A 518 transmission ???

[greengochallenger]

 :dontknow: I was thinking of getting a A 518 transmission for my Challenger. Does anyone know when Chrysler began placing these in cars & trucks? Also, how do you tell a lock up converter model from a non lock up unit? Thanks in advance!

[Chryco Psycho]

around 91 was the first year for the 518

[71cuda2]

How does someone identify a 'A518', and the year too???

thanks

Ken

[hotrod98]

I have a 95 version in my 73 cuda and it's a lock up style, but I'm using the entire engine/tranny/computer setup any way. I think the best ones for installing along with early style engines is the early dakota versions. You still have to add a switch for the o/d I think. It's supposed to be real easy to set up though as long as you don't use the lock up style convertor. I heard once that you can use the later trannies as long as you change out to the earlier style convertor. Not totally sure though.

[KelllysCuda]

I was talking with the guys at SRM transmissions in Ont. about the A518, and they mentioned something about a trans adapter for the big block, and I think you have to be carefull with the torque converter selection ( cant have one to high) or you will have trouble in overdrive.

[DJVCuda]

i got a 92 518 for my project now - it was in a 3500 van  and NO OD... there are several connections that tell you what it is..

near  the reverse switch there is either a 2 3 or 5 pin connector -
2 pin is od
3 pin is od lockup
5 pin is from a magnum motor, not a very good one to use without a computer, and PCM ( powertrain control module)

I have the 2 pin, I didnt want lockup - however it is nice to have for MPG's!

http://www.transmissioncenter.net/alto_3.htm

http://www.hotrod.com/howto/43323/index.html

good luck!

[cutting torch]

I've seen the A518 in a '90 pickup, and until '93 they were non lockup. Here's a pic of an A518:



The easiest way to tell is the deep 727 style pan. If it has a deep 904 style pan, it's an A500. I would steer clear of the one with the 5 (or more?) pin connector, since it needs a pcm to run it. That is the one that has the RE designation, which means it is electronically governed (pcm).

torch

[cutting torch]

Quote from this site:  http://www.transmissioncenter.net/alto_3.htm


"NOTE: People make this swap all the time, but I've never heard of anyone doing it correctly. They drive down the street flipping a toggle switch on and off at every stop. This setup works automatically."

I have no beef with this guy's methods or advice, but that statement is funny. The people that come to him for help are NOT going to be the ones that made it work "right" on thier own, so how can he say never?I put an A518 in my '76 van in '93, and my setup worked automatically, too.

torch

[KelllysCuda]

I was  on the understanding that the switch was to lock the converter ....?? For the same amount of money (mabey a little more ) you can use gear vendors overdrive and its good for tons of horse power, only the torque converter selection gets limited is the draw back.

[cutting torch]

A GV unit for a 727 is $2495 here:

http://www.gearvendors.com/hrdodge3s.html

A level 2 Viper A518 is $2099, level 3 is $2794 at this place:

http://www.redrider.us/518_transmission.htm

1200 horse is a lot to withstand, but how many of us actually make that kind of power, and still want to drive that on the street? Plus, it wouldn't be cheap to get a 727 to hold up to that. With that said, I think the GV unit is overkill. HOWEVER, one thing I do like about the GV is that it is still so skinny where it passes through the crossmember, so the mods are much less extensive to install it.

For the converter, I don't think the stall speed is that big of a deal, what's more important is that the converter is efficient when it is in coupling phase (closer to 1:1). If it's a lockup, that's a moot point.

torch

[greengochallenger]

Gear vendors is nice, and If I was made outta money, I would have one!
But im poor! I was thinking about a junkyard a-518 and go from there....

[cutting torch]

That's what I did!

torch

[mr_bill]

Have you considered an A500?  They're not quite as strong, but they're more readily available and typically cheaper.  I'm going to be having one built for my '73 318 Challenger, but It'll only need to handle about 250HP max.  Just a thought...

bill

[Carlwalski]

...the GV is that it is still so skinny where it passes through the crossmember, so the mods are much less extensive to install it.

Will the GV's unit sit between an X-Pipe exhuast without any mods? Any know?

[cutting torch]

Will the GV's unit sit between an X-Pipe exhuast without any mods? Any know?

I would say that is next to impossible to answer, since we don't know exactly where your X-pipe is. A good pic would help for a general guesstimate.

torch