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Let's "spec" a Transmission

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  • Let's "spec" a Transmission

    Let's say . . . hypothetically . . . you're building a street/strip car** that in the neighborhood of 5 lbs per horsepower (~ 700 to 800 h.p.).

    And you want to spend the least amount possible . . . .

    And the car's going to spend some quality time on the highway, as well as the strip. . . .

    What manual transmission/clutch or automatic transmission/converter would you use and why.

    Extra points for sourcing something workable or modifiable from the JY (anybody with enough credit can pick up the phone and drop thousands on a new catalog transmission -- this challenge is about "bang for the buck")

    ----------

    Note: at that power-to-weight level, you'll need to comply with NHRA safety rules (scattershield/trans blanket/SFI flywheel/flexplate) in order to race legal.

    **An old Mercury ad from back in the '60s call 'em "Streep" cars, but sadly this bit of advertising speak never caught on.

  • #2
    One just like mine

    Turbo 400 Caddy drum
    big sprag
    valve body
    2007 SBN/A Drag Week Winner & First only SBN/A Car in the 9's Till 2012
    First to run in the .90s .80s and .70's in SBN/A
    2012 SSBN/A Drag Week Winner First in the 9.60's/ 9.67 @ 139 1.42 60'
    2013 SSBN/A Drag Week, Lets quit sand bagging, and let it rip!

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    • #3
      GMPP's 4l85e....

      Pace Performance offers the best pricing on products offered by Chevrolet Performance Parts. Including 19300175 - CPP Supermatic 4L85E 4 Speed Automatic Transmission.
      Last edited by TC; January 18, 2013, 11:38 AM.

      Comment


      • #4
        A Ford I assume....

        Local rebuilder C6 + a good VB like one from Broader Performance would probably outlast the rest of the car. haha
        Life is short. Be a do'er and not a shoulda done'er.
        1969 Galaxie 500 https://bangshift.com/forum/forum/ba...ild-it-s-alive
        1998 Mustang GT https://bangshift.com/forum/forum/ba...60-and-a-turbo
        1983 Mustang GT 545/552/302/Turbo302/552 http://www.bangshift.com/forum/forum...485-bbr-s-83gt
        1973 F-250 BBF Turbo Truck http://www.bangshift.com/forum/forum...uck-conversion
        1986 Ford Ranger EFI 545/C6 https://bangshift.com/forum/forum/ba...tooth-and-nail

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        • #5
          turbo 400?

          I'd be going the other way.
          the smallest tranny to work it.

          it is funny, I am playing with 31 pounds per horespower on a ricer.
          Previously boxer3main
          the death rate and fairy tales cannot kill the nature left behind.

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          • #6
            Powerglide w/TH180 converter.

            Comment


            • #7
              I did that 22 years ago, still using it....TH400 with the 34 element sprag on the early direct drum, switch pitch converter, good clutches and steels, homebrew VB mods. I've had to replace most of the parts over the years, but the most I ever spent on it at one time (when I replaced just about everything including the case and converter) was $700.

              I've given this a lot of thought over the years....I'm still in the same place I started. Interesting.
              My fabulous web page

              "If it don't go, chrome it!" --Stroker McGurk

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              • #8
                New Process A-833 with 10-spline input shaft, Centerforce single clutch disc and pressure plate, Hays steel flywheel, Lakewood bellhousing and block saver, Hurst Super Shifter 3. Install said items in 1969 Road Runner weighing 3450#

                1. Stage car
                2. Depress the fun pedal to the floor.
                3. Depress the loud pedal to the floor.
                4. Put it on the chip
                5. Sidestep the fun pedal
                6. Hang on tight!
                It's really no different than trying to glue them back on after she has her way.

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                • #9
                  In a GM a Th400 is the way to go. You can run the Caddy or truck drums that have 6 frictions and steels in them, the bigger sprag, plug the upshift bypass in the VB, leave three springs out of the high reverse drum, and increase the line pressure. Then stuff a converter in it, I like Continental for my Pontiacs. What stall it is depends entirely on the cam, heads, compression and where the thing makes its power. I have done these for the cost of a $90 overhaul kit and a sprag, but the kits are a bit more now, something like $120-$200.

                  Ford would be a C6 set up similarly to the Th400 or an AOD with a solid input shaft and a few other small parts. The C6 usually runs me about $300 to rebuild it, and an AOD with the better parts is just under a grand.

                  Any Mopar with more than 500hp gets a 727 with a shift kit, maybe a few other pieces.

                  For lesser engines, say 500hp and less a Th350, 2004R, 700R4, C4, 906, A500 will work fine with a bit of work.

                  With the bottom end torque my engines make I dont even bother with manual transmissions. After breaking the ST10 that came in my 79 Formula and two Muncies 21s, its cheaper for me to rebuild automatics than deal with clutches, busted synchros, rounded or sheared gears, and shattered U joints. The sad thing is I cut way better lights with the 4 speed than I do with an auto.

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                  • #10
                    Dude....clutch turbo!
                    My fabulous web page

                    "If it don't go, chrome it!" --Stroker McGurk

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by squirrel View Post
                      Dude....clutch turbo!
                      I was thinking more along the lines of Lenco, but before I can justify that I need more power... Hhmmmm need some turbos on a 400 dont I.

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by squirrel View Post
                        Dude....clutch turbo!
                        Where are you going to find parts for one of those nowadays?

                        Lots of good info in this thread. But I'm a little surprised that the manual transmission contingent hasn't offered more suggestions.

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by The Outsider View Post
                          Where are you going to find parts for one of those nowadays?
                          use the intrawebs, there's a search function

                          My fabulous web page

                          "If it don't go, chrome it!" --Stroker McGurk

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by squirrel View Post
                            use the intrawebs, there's a search function

                            http://www.extremeautomatics.com/tra...hturbo400.html
                            Holy cow!

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              The mopar version was a Clutchflite.

                              I understand the shifts are extremely violent.
                              Life is short. Be a do'er and not a shoulda done'er.
                              1969 Galaxie 500 https://bangshift.com/forum/forum/ba...ild-it-s-alive
                              1998 Mustang GT https://bangshift.com/forum/forum/ba...60-and-a-turbo
                              1983 Mustang GT 545/552/302/Turbo302/552 http://www.bangshift.com/forum/forum...485-bbr-s-83gt
                              1973 F-250 BBF Turbo Truck http://www.bangshift.com/forum/forum...uck-conversion
                              1986 Ford Ranger EFI 545/C6 https://bangshift.com/forum/forum/ba...tooth-and-nail

                              Comment

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