A518 Overdrive Questions

[EVIL72]

 Thanks for the info Tactransman, you've been a big help

[Carlwalski]

I've talked to me resto team and I've made the decision to buy a TCI performance transmission.
Nothing against your work TTMan. Few reasons, main one being we took it out and what I thought was carb trouble is part of it but the main reason it's bogging is massive trans slippage. Dave my resto guy spotted it within 10 seconds of trying to launch the car. He said the bands were stuff and burnt out. So, I need a transmission quick and don't mind paying for performance to match the engine. This car will rock n roll when complete.


 

[Carlwalski]

Oh, Oh, one slight problem.............
The TCI and Hughes transmissions are only available with lock-up converters. 


Question: These transmissions are built with performance in mind yet they all seem to have lock-up converters, in all brands. Why is this? Just curious as to why them build them this way when you said that non-lock up are better suited. Would a lock-up be OK with 4.10 gears & 370-400hp?

Just puzzles me that these performance trans companies make all A518s with lock up converters and it's a pretty safe bet that people buying these trans will have low gear sets such as 3.91's, 4.10s etc....
Just weird as it doesn't fit your rule of thumb that non-lock ups are better suited to lower gears.

 

[Carlwalski]

Does this place look any good? 
They sell A518 non-lock up trans: http://westernengines.com/detail.asp?ProductID=443

[tactransman]

Does this place look any good? 
They sell A518 non-lock up trans: http://westernengines.com/detail.asp?ProductID=443

It looks like it is a stock rebuilt transmission, plus a $600 core charge on top of that price! That is alot of money to pay for a stock rebuild.

[tactransman]

Oh, Oh, one slight problem.............
The TCI and Hughes transmissions are only available with lock-up converters. 


Question: These transmissions are built with performance in mind yet they all seem to have lock-up converters, in all brands. Why is this? Just curious as to why them build them this way when you said that non-lock up are better suited. Would a lock-up be OK with 4.10 gears & 370-400hp?

Just puzzles me that these performance trans companies make all A518s with lock up converters and it's a pretty safe bet that people buying these trans will have low gear sets such as 3.91's, 4.10s etc....
Just weird as it doesn't fit your rule of thumb that non-lock ups are better suited to lower gears.

 

TCI transmissions are usually overpriced piece of cr-p!Hughes should be better. A lock up would be fine with that HP as long as it a good quality rebuilt converter. My car will have over 500 HP with a little dose of NOS once in a while.(let's not start that again   ) I will not trust a lock up converter to that!

[tactransman]

NZ, it is a shame that you can't have someone near you build one for you so if you have any problems with it they can help you. That was the biggest problem I had with building you one was you were so far away , my hands are kind of tied to help you after the install.

[Carlwalski]

Thanks Terry.


Yip, that $600 core rebuild is overpriced after having a second look.

I quite fancy TCI and have heard great right ups from the Internet and racers alike. Good shift kits, converters and as far as I'm aware transmissions, though, I am no expert in the transmission field.

Non-lock up sounds good but they just don't make a A518 performance trans ready to order, they're all lock-up.

If TCI or Huges make them to sit behind 600hp+ etc and they're all lock-up then why is this?
I would have thought big companies would have done the research and gone with non-lock up converters to sit behind their transmissions.

Would I really be able to tell the difference between a non-lock up and lock converter?
Like, driving down the street is there that much of a difference?


Cheers Terry you've been a great help, we'll get me a trans. 

[Carlwalski]

SMRTrans make a non-lock up, I got all excited about getting one but read some of the fine print and found this blurb on the notes page of there website:

The STOCK CHRYSLER "SLAPSTICK" SHIFTER can not be used with the A500 or A518 transmissions.  The rod that goes down to the bottom of the transmissions on the Slapstick shifter runs directly into the top of the overdrive section of the transmission.


Is there anyway around this? I know I could go for a Hurst cable shifter but, I'd prefer the Slap-Stik.



Cheers,
Carl

[tactransman]

I am sure there is a way around it. The pivot shaft for the shifter just needs to be supported some how.I am sure your tech guys could figure something out.

[Carlwalski]

Terry, after re-jogging my memory Hughes did look good but in their blurb there was no mention of the converter being a non or lock up one. I just tried to call them but it must be too early in Arizona at the moment.

I copied there application chart, what do some of these numbers mean & which one would I want?  

[Carlwalski]

I am sure there is a way around it. The pivot shaft for the shifter just needs to be supported some how.I am sure your tech guys could figure something out.

True, I know they can but it's a bit risky buying a $$$ trans and not exactly what we're going to need to get it to function properly compared to buying a bolting in straight from the package. I know they all need minor mods but something like that is a little different. Just wanted to know if you knew something off the top of your head.


 

[tactransman]

Terry, after re-jogging my memory Hughes did look good but in their blurb there was no mention of the converter being a non or lock up one. I just tried to call them but it must be too early in Arizona at the moment.

I copied there application chart, what do some of these numbers mean & which one would I want?  

The forth one down in a non electronic version(V8). I don't see a HP rating anywhere or really any specs for that matter. By the way how much is a gallon of gas over there?

[Carlwalski]

Thanks. When I call them I'll ask about converter spec and hp ratings.
What's the difference between electronic and not? Like electrically run items?


Not sure on a Gallon. Costs about $60 USD to fill the Cuda up.


There was another reply at the bottom of page 4 with a few more annoying you questions. 
(Just in case you missed.....)

 

[tactransman]

That is why I was asking about specs? Where did you see they were for 600HP?