I have a 78 Magnum that I am considering putting a 440 and 700R4 into. Has anyone done something similar? Getting the 440 in shouldn't be a problem. There are adapter plates to match the the engine to the GM trans, but I'm wondering about problems connecting my column shifter and the TV cable for the trans, clearance in the trans tunnel, etc.

Thanks for any help!

Why do you want to go the 700r4 trans?

Chrysler 727's are stout trannies, they are behind all hemi/autos

I understand the overdrive attractiveness of the 700R4 swap, but remember that they didn't hold up very well behind small block Chevies. That's why they upgraded to a new and stronger design.

If you want overdrive in a mopar try the 518(727 with od) swap. That way you can use your existing shifter and kickdown and have a lot stronger trans. I'm doing one behind my 408 stroker. Info at the patc trans site. The switchs they use are for a chevy 350 trans 3 gear clutch are sell for about $5 at the trans supply. The vacuum switch is from a mid 80s caprice and is called a od control. You can pick them and the attached wiring at the junkyard cheap.

I think if I was going to go GM, I'd use a TH2004r. It's small & uses a standard 'kickdown/pressure' cable, no electronics issues. Pretty low first gear, 2.75 or so. I've rebuilt several over the years and they hold up in low 12 sec. GM cars, so far anyway. It should fit the tunnel with no problems which would be the only reason I wouldn't use the mopar od trans.

Thanks for the advice and suggestions.

I'm thinking 700r4 because I work part time at a Corvette supply shop and can get one cheap out of a car we take apart.

If I do the 440 thing, it will be pretty mild. The Mag is my daily driver, but I want to have some fun with it too. I'm thinking 350-375hp and 450-500 ft/lbs would be good. I don't think that would be too expensive or difficult to do and still have a shot at reasonable mpg if I can put in an OD trans too.

Hot Rod did a 518 install and it looked like a giant pain and, if I remember correctly, they had to manually engage/disengae the OD. Being able to hook up the shifter would be a big bonus though.

If you check out PATC you will find that the od works automatically. You can even go with the lockup convertor trans if you want. It also works normally. You can shut the OD off if you wish. The HotRod deal is old news.

OK, that sounds better. I'll still need an adapter though, right? To go from the big block to a small block trans.

I'm flaunting my ignorance here, but what is PATC?

I'll have to look into using one of the Mopar ODs.

PATC:

http://transmissioncenter.net/

their method of controlling a 42/46RH:

http://www.transmissioncenter.net/SwapInformation.htm

yup, to run behind a bigblock, you'll need either an adapter from JVX, or an ultrabell from JW...

another option would be to stay small block and build a 408 stroker

or go manual and use an iron case A833OD....

I already have a 440 in the garage. It's been sitting for a while, so I should go through and freshen it up. It should be a pretty painless rebuild though. (famous last words)

I have on old 4spd trns and e-body shifter laying around I might be able to use as trade material for an OD auto. ???

Kesler sales a 4l60e conversion trans to a bigblock mopar they might not have a whole kit but it might be another option.

I've priced it out and it's not a cheap conversion any way you go. A 700R4 will need to be built to live behind a 440 and a heavy car like a magnum. They may live behind a 12 second GM car, a car that's no doubt lighter and making less power than a magnum w/ a 440. By the time I priced out buying a core trans, 600 bucks worth of rebuild/upgrade parts to make it live, new longer driveshaft, aftermarket shifter, good quality street/strip torq converter and leaving a few bucks for odds and ends I was already well over 2 grand. I'm sure you could do it for less where you work, but figure out your bottom line before you pull the trigger.


I figured for that kind of money I could convert my car to an overdrive 833 4-speed and row my own gears. Once you deal with the floating shaft issue it's a decently strong trans, then it leaves the door open to upgrade to passon's super strong overdrive gearset later on down the road.

I talked to someone else who installed a 518 into a challenger and his was able to fit with just grinding a little metal off the reinforcement ribs on the 518 case in a couple spots. He said the little he took off had no negitive side-effects, and he did not have to cut his floor open. If it fits a challenger it'll fit a 73+ B body. There was a thread a year or so back showing how to use a couple vacuum or oil pressure sensors to have your overdrive gear and converter engage automatically. That is another viable option, although there was another thread in the race section I think, where a few members were talking about how badly a power sucking transmission the 518 supposedly is.

I think the 700 is going to fit the best. The mount is within a 1/2" of the 904/727. The 200 would be my choice but the mount is in a completely different spot, as well as the case being fatter towards the rear. With all the parts out there, I really wouldn't worry about durability if the unit is built right.

I have a beefed up a500 in my Fury with OD a lockup, it's great. Tranztech in Dubuque Iowa does them, will do parts only or turnkey. They aren't too far from you in the twin cities. He welds a BB 727 bell to an adapter and it then bolts to the a500 with its bell loped off.

Does tranztech do 518 also?

I'm pretty sure Tim has done a couple for guys who needed more HP capability, yes. The a-500 fits with no tunnel work, that's why it's what he uses mostly.