Hello,

I'm looking for suggestions on what set up would work well for a footbrake-only glide setup. Its a door car that weighs 2600-2700 depending on driver. Small block, 4 link, 5.14 gear, 31" tall tire. I've dug a lot and it seems like reverse pattern glides are rare. I would think a reverse pattern valve body with clean neutral on the bottom would be a nice setup, but others with experience might be able to talk me out of that. My last car with an automatic had a reverse pattern, and I really liked that and got used to that, minus the desire to have a clean neutral after high gear.
My question is kind of loaded too....the engine available now is 500-550hp. The next engine going in would be 700-750. I realize that converter selection would be crucial and totally different for the two engines. I'd just like to get the right valve body for an application like this that would hopefully work best for both and perform the best for foot brake only. Thanks!

I just called Coan. I guess I found out why I couldn't dig up a reverse pattern glide with clean neutral.......there isn't such an animal. Todd gave some good advice in our conversation. I think i'm going to run a standard pattern brake valve body and just leave the solenoid unhooked for now.

No reason for there to be a clean neutral in a glide. As stated no one makes a reverse pattern either. A stock glide actually holds up to a fair amount of power. Weakest link is the stock planetaries but they work just fine to 800hp or so. I would likely replace them at anything over 700 myself. Wouls also buy a good brake valvebody. Just in case you want to go that way at a later date.

Any good Glide VB will likely need to have the TB button used to engage the reverse clutches and get it to back up. Doesn't mean you have to use the brake to leave.

Small block at that weight with a 1.76 is going to require an aggressive 4 link base line. Yes, you can spin the tires because the suspension is not aggressive enough to apply them.

Car will probably want a 1.96/1.98 to be happy.

Good tip on the 4 link. Apparently the Coan VB will operate reverse fine with the TB unplugged.

Any non Pro brake should work fine with not having to engage the brake to back up.

I didn't research the PG transbrake much before I built mine (1st PG), but am happy with my choice.
ATI Compu-Flow Transbrake. #203050 with external solenoid, forward pattern.
And most of my internals are from ATI (basically no stock internals).
NOTE: Part #203050: These valve bodies incorporate a reverse safety feature. Shift to reverse and engage transbrake to back up.

I have both the button on the steering wheel, and a switch. So it is easier to turn while backing up without holding the button while turning the wheel...