For a street/strip 727 with a manual valve body what band material should I use? What is a flex band?

Thanks, Justin

pictures always help me.

I prefer the Red lined rigid kickdown bands. They are less abrasive on the drum surface and withstand high line pressure manual valvebodies which tend to rip the spot welds on a flex band. A flex band has a "flexable" steel backing which conforms to the drum shape and is cheap to manufacture. The bad part is when used with high pressure valvebodies, it can fail. Some add more welds and stiffner plates around the anchor points to help eliminate this problem. For a street car with a stock VB, you can use the flex band with red or Kevlar lining. On a race application or high pressure VB with or without transbrake, use the Red lined rigid band for 2nd gear. Never use a Kevlar band on an aluminum drum. John

Pics of rigid and flex band.

Thanks guys , I'll order the red solid band. Today I installed the extra springs in the front clutch so now all I need is a new band, 4.2 lever and hd strut.

I like the ATI Kevlar band on a stock iron drum, also a Kevlar blanket!

I agree with DusterW2.
Then again, he did teach me about 727 transmissions...

I do feel that a rigid front band and a '70-older front servo do release better during the 2-3 shift. The '71-newer oil cushioned servos have only 1 spring, but the oil cushioned part can be shimmed solid for some benefit.