What are the options for getting an additional gear or two in an automatic transmission for e-body? Is surgery of the floor pan or cross member required to fit them in? My last project was a four speed, so never messed with automatic e/b body cars. Looking for possible options on a 70 Challenger.
Thanks.
68 Road Runner (383/4speed, post car w/decor pkg) - Major Project 69 Road Runner w/472 Hemi & 4 speed. 70 Challenger R/T SE EF8 w/ V9J, U - A32 - Major Project 2023 Ford Mach 1
Re: Options for Overdrive Auto Trans - Ebody
[Re: RoadRunner]
#2854318 12/02/2001:26 PM12/02/2001:26 PM
I am using the whole Magnum 5.9 EFI, Trans wiring, and ECU from a 95 Ram Truck. If you want to keep your Carb there are controllers that kick the overdrive in based on vacuum and a couple other factors.
I’ve been running a 518 for 3 yrs and love it. I built my own controller, not hrd. PM me if interested in a simple pdf info package I put together. Everything you need to know here:
I have a 518 behind the Hemi in my 70 Cuda. No floor mods necessary. I didn't use a lock-up. There is a button on the console for activation and an adjustable vacuum switch for automatic OD drop out. I had A&A build a valve body for it.
Very happy with it and would do it again in a minute. My only regret is not doing it sooner.
Master, again and still
Re: Options for Overdrive Auto Trans - Ebody
[Re: DaveRS23]
#2854385 12/02/2002:58 PM12/02/2002:58 PM
To the Fellow who came up with the idea to notch the transmission case to make it fit: my hat is off to you. Used to be a significant butcher job before the case notch.
44rh for me: more power to the wheels.
Mo' Farts
Moderated by "tbagger".
Re: Options for Overdrive Auto Trans - Ebody
[Re: RoadRunner]
#2854406 12/02/2003:29 PM12/02/2003:29 PM
There is also the Silver Sport 4-speed automatic... I believe its based on the GM 4L60 tranny... I've heard good things from pleased customers... I'm considering it myself.
Mopar Mitch
"Road racers and autocrossers go in deeper and come out harder!"... and rain never stops us from having fun with our cars... in fact, it makes us better drivers!
Check out MOPAR ACTION MAGAZINE, August 2006 issue for feature article and specs on my autocross T/A!
Re: Options for Overdrive Auto Trans - Ebody
[Re: Mopar Mitch]
#2854528 12/02/2008:21 PM12/02/2008:21 PM
There is also the Silver Sport 4-speed automatic... I believe its based on the GM 4L60 tranny... I've heard good things from pleased customers... I'm considering it myself.
Probably the best option if cost is not a factor, looking at $6k or more. I’m all in at $2.5k you could go cheaper if you don’t want/need the automatic control. Still by far the best money spent, car is so much more enjoyable to drive. Only 2500 RPM at 80mph, 3.73 gears
Last edited by BDW; 12/02/2008:28 PM.
Re: Options for Overdrive Auto Trans - Ebody
[Re: BDW]
#2854553 12/02/2008:54 PM12/02/2008:54 PM
Did I miss somewhere clarifying big or small block ?
If you are running a big block, I highly recommend TranzTech in Dubuque Iowa. They installed a 518 in my 65 C body and it is by far the best thing I have ever done for that car as far as drivability. I'm running 496 ci around 500 hp and so far it is doing well ! Just can't say enough about their work.
My install was a little complicated since I first had to convert the column from cable shift to linkage etc. (One year only) they worked with all that and everything works perfectly !
Re: Options for Overdrive Auto Trans - Ebody
[Re: RoadRunner]
#2854585 12/02/2010:05 PM12/02/2010:05 PM
Running a 46rh ,, 518 in my 68 Charger, yes I know its not an E body :), 512 lowdeck, it is one of the best things I did to my junker, I had to trim the upper part of the torsion bar x member & build a custom trans x member. I converted my stock shifter to a cable. mine is also a lock up converter 4.1 gear
1968 Charger COLD A/C Hilborn EFI 512ci 9.7 compression, Stealth heads, 4.10 gear A518 ODtrans 4100lb,10.93 full street car trim 2020 T/A 392 Stock 11.79 @ 114.5
Re: Options for Overdrive Auto Trans - Ebody
[Re: Grizzly]
#2854642 12/03/2001:47 AM12/03/2001:47 AM
To the Fellow who came up with the idea to notch the transmission case to make it fit: my hat is off to you. Used to be a significant butcher job before the case notch.
44rh for me: more power to the wheels.
I believe that was 1wildRT that came up with the notching.
Re: Options for Overdrive Auto Trans - Ebody
[Re: autoxcuda]
#2854648 12/03/2002:56 AM12/03/2002:56 AM
To me, the down side of the 518 is the crappy 2.45 first gear ratio is a carryover from the 727. The 700R4/4L60E has a 3.06 first gear but second is a tall 1.62. That is a wide spread, sort of reminds me of the 833 OD 4 speed.
Re: Options for Overdrive Auto Trans - Ebody
[Re: Kern Dog]
#2854653 12/03/2004:27 AM12/03/2004:27 AM
To me, the down side of the 518 is the crappy 2.45 first gear ratio is a carryover from the 727. The 700R4/4L60E has a 3.06 first gear but second is a tall 1.62. That is a wide spread, sort of reminds me of the 833 OD 4 speed.
I thought the Mopar OD’s had low gear sets in them compared to old 727’s. ??
Re: Options for Overdrive Auto Trans - Ebody
[Re: BDW]
#2854660 12/03/2006:48 AM12/03/2006:48 AM
There is also the Silver Sport 4-speed automatic... I believe its based on the GM 4L60 tranny... I've heard good things from pleased customers... I'm considering it myself.
Probably the best option if cost is not a factor, looking at $6k or more.
Unless there's been a price increase? I've done the SST GM 4L60 for just under $5K for the Mopar BBlk set up complete kit
Mike
Re: Options for Overdrive Auto Trans - Ebody
[Re: RoadRunner]
#2854752 12/03/2011:58 AM12/03/2011:58 AM
And yet another option is to run a 2004R from Extreme Automatics with a lock up converter. I did have to cut the center loop out of my torsion bar cross member and reinforce it. Their Stage 3 trans will hold up to 1000 hp/850 ft lbs of torque. Uses a Reid bell housing to bolt up to small block, big block and Gen 3 Hemi's.
The gear ratio's are perfect with a 2.76 first and a .66 overdrive. With the lock-up on a 3800 rpm stall converter, its like having a 5th gear. Best functioning transmission I've ever driven. One wire for lock-up.
I painted mine black, and have never been asked if its a GM trans, Shhh.
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: Options for Overdrive Auto Trans - Ebody
[Re: Kern Dog]
#2854792 12/03/2001:27 PM12/03/2001:27 PM
To me, the down side of the 518 is the crappy 2.45 first gear ratio is a carryover from the 727. The 700R4/4L60E has a 3.06 first gear but second is a tall 1.62. That is a wide spread, sort of reminds me of the 833 OD 4 speed.
2.45,1.45,1.0, .69 even with a 3.54 gear my car pulled great, 1.55 60ft, VERY mild 512. 4100lb pig
Last edited by csk; 12/03/2001:28 PM.
1968 Charger COLD A/C Hilborn EFI 512ci 9.7 compression, Stealth heads, 4.10 gear A518 ODtrans 4100lb,10.93 full street car trim 2020 T/A 392 Stock 11.79 @ 114.5
Re: Options for Overdrive Auto Trans - Ebody
[Re: CSK]
#2854803 12/03/2001:51 PM12/03/2001:51 PM
Taking off in first or the first to second gap is not an issue unless you have a real dog like a slant six.
A 545rfe with a 5.7 is a party in first and second. Once that thing hits third, the party is over: 1.5, 1.6ish ratio 2nd gear to 1:1 third is a big jump.
Mo' Farts
Moderated by "tbagger".
Re: Options for Overdrive Auto Trans - Ebody
[Re: Mopar Mitch]
#2854858 12/03/2004:17 PM12/03/2004:17 PM
There is also the Silver Sport 4-speed automatic... I believe its based on the GM 4L60 tranny... I've heard good things from pleased customers... I'm considering it myself.
Over $6 grand for it AND GM base tranny????? I can afford it but looking at it, is it feasible? If I pull the trigger for OD, I can't see having a GM anything on my car it has to be Ma Mopar. IMHO
Re: Options for Overdrive Auto Trans - Ebody
[Re: 71rm23]
#2854888 12/03/2006:28 PM12/03/2006:28 PM
There is also the Silver Sport 4-speed automatic... I believe its based on the GM 4L60 tranny... I've heard good things from pleased customers... I'm considering it myself.
Over $6 grand for it AND GM base tranny????? I can afford it but looking at it, is it feasible? If I pull the trigger for OD, I can't see having a GM anything on my car it has to be Ma Mopar. IMHO
My street car would Grenade a 4l60
1968 Charger COLD A/C Hilborn EFI 512ci 9.7 compression, Stealth heads, 4.10 gear A518 ODtrans 4100lb,10.93 full street car trim 2020 T/A 392 Stock 11.79 @ 114.5
Re: Options for Overdrive Auto Trans - Ebody
[Re: CSK]
#2854892 12/03/2006:54 PM12/03/2006:54 PM
$6k can buy me A LOT of gas..It would take me YEARS to recoup the investment . even at 5 or 6 miles per
Bearing in mind I plan to drive the snot out of the car locally. BUT,,,,,,,and/if I should decide to make a longer distance trip. I'll rent a truck and trailer for a few days
Re: Options for Overdrive Auto Trans - Ebody
[Re: gtx6970]
#2854906 12/03/2007:27 PM12/03/2007:27 PM
$6k can buy me A LOT of gas..It would take me YEARS to recoup the investment . even at 5 or 6 miles per
Bearing in mind I plan to drive the snot out of the car locally. BUT,,,,,,,and/if I should decide to make a longer distance trip. I'll rent a truck and trailer for a few days
I never thought about costs versus return on fuel. Car will have a decent build 440. I haven't finalized the build options as I tend to always want to go overboard. But stock stroke and 0.30 over pistons. I have a completely done set of 452 iron heads with minor smoothing, no porting. And a set of used Edelbrock heads. Not sure which way to go there. Drivetrain is not numbers matching and I started to think about making it more modern with fuel injection, more gears in the transmission, and other changes. The idea is to do that versus buying a modern muscle car. I'd love a manual, but was leaning towards keeping it an auto.
Thanks for all the suggestions. Certainly some options to think about.
68 Road Runner (383/4speed, post car w/decor pkg) - Major Project 69 Road Runner w/472 Hemi & 4 speed. 70 Challenger R/T SE EF8 w/ V9J, U - A32 - Major Project 2023 Ford Mach 1