Which tranny to go with?

[THE FAST ONE]

I have a 15 to 1 Victor race motor that i plan on running mostly N/A. My problem is that i can't decide which tranny to run. I want to go with either a TH400 or Powerglide. I would rather go with the Powerglide because it's lighter and takes less hp to move it, but i heard i would lose alittle off the line. Any input in regards to this would be appreciated.

Corey

[Froggy]

Use the glide w/ the 1.80 straight cut first gear. I ran both in Hot Street. The 400 was way more fun!!!! But the glide with the killer 1st gear should be quicker. Who does your trans???

[dahmer]

How can a Glide be quicker off the line compared to a T400???

A first gear of a 3 speed is steeper then 1.80
There would always be greater torque mutiplication with a three speed.

I was thinking of trying a C4 before going to a glide. I know the C4 does not handle very high RPMs for long. But the steeper first gear may be just what the car needs. Plus a C4 weighs less and soaks up less HP then a T400. Just longevity is a concern. I am trying one first. and if it is not usable, I will try a glide. Now if some company could make a C4 to handle high HP and high RPMs, that would be the tranny to get!!!

[Froggy]

I agree that if a C-4 could handle thr Rpm's it would be the best. I ran the TH-400 more than the glide. I tested w/ the Glide with the straight cut gear set, and the 60' was better due to less rotating mass.
TH-400 60': Best 1.29 @ 3034lbs
Glide 60': best 1.27 @ 3042

Ex: Hot Street Racer

[dsa390]

I thought I would chime in hear since I've done some testing with a stock eliminator car. I tested an ultra trick light weight C4 with a Pro Trans C6. The C6 was .07 quicker in the quarter. The car was a 3200 lb '67 Mustang, 9" tire, 500 hp. A friend did the same test in his super stocker. His trannies had idential 1st gear ratios. I went from a 2.75 in the C4 to a 2.52 in the C6 but I picked up in the 60' and all down the track. My friend's superstocker had similar gains. I am surprised no one on the Mustang scene is running any Protrans stuff. Many comp guys are using them so I know RPM's is not an issue. Dave Smith will has done the "protrans" conversion on C6's, TH350's, but the first ones to get the treatment were the 727 Hemi trannies for the SS/AA cars. Basically, the guts are converted to 904 light weight stuff and the gears are all custom straight cut. You can change 1st and 2nd gear ratios just like a stick car. Anyway, if you want the quickest tranny, give Dave Smith a call. He could build you one based on a C6 or a TH350. I have no idea which would be cheaper but either would be quicker than a powerglide or a C4. Just open your wallet! Cost = around $5000:)

Oh, here is what we found, or at least our theory on the C4. I think there is a windage problem. There is no room in that case. The drums are right against the case. On the C6 pro trans stuff, you have a huge case and little drums. Windage is not an issue. I personally believe that the rotating weight is an issue, but not the only one. The rotating weight on my C4 was lighter than my C6, but not by much.

[THE FAST ONE]

Thanks for the replies, the Poweglide that i was thinking of buying from a guy is suppose to have a TCI 9310 gear set in it. He said that thefirst gear is a 1.89. How much weight savings is the glide over TH400?

Corey

[dahmer]

5k for a C6??? That is alot of cheddar!!!

Now can he do the conversion to a C4? Maybe use sometype of extra hi-volue pump to keep pressure constant??? A lightweight c4 would in theory make more RWHP then a lightweight C6. Or a T400. Just an idea?

[dsa390]

The protrans stuff will not fit in a C4 case. He does make some trick C4 gears and drums but the 904 stuff is quicker. I don't think pressure is a problem. I agree with you in theory, the C4 should be quicker, but it is not. I would not have believed it if I had not tested it myself. The only logical reason I can think of is the actual size of the case. You cannot hold much fluid in a C4 and there is no place for the fluid to go. I am not sure about actually RWHP but you can't race dynos. Based on the MPH during testing, the C6 was a little faster but most gain was before the 330. But believe me, the only thing "C6" about the protrans stuff is the case(which must be welded/modified to accept a different band) and valve body. It is a completely different dog inside. That is a lot of money, but when you are trying to gain every little .01, it is really not a bad deal for the gain. .07 is a bunch in a stocker or superstocker. I would think a HS car would be similar to a superstocker, assuming hook was not an issue.

[TA@TCI]

A stock 400 weighs 146 lbs. A stock P/G weighs 97 lbs. Your decision should depend on which case you should run. The JW case will allow a glide to weigh around 120 to 125 lbs. If it was me, I would run a stock glide case with a removable style bell housing....a good good pan and tailhousing and call it a day!

Now, if you have a month or so, we (TCI) should have a 1.98 straight cut gear set ready for shipment. Now that would be the cat's me-ow!

[TA@TCI]

A stock 400 weighs 146 lbs. A stock P/G weighs 97 lbs. Your decision should depend on which case you should run. The JW case will allow a glide to weigh around 120 to 125 lbs. If it was me, I would run a stock glide case with a removable style bell housing....a good good pan and tailhousing and call it a day!

Now, if you have a month or so, we (TCI) should have a 1.98 straight cut gear set ready for shipment. Now that would be the cat's me-ow!

~TA
tony@tciauto.com

[THE FAST ONE]

Thanks for the reply Tony. Will the 1.98 straight cut gear set give me a beter 60 ft? The tranny that i was looking at, the guy said it has a TCI 9310 gear set 1.89. Does that sound correct? I beleive you may know my engine builder from Engine Parts Warehouse in Baton Rouge,Louisiana James Hughes.

Corey

[TA@TCI]

The 1.98 will be quicker in the 60'. With the right converter, I think that would be the way to go. It really depends on the gear, converter, weight, and torque curve to determine which gear ratio would be better. The reason being is that you wouldn't want the car to leave like mad and then drop too many rpm's when it goes into high gear.

Hope this helps.

BTW, the name sounds familiar, just can't place it though.


~TA
tony@tciauto.com