We’re always talking about engines here but we basically neglect the major driveline component that turns the motor’s grunt into action, the transmission. As much as some factory engines have their own mystique, transmissions have the same thing. From the A-833 four speeds that backed Hemi Mopars to the beefy Turbo 400 automatics from GM, the gear boxes have has much hair on their collective chests as the engines do. Ford of course had the top loader four speed and their automatics, especially the brawny C6 to handle the abuse from their torque monster V8 engines.
We thought of this question while watching the show Wheeler Dealers on the Discovery Velocity channel. That particular TV show is filmed in England and basically follows two guys who buy cars to fix and flip them for a profit. Often times, because the cars are mostly English models, they are little sporty pieces. The transmissions and rear ends look like they are from the island of Lilliput. That’s not the scenario with classic American stuff. While the four speeds are fairly compact, the automatics are large and in charge. Go ahead and throw around an old school iron case Powerglide and let us know how light it is. We have a Studebaker 3-speed automatic in the basement and we’re pretty sure an explosive charge would not bother that thing.
Today’s question of the day covers all factory transmissions. Automatics, manuals, CVTs (BLECK), etc. We want to settle the debate!
Question of the day: What’s the best factory transmission ever?
4L80E. Old commercial trucks and vans are the best value around, and most GM’s will have this shockingly reliable unit sitting behind the engine, be it a pint size 4.3 all the way up to the last gen torque monster BBC. Abuse isn’t a strong enough word for what these slush boxes can handle.
Plus, they have a very supportive aftermarket, offering stand alone controlers and even five and six speed conversion kits.
The cherry on top? Low buck and plentiful. Sounds like a winning Hot Rod combination a la the ’32 Ford, tri five Chevy, and all those disposable, unit body Cameros and Mustangs that people (still) drool over.
Auto 727–Manual A-833 both for durability & Strength
so many come to mind–muncies in m20/m21/m22 flavors, st10’s,
TH350/TH400, 904/727 torqueflite, C4/C6, toploaders…
but the one that is possibly used in more racing/hi performance applications
and has THE biggest aftermarket following, more than any other on the planet
is the lowly 2sp powerglide.
in anything under 3200lbs, its “usually” quicker down the 1/4 with a glide.
they will take (literally) 1000+hp when built properly, and aftermarket case
and bell types will typically handle 2000+hp.
and as my friend mick says, it has 2spd for a reason–
fast and FASTER.
so, the p-glide has it all–small size, light weight (aluminum versions..)
tons of parts support in aftermaket, the ability to handle monster amounts
of power reliably, AND by design works really well-plus they are sorta affordable, when compared to a TKO 5spd/gforce/etc…
is it my “favorite”? no. but it just may be the “best”………
If you want to include the aftermarket industry, the ‘glide wins hands down but from the factory, the ‘glide was junk.
From the factory, manual is A833 and automatic is T400.
M22, clearly. Not the best, but the first of the best.
Without question, the big in-out ford toploader.
born warner/Tremec T5, been used in many of mustangs and other projects. This Trans is still sought after, and later world class and heavy duty versions still take an a$$ whopping.
They are sought after because you need to keep a stock of them, and most ford guys are too cheap to put a real box in their cars lol
T5\’s are junk. And the world class gimmick worked… the non world class were stronger better boxes.
Turbohydramatic 400. I had one built in 1990, it lived in a 10 second street n strip car for 3 years, then in all my land speedruns over 200 mph, and countless miles on the street. Aaaand, it’s still kickin’.
Toploader 4spd, C-4 and C-6 Auto’s
in a light car (as my SBC MGB) I really like a SuperT-10 (sweet shifting)
morning moderator, Chad said he would have this fixed
C6 and the toploader 4spd
Apparently the most popular tranny out there, according to the major media sources is, Ex-Men Member Bruce Jenner!!
World class t-5
Lol nope
M22 rockcrusher have it in my 1969 Chevelle for years still shifts like it’s right out of the factory
Chrysler A833
Automatic depends on end use.