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What is new in B-body transmission swaps and overdrives? #2074101
05/15/16 08:03 PM
05/15/16 08:03 PM
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AZ
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2ndopp Offline OP
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Dropping freeway rpms seems to be a critical part of bringing our cars up to date. My 73' Plymouth satellite currently has a strong 727 with 3.73 gears in the back. I plan on bumping up to 4.10 eventually, but not before I take car of the transmission. I thought I wanted to go with the gear vendors bolt on overdrive, but then I found out about the A-518 swap. These are great choices, but since it's 2016, I was wondering what new options we have for swaps. Are there any modern 5 or 6-speed automatics that can be installed with minimal fabrication? Here are the options I know about:

Gear Vendors 727 bolt on overdrives:
3-speed plus overdrive (.78)
https://www.gearvendors.com/hrdodge3s.html
Minimal fitting adjustments, driveshaft lengthening
4.10 gears drive like 3.20

A-518 transmission swap
3-speed plus overdrive (.69)
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=84774.0
Major alterations to fit, new cross member.
4.10 gears drive like 2.83

Keisler A41 transmission swap Discontinued?
3-speed plus overdrive (.70) Electronically controlled
http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/transmission-drivetrain/0908phr-keisler-a41-automatic-transmission/
Minimal fitting adjustments, driveshaft lengthening
4.10 drives like 2.87

Re: What is new in B-body transmission swaps and overdrives? [Re: 2ndopp] #2074309
05/16/16 12:40 AM
05/16/16 12:40 AM
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Granite Bay CA
Kern Dog Offline
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The late model NAG and 545RFE transmissions are physically larger but 5 speed automatics that require a computer to run. The 8 speed in the 2014 and later Chrysler and Dodge models is amazing though, First gear is 4.7 to 1. 7th and 8th are overdrive. Again, the trans needs a computer to run and as of yet, nobody has cracked the code or built a stand alone computer.
TCI had built a 6 speed automatic to fit Mopar big and small blocks. Jegs had them priced near $8500 or so !

Re: What is new in B-body transmission swaps and overdrives? [Re: 2ndopp] #2074343
05/16/16 02:49 AM
05/16/16 02:49 AM
Joined: May 2005
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Florida
BDW Online content
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I went with the 518 in my SB Challenger and love it.
I definitely wouldn't say it was major modifications. It was the least expensive option.
I have 3.73 gears and the OD has made the car so I don't mind taking it on 2-3hr road trips.


Re: What is new in B-body transmission swaps and overdrives? [Re: BDW] #2074452
05/16/16 11:30 AM
05/16/16 11:30 AM
Joined: Jan 2004
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Eugene, Oregon
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minivan Offline
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My calcs using a GV and 3.55 rear gears would work out to 270 something final drive...
I have 294 gears in it now.. Would love to overdrive it but probably wont happen.....
Over 3.55 gears on the street IMOP, would be overkill....

DSCF0267.JPG
Re: What is new in B-body transmission swaps and overdrives? [Re: 2ndopp] #2074459
05/16/16 11:44 AM
05/16/16 11:44 AM
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 33
Tennessee
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SilverOverdrives Offline
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Posts: 33
Tennessee
Originally Posted By 2ndopp
Dropping freeway rpms seems to be a critical part of bringing our cars up to date. My 73' Plymouth satellite currently has a strong 727 with 3.73 gears in the back. I plan on bumping up to 4.10 eventually, but not before I take car of the transmission. I thought I wanted to go with the gear vendors bolt on overdrive, but then I found out about the A-518 swap. These are great choices, but since it's 2016, I was wondering what new options we have for swaps. Are there any modern 5 or 6-speed automatics that can be installed with minimal fabrication? Here are the options I know about:

Gear Vendors 727 bolt on overdrives:
3-speed plus overdrive (.78)
https://www.gearvendors.com/hrdodge3s.html
Minimal fitting adjustments, driveshaft lengthening
4.10 gears drive like 3.20

A-518 transmission swap
3-speed plus overdrive (.69)
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=84774.0
Major alterations to fit, new cross member.
4.10 gears drive like 2.83

Keisler A41 transmission swap Discontinued?
3-speed plus overdrive (.70) Electronically controlled
http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/transmission-drivetrain/0908phr-keisler-a41-automatic-transmission/
Minimal fitting adjustments, driveshaft lengthening
4.10 drives like 2.87


Keisler is gone but the A41 lives on here at SST!

https://shiftsst.com/articles/cat/mopar/post/charger-gtx-super-bee-1971-1974-perfectfit-kit/


Jeff Kauffman
VP Sales & Marketing
Silver Sport Transmissions LLC
844-609-8187
Re: What is new in B-body transmission swaps and overdrives? [Re: 2ndopp] #2074544
05/16/16 01:52 PM
05/16/16 01:52 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,354
A gulag near you.
JohnRR Offline
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Pictures of this INSTALLED???

Kiesler was great for a NO CUTTING required install that made a mess of the factory driveline angle because many Mopar owners refuse to cut anything ...


Mainstream Media is the new Pravda
Re: What is new in B-body transmission swaps and overdrives? [Re: 2ndopp] #2074567
05/16/16 02:50 PM
05/16/16 02:50 PM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,143
Tucson, AZ
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cruzin Offline
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Tucson, AZ
Perhaps you may want to give the 200r some consideration?

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/thre...ocation.252436/

Re: What is new in B-body transmission swaps and overdrives? [Re: 2ndopp] #2074781
05/16/16 09:33 PM
05/16/16 09:33 PM
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 78
AZ
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2ndopp Offline OP
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Awesome news! Thank you silver.

Cruzin, that .67 overdrive in the 200R4 sounds very tasty.

Re: What is new in B-body transmission swaps and overdrives? [Re: JohnRR] #2074800
05/16/16 10:02 PM
05/16/16 10:02 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 18,167
Mass
DAYCLONA Offline
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Mass
Originally Posted By JohnRR
Pictures of this INSTALLED???

Kiesler was great for a NO CUTTING required install that made a mess of the factory driveline angle because many Mopar owners refuse to cut anything ...






John, I think your confusing the Tremec TKO 5 spd MANUAL withe the 4spd AOD (A41), I've done the 4spd AOD (A41) in a 71 B body with NO mods to the floor, driveline angles were within factory specs, the 4spd AOD is no larger than the TF727, the 4spd AOD (A41) was truly a "bolt-in" kit application

Re: What is new in B-body transmission swaps and overdrives? [Re: 2ndopp] #2074880
05/16/16 11:51 PM
05/16/16 11:51 PM
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,154
Its a TRAP!
DARTH V8Я Offline
Oh No!! I just had a moron attack!
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Posts: 2,154
Its a TRAP!
A41 kit is nice, real nice.. but spendy. I'll second the 200R4 route.


When it takes more than a sweet mullet to prove you rule at the trailer park..
Re: What is new in B-body transmission swaps and overdrives? [Re: 2ndopp] #2075006
05/17/16 10:10 AM
05/17/16 10:10 AM
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 206
Maryland
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mrob Offline
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Maryland
Here's another link for an A-518 swap into a 68 Charger. Biggest problem I see is the torsion bar cross member. It needs to be modified quite a bit. See pics:

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,116725.msg1448658.html#msg1448658

Re: What is new in B-body transmission swaps and overdrives? [Re: 2ndopp] #2075023
05/17/16 10:29 AM
05/17/16 10:29 AM
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,520
West Palm Beach, Florida
Copper Dart Offline
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Still only small blocks right?
Any big block automatic affordable overdrive options?


Common sense, the least common of all the senses.
Mom.

For fear of ridicule, society stifles creativity.
Ricky Valdes
Re: What is new in B-body transmission swaps and overdrives? [Re: 2ndopp] #2075085
05/17/16 12:10 PM
05/17/16 12:10 PM
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Posts: 3,603
Dandridge TN
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Dabee Offline
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I have a GV on the 727 in my 69 Bee street car. Going on six years now and love it. I have a manual reverse VB and drive it like a four speed. 2500 rpm at 75 mph.

Re: What is new in B-body transmission swaps and overdrives? [Re: Copper Dart] #2075498
05/17/16 11:45 PM
05/17/16 11:45 PM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 18,493
Granite Bay CA
Kern Dog Offline
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Originally Posted By Copper Dart
Still only small blocks right?
Any big block automatic affordable overdrive options?


The Silver Sport transmission is available with either a small block or a big block bell housing. The transmissions they use have a bolt on bells.

All the other options, Mopar 500/518, GM 2004R or the 700R4 would have to have their original bell cut off and have a JW ultra Bell bolted on.

Re: What is new in B-body transmission swaps and overdrives? [Re: DAYCLONA] #2075575
05/18/16 12:57 AM
05/18/16 12:57 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,354
A gulag near you.
JohnRR Offline
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Originally Posted By DAYCLONA
Originally Posted By JohnRR
Pictures of this INSTALLED???

Kiesler was great for a NO CUTTING required install that made a mess of the factory driveline angle because many Mopar owners refuse to cut anything ...






John, I think your confusing the Tremec TKO 5 spd MANUAL withe the 4spd AOD (A41), I've done the 4spd AOD (A41) in a 71 B body with NO mods to the floor, driveline angles were within factory specs, the 4spd AOD is no larger than the TF727, the 4spd AOD (A41) was truly a "bolt-in" kit application


Thanks Mike , I don't know much about that auto trans and whenever I see something that came from Kiesler and had a NO HACK FIT I'm VERY SKEPTICAL after seeing a car with a Kiesler T5 and the bottom of the stock fan blade almost touching the radiator.


Mainstream Media is the new Pravda
Re: What is new in B-body transmission swaps and overdrives? [Re: 2ndopp] #2084488
06/02/16 05:46 AM
06/02/16 05:46 AM
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 78
AZ
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2ndopp Offline OP
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AZ
What are your recommendations for choosing between lock-up and non lock-up torque convertors? What situations are better for each?

Re: What is new in B-body transmission swaps and overdrives? [Re: 2ndopp] #2084492
06/02/16 07:06 AM
06/02/16 07:06 AM
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Posts: 2,356
Kentucky
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dfsmopars Offline
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Installed an A500 in my '72 Charger five years ago. It is great behind a late model 360 magnum. Put 1300 miles on it in one trip.


‘72 Charger, 5.9 Magnum, Tremec 5 spd., Pro-Touring
‘14 Big Horn, Quad Cab, 4x4, 1500
Re: What is new in B-body transmission swaps and overdrives? [Re: 2ndopp] #2085548
06/03/16 08:52 PM
06/03/16 08:52 PM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,316
West Coast, USA
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I drove a B-Body with a Gear Vendors. It was too little of a difference in gearing for the $, and a bother to use compared to what I have now.

I ended up using a 200R4 in my A-Body. While not cheap, the gear ratios are as close to perfect as you could get. Combined with the lock-up feature, it's like having a 5 speed automatic. Heck, I beat a Hellcat in a flag drop drag race over 300 miles from home. Next to EFI, it's one of the greatest upgrades you can do to these older Mopars.

US Cartool makes a kit to swap the transmission in, and Lonnie at Extreme Automatics can set up a 200R4 to hold over 1000 hp and it will bolt up to any Mopar engine out there including the GenIII Hemi's with the exception of the Slant 6.


1970 Plymouth 'Cuda #'s 440-6(block in storage)currently 493" 6 pack, Shaker, 5 speed Passon, 4.10's
1968 Plymouth Barracuda Convertible 408 Magnum EFI with 4 speed automatic overdrive, 3800 stall lock-up converter and 4.30's (closest thing to an automatic 5 speed going)
Re: What is new in B-body transmission swaps and overdrives? [Re: 2ndopp] #2085565
06/03/16 09:10 PM
06/03/16 09:10 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 36,840
South San Francisco, Californi...
MidPenMopar Offline
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Originally Posted By 2ndopp

Keisler A41 transmission swap Discontinued?
3-speed plus overdrive (.70) Electronically controlled
http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/transmission-drivetrain/0908phr-keisler-a41-automatic-transmission/
Minimal fitting adjustments, driveshaft lengthening
4.10 drives like 2.87


Thats the one i have in the road runner now. Work pretty darn nice!!

I have 373's in the back and i am spinning 2000RPM at 65MPH or at least as close as my in dash tach says.

Re: What is new in B-body transmission swaps and overdrives? [Re: jbc426] #2085653
06/03/16 11:36 PM
06/03/16 11:36 PM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 18,493
Granite Bay CA
Kern Dog Offline
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Granite Bay CA
Originally Posted By jbc426
I drove a B-Body with a Gear Vendors. It was too little of a difference in gearing for the $, and a bother to use compared to what I have now.

I ended up using a 200R4 in my A-Body. While not cheap, the gear ratios are as close to perfect as you could get. Combined with the lock-up feature, it's like having a 5 speed automatic. Heck, I beat a Hellcat in a flag drop drag race over 300 miles from home. Next to EFI, it's one of the greatest upgrades you can do to these older Mopars.

US Cartool makes a kit to swap the transmission in, and Lonnie at Extreme Automatics can set up a 200R4 to hold over 1000 hp and it will bolt up to any Mopar engine out there including the GenIII Hemi's with the exception of the Slant 6.


Ok, I am interested.







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