ok doin the 5.7 hemi swap in my cuda and hear ppl using all 3 of these transmissions, what issues did you guys have with doin the swap?, i talked to Bouchillon and they said to use the 545re cuz it would be cheaper to do. cuz it already plugs into the Ram harness.. or do i just do the 500/518 instead?, i can get all 3 of these transmissions very cheap, then rebuild.i know there is some fitment issues with the 518 and the 545re, but nothing major,, any help would be great so i can keep gathering everything i need

I am pretty sure you have to do some cutting in the tunnel for the 545RE to fit. For the a500/518, you just notch the trans housing. I know the newer trans has the extra gears but if you don't want to cut the car, then I don't think it is going to fit correctly.

Here is a thread over at forabodiesonly talking about the different transmissions. Hope it helps...Looks like the trans to use, if going 545rfe is the truck/suv version; it has the speed sensors inside.

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=202413

Damn i. So torn on what to do

If it was me it would be the 545re. I would do what it takes to fit it into the car. When you are just driving it as a car, it puts you right into the power band you are supposed to be in. Also an electronic transmission allows you to put a programming/diagnostic tool to it and do some programing, set pressures to clutch packs etc.

If it cam with an 8 speed trans like the newer engines, I would like that even better.

There is a guy on forbbodiesonly, lxmodguy, who knows a lot about the nag1 trans and I believe put 1 in his car. He may be just the guy to ask. Here is a thread where he is talking about tech.

http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?33754-So-it-begins-5-7-and-Nag1-install

I know nothing of the 545, but I have a A500 behind a small block which is what the 5.7 is essentially. Now there is one other choice, and that is the shorty 727 Gear Venders set-up from SMRE, but most do not like the price.

So if you looking to decide on the other three, the A500 is a really good choice when built properly. Mine has been flawless with SMRE parts in it and I can hit OD while at full throttle. I have 4.56 gears, and they are very streetable with it and mine has the low gear set to boot. The bad is it looses a little horse power because the OD is always providing a little drag unlike a GV unit. Love how it works, and should just about fit in your Cuda with just a modded cross member and it should bolt right up to the 5.7...

Now if I were to do it for my Cuda, I would go with the SMRE 727 shorty deal. I know it fits, I know my 727 will handle +700hp, and I know it won't drop the rwhp....I have an Ultra bell and can swap small block to big block without even pulling the trans...Did it last year, and they are easier to build.

i hear mixed stuff about the 545, some say only a lil mobs to an ebody tunnel while others say the had to cut it all up

just a cruizer,, done racing , now i wanna enjoy it

I have a 518 in my 58 Ply wagon, It works great, lets me run a 4.10 and cruise on the freeway at 70 with low revs which my long stroke 392H likes. As it's based off the 727 and needed 1 wire to work it was a no brainer for me.

545 will integrate better with the engine controller, the 518/46RH/RE will probably fit better in the car....

It came out of a 91 350 van. You just hook the pwr wire up to keyed on.

Awesome think thats gonna be the easiest way