O.k., I am in the middle of finalizing my 440/512 stroker combo, and deciding on the trans will obviously dictate my cam choice. So here goes experts, what would you do?
69 Charger 90% street and 10% track
440/512 solid roller cam w/Indy MW heads and Indy 2D intake
3.73 gears
The car has P.S. and is originally an automatic car. Looking at the Tremec conversion, but the auto is cheaper. Then I'm told I won't be able to use a kickdown if I go auto, because of the horsepower and torque levels.

John Cope said that it would have to have a RMV as a standard forward valve body wouldn't sustain or have any durability.

Also, I know a 5 speed would be a lot of fun, but how do they hold up to big block strokers in regards to longevity? I was looking at the Tremec 600.

I have a RMVB in my 69 Charger 496 stroker,,,,and like it alot. I can still "shift" if you will,,,great for "racing"..car feels much faster with the automatic..( to me)
ps,,,my car is originally a 4 speed,,might put it back in someday,,when i "restore" the car,,,but not anytime soon.

Thanks ChargerMD, that's the type of feedback I'm looking for. I just want to get this thing right the first time.

Mine is also 99% street use. 496, pump gas, E heads, solid cam,etc.
Nothing cooler than rowing the gears with the 4 speed,,,but i do like the feel of the automatic with the manual valve body,,,feels much quicker to me,,,
I have a turbo action valve body in it. PTC convertor. Cheetah SCS shifter.

good luck,
Doug

My 70 is an original 4 speed but with 517 cubes, max wedge heads, a roller and 12:1 the auto definately hooks better. Cooler? No way, nothing like rowing your own in a vintage muscle car.

I run a RMVB with a Cheetah SCS and a PTC vert I had special built for the motor combination. To be honest with so much torque I run it around town using only 2-3, like a glide but first is Mega-fun when I do use it.

I likke the Keisler package but with a stroker even the TKO 600 first gear is just too deep and the 1-2 spread makes shifting tough on the drivetrain and internals under full power... even with worked synchs. I think I'd go with a traditional 833 or maybe one of Jamie's O/D's (which has a % spread similar to the 727 and you have so much torque the motor will just drive through any RPM drop. I like the Keisler a lot with a 340/383/440 though.

I will go back to 4 speed someday, I keep saying that but the auto really is too [Email]D@%m[/Email] much fun!

I'm running an Ed headed 496 with a Keisler TKO600 5 speed. Great combo. Lots of fun rowing the gears plus OD to eat up the miles without emptying the tank quite as fast. Mine is more of a road/cornering setup, not a drag car.

I understand a Keisler works in a drag car but gets hard shifting above 6000/6500 RPM. Also it can't be rammed through the gears like an 833, more care or finesse is required.

In my setup the cam (and heads) are all done by 6000 and it shifts great.

I like 4 speeds, but I like driving them nore than working on them so I would put the 727 with a good converter in the car

Thank you everyone for your feedback. I value it very much. I also think if I want to take advantage of the torque that I will have to go with the auto. I know I'm going to want to enter it in some musclecar challenges, so I will probably want the auto. Looks like I will also save myself about 3 grand in the process until I get the GV.......