Ideas?!?!
 

I'm gonna run a 331 in my 72 effie w/ flat tops, cam, and beefed heads, and the 302 comes with cam and heads already on it for 1200, then i have to get the stroker kit for whatever it costs w/ machine work, do you think a C4 would be appropriate, I only am gonna have a $4000 budget. Or is the $4000 not gonna be enough do you think? I might be able to pull off $5000, but I am gonna be on a pretty tight budget and wanna do this right so I don't have to come back to it later on in the project. I'm sure if I do use a C4 it will need to be beefed up to handle that motor, and I can't imagine an AOD being a good idea or cost effective one, any ideas for other transmissions that may suite this project better? It will mainly be driven on the street, while it will only go to a track minimally. Any help with ideas would be much appreciated. Thanks guys!

I work in Trannys all day long (now), and thank you for being smart enough for staying away from the AOD. However.....
The big concern here isn't really just the power going to the wheels, it's also the OTHER factor no one takes into account, and that's the weight of the truck and what it's being made for (just racing/performance or towing?).
Actually, and I can hear the griping right now, the AODE (or 4R70W/4R75E) wasn't a bad transmission, but it did require the electronics, which sounds like something that's not in the offering; so, if that's off the table, it leaves us with the old 3 speeds.
A well built C-4 would probably hold the power well, especially with a good shift kit (which will result in higher line pressures and the inheirent harder shifts). I don't think the C-6 was ever availible behind the 302 engine as a factory option. BUT, I could be really wrong on this, as I've lost a few brain cells over the last 30 years or so.
Anyway, you could search around for a conversion kit that would allow you to bolt a C-6 up to the 302. Someone out there has to have made a kit for this, as you can't be the first person to ask about it.
And addtionally, just a little FIY; the AODE could hold up to about 450-500 horses properly built. But again, that doesn't seem an option. But it sure would be nice to have the lower rpm's of Overdrive. It would reduce engine noise and probably be a really nice road truck.

Thanls!!
 

Thank you, I talked to a friend of mine who has a couple of connections and he can get ahold of a reman. C6 with a brand new torque converter that will hook right up to the 302 for $695. He conned me out of doing the C4 cause he has one hooked up to a stock 302 in his 79 and isn't really happy with it, wishes he would have ran a C6. I really do appreciate the advice! (And I as well am not a fan of the AOD's)