last time at the track. Ran a 9.78 but no mph reading as it wasn't working but usually trapping 143mph.

Here is a video from the private track rental I was at if interested.


Any info would be great.

I'm torn between the two. I do street drive it as well.

Its 78pinto's old car. He was a mod here that passed away a few years ago. Great guy. I think the original build was well documented here that's why I posted the video. The combo has changed quite a bit now. It has a 351w stroked to a 383, twin turbo and a redneck c4. My combo has out grown the c4 so its time for something a bit more reliable. I'm constantly fixing it.

I'm not looking how to do the swap. I was hoping maybe someone with a Pinto had done it and had some feedback on if I need to do a lot of cutting or if it fit as is. Not looking for a how to, just a confirmation it will fit without major cutting. I know there are tons of cars that it will work in but cant find anything pinto specific other than the ones that have been cut to pieces and tubbed. I figured where else to ask, this is a Pinto site. Thought maybe someone may have done an ls swap or something. Anyway if anyone has any info please let me know.

Have you looked at the ford Overdrive trans for the 5.0 , fellow i know that has one in a pinto with a built up 5.0 and been working well over the years with no trouble , since you drive on the street it extra gear will help with the gas mileage and engine wear, last would be a ulta bell bellhousing so you could use the 700R4 trans on the ford engine , known to hold up to big blocks , but i would check with PAT transmissions to see if the ford overdrive is up to specs for HP output ,

Mustang408, thank you for the added information.  It is helpful to understand your situation.

 To the other Pinto posters. I believe "Mustang408" is looking for anyone who had done the 351 (383) / TH400 installation into a Pinto because his greatest interest is how much transmission tunnel modification (if any) is needed.  He seems to have all the technical aspects down as to what he wants. He is just tired of fixing the C-4. The TH400 being an engine used behind GM big blocks is know for its strength and at this stage reliability seems to be his highest priority. So, if anyone knows of a TH400 install in a Pinto... .

Thanks for clarifying things for me to everyone. The th400 is the strongest production 3 speed trans out there. That's why i want to use it. If I have to cut the tunnel out I will go glide because it will fit. Im ok with a bit of modifications to the tunnel but don't want to cut the car to pieces.

A TH400 would be a strong trans and I know you do not want to cut the car up which leads to other problem alone the way , C-6 is kind of long , I had to move my trans mount back 4 1/2 inchs to use the A4LD overdrive on my V6 and even hated to cut out the whole trans mount to fit it, the trans i was going to use was a 700R4 and made a bellhousing to fit the V-6 , but the long tube headers hit the front servo piston and did not want to even cut those headers (looked for years to find them) the trans was shorter than the Ford overdrive and the plus it had a 3 to 1 first gear and overdrive , i am only posting this since you say you drive on the street and thought you might want to keep the rpm low and mpg a tad higher when you runaround , and can you post more specs on you engine and mods , 9s in a street pinto is great , R & D to get that takes time and money , Cheep R & D is Rob and Dupicate 

You do some very cool builds!

A TH400 would be a strong trans and I know you do not want to cut the car up which leads to other problem alone the way , C-6 is kind of long , I had to move my trans mount back 4 1/2 inchs to use the A4LD overdrive on my V6 and even hated to cut out the whole trans mount to fit it, the trans i was going to use was a 700R4 and made a bellhousing to fit the V-6 , but the long tube headers hit the front servo piston and did not want to even cut those headers (looked for years to find them) the trans was shorter than the Ford overdrive and the plus it had a 3 to 1 first gear and overdrive , i am only posting this since you say you drive on the street and thought you might want to keep the rpm low and mpg a tad higher when you runaround , and can you post more specs on you engine and mods , 9s in a street pinto is great , R & D to get that takes time and money , Cheep R & D is Rob and Dupicate 

Thanks for the info. I've had a chance to do some measuring of a friends th400 and looks like it should fit with minimal cutting but will be super tight and I will have to make a mount. Here is some info on my Pinto.

The motor is different from the original build when I bought it. I broke two pistons last year. I took all my best parts and put this motor together. The motor is a 1985 351w .030" over block, forged eagle crank and I beam rods stroked to 383. It also have custom Ross 8 5 1 pistons built for boost, the ring package is a lot lower. The cam is a FTI billet custom cam with morel link bar roller lifters. Heads are twisted wedge fast as cast 190cc with PAC ls style springs and has trick flow roller rockers. The intake is an edlebrock performer and has a CSU holley 750 blow thru carb. I added a msd 6al2 programmable for boost retard, these boxes are worth every penny. Fuel is an aeromotive a1000 and boost referenced regulator.

For transmission right now I have a fully rollerized redneck c4 with transbrake and a PA 9" 4000 stall. Swapping in this stall from the original was a night and day difference. The rear end is a 9" with custom 4 link 3.00 gears.

The turbo setup is T04e 60 trim p wheel, A/R: 68 / .50 running 10 psi on 94 octane and meth injection. The car is an animal lol. Ill be upping the boost when I get a good trans. I've had to add a drag wing and front spoiler to keep the car stable on the top end. Any questions please ask.

DODGE torqueflite tranies were used in early funny cars and worked great. Still being used in drag car today.