Just out of curiosity - 440's and Auto's....

[ViperMan]

I'm curious how...  easy....  feasible....  likely?  ...it might be to find a Cuda with a 440 engine AND an automatic transmission...

I've still been shopping for another 'Cuda ever since I sold the last one, but I'm trying to take the same route with it that I took with my house purchase - buy what you want so you don't have to spend a ton of time and money MAKING something else into what you want.

I want the brutish power of a 440 big block, but still want the cruisability/ease of operation afforded by an automatic - especially so that on occassion my wife would be able to drive it.

So how hard is this going to be to find?...

[4Cruizn]

Should not be to difficult of a task.  Worst case you find the cuda and install a 440  . . . That would probably be the cheapest way.  Finding a cuda with an original 440 may prove costly.   

[ViperMan]

Well, I do HAVE a 440 block still sitting in my garage...  Should still be easily salvageable, too, as I've kept it pretty safe and dry.  And in fact I think an original 440 'Cuda isn't what I want anyways, since I still insist on having a round-taillight car, and if I'm correct, they never came with a 440 option, right?

As far as adding the 440, most 727 transmissions can't handle the 440 if you do any decent performance boosts on it, such as a mild stroker kit or something - isn't that correct?  I know you can buy aftermarket, specialty autos for use with a high power big-block, but YOWZERS they're expensive....

I've found a few cars for sale with a 440 upgrade and an auto, but seems most have had hideous paint jobs done to them or they simply want way too much money for them.

[Chryco Psycho]

Actually the 727 will tkae a ton of power as long as it is built for it , you just miss out on the OD which canbe added via Gearvendors
the round taillight cars never had a big block but a lot had been added , they are a simple bolt in

[EB3-GranCoupe]

I did my Gran Coupe for the reasons you expressed!  i wasn't looking for an all out race car, but something that i could have fun with.  i kept the cam at the same specs as original, and did a few other tweaks.  the 727 was built stock, and i have no worries about it at all.  the car was factory a/c, so i upgraded to a sanden compressor.  it runs super smooth, and i have no regrets, and i get plenty of these: 

[brads70]

Mine, although not the inferiour Plymouth version  was originally a /6 car with a 440/727 added later. Cheaper way to do it( than an original BB car ) IMO. Then you get to build it how YOU want and you know what you have then. In your case as they never came with a 440 this is what you will have to do unless you find one already done?

[360 'CUDA]

I do see folks putting in a 4l60e transmission...  Built for power with a low first gear and OD plus lock up.    I'm more of a Mopar purist and wouldn't do it myself (and I'm cheap)  but it's worth looking into.

[HP2]

I'd go out on alimb and say there are probably more 440/auto combinations out there than 440/4 spd combos. Finding one should not be too difficult to do.

[EB3-GranCoupe]

Mine, although not the inferiour Plymouth version...     

So Brad, who has the 'imitation' Minilites?      

Then you get to build it how YOU want and you know what you have then

I agree! My exceptions to going totally stock were handling upgrades: subframe connectors, front AND rear swaybars, and enough aluminum on the block to bring it into small block weight territory (only if you look real close can you see the Mopar logo's). Now, let's get the stopwatches out!

[brads70]

So Brad, who has the 'imitation' Minilites?      

Heck the whole darn car is an imitation, no point waisting good minilites....

[EB3-GranCoupe]

Heck the whole darn car is an imitation

You've done a great job!  Imitation is the sincerest form of flatterry as they say!   

[brads70]

You've done a great job!  Imitation is the sincerest form of flatterry as they say!   

There was a black 1970 GTX in the young guns class at Carlisle with real mini lites . I loved that car! Car was beautiful! Sure wish I could have had something like that ... at that age too! 

[TreeFrog]

Well, I do HAVE a 440 block still sitting in my garage...  Should still be easily salvageable, too, as I've kept it pretty safe and dry.  And in fact I think an original 440 'Cuda isn't what I want anyways, since I still insist on having a round-taillight car, and if I'm correct, they never came with a 440 option, right?

As far as adding the 440, most 727 transmissions can't handle the 440 if you do any decent performance boosts on it, such as a mild stroker kit or something - isn't that correct?  I know you can buy aftermarket, specialty autos for use with a high power big-block, but YOWZERS they're expensive....

I've found a few cars for sale with a 440 upgrade and an auto, but seems most have had hideous paint jobs done to them or they simply want way too much money for them.

As I understand it, you want a 727 that is post 67 ... is that right?  I am not sure why but undoubtable there was a design cnange intenaly.  I have an extra but it is a 65 Trani. Came from behind a 413.

[Aussie Challenger]

Neil is on the right track if you feel you need an auto, why not PM Terry, Tactransman he will be able to let you know what can and cannot be achieved in an auto.