Did Dodge do an overdrive that works in an E-body

[TRIPLE-GREEN]

Forgive me but I am just learning. But I work for a hot rod shop. (early Fords) Be nice! But all day long I wondered if dodge made a od trans like the 700R4 that one could use on an e-body. I don't think I am looking to use one but I just wondered if they did and how hard it was to install into my little Green monster. I have a 318 w/ 904 now.

['Cuda Hunter]

There is an aluminum OD 4 speed.  Late 70's I believe.  It mounts up the same as I understand.  Pretty easy to find also.  It will hold up fine under your 318. 

[Chryco Psycho]

if you want a auto you need the 518 , it requires floor mods to fit

[TRIPLE-GREEN]

I should ask this as it kinda relates to the question. What was the stock rear end ratio for the 73 challengers with the 318. I was told I had the better rear end. I understood that there where two at the time. But what would that ratio be?

[fishn4cuda]

Deff depends on you rear end gear ratio, But just an OD manual trans will seem like a dog in a stock set up. You will have more fun with an auto at that point. And the hump in the floor will have to be modified to house the OD trans. This is just my opinion and what I have seen done.

[500Stroker]

Dodge may not have done one that works but the www.gearvendors.com does. 

[Super Blue 72]

I should ask this as it kinda relates to the question. What was the stock rear end ratio for the 73 challengers with the 318. I was told I had the better rear end. I understood that there where two at the time. But what would that ratio be?

Wild guess is that you had the 8 3/4 rear end and without any fancy optional gears, more than likely 3.23 gears... 

Looking from the rear of the car, the 8 3/4 rear end does NOT have a diff. cover, but is smooth and round.  Gears come out from the front of the housing/drive shaft side.

[Chryco Psycho]

most I have seen are 3,23 but it could have 2.76 , 2.9 , 3.23 , 3.55 or 3.91

[tactransman]

Here is the "518" thread  http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=23678.0

[72bluNblu]

My '72 318/904 came with 2.76 gears in a 741 center. Great on the freeway, not so great off the line. I'd bet its an 8 3/4, but it could be either a 741 or 489 center. I'd guess its an "open" diff as well, no limited slip (if its a low optioned car).

As far as the overdrive goes, you'd either be looking at keisler or gear vendors for a bolt in type operation unless you go with a later A833 OD. Its the same dimensionally as the earlier 4 speeds, but has an overdrive 4th gear and an aluminum case. It requires a bunch of stuff to convert from auto to manual though, there's quite a few threads on here about it. Although its cheaper than going with Keisler or Gear Vendors, its still an involved process (I'm working on it myself right now)

Why do you want the OD? If you're looking at high rpm's on the freeway, the first thing I would do is find out the gear ratio in the back. My 2.76 gears are a piece of cake on the freeway, it'll cruise all day long at 80mph, so I'm guessing you have a different set out back. If I remember your car is in pretty good stock condition, so it should have a metal tab on one of the center section bolts on the rear end indicating what ratio is in it. If its a 3.55 or 3.91 it would be a lot easier and less expensive to swap in a different set of gears...Also, the OD gear would really only be helpful on the freeway, just driving around town you wouldn't be real likely to use it much.

[Chryco Psycho]

Classic also does ther TKO conversion & probably does a better job than Keilser from what I have seen

[71chally416]

I'm kinda surprised at all the people on this site that are interested in OD trannys. Where I live in Jersey just driving an old Musclecar attracts the POPO (lots of cops here...) and the thing that has saved me from a rash of tickets over the years is having gearing in my cars. I can't imagine having real long gearing with OD because I'd always be speeding and getting tickets. I get enough in my V-6 Daytona the way it is and I've learned to always use the cruise control. You don't do 80mph around here     

[500Stroker]

You must not drive on the highways much.  Everyone is doing 75, pa tpk, nj tpk, 295, ac expressway. Try doing the speed limit and you'll get horns and fingers all day long. LOL   I took a 200 mile round trip to the Pumpkin Run in South Jersey yesterday.  When it was not raining everyone was doing 75.  The ride is much more enjoyable when you are turning 2500 rpm or less and jamming to satellite radio that you can actually hear.

[72bluNblu]

 

Speed limit on most the CA freeways is 65, even quite a few of the highways. Everyone pretty much does 75, and (knock on wood) I haven't had a speeding ticket in years, even driving my SRT4, which gets more negative attention from the police (stupid ricer street racers).

The short first gear and shorter rear end gearing that the OD will give me is more likely to get me in trouble. 

[bordin34]

Where is Jersey are you. On the Garden State people will pass you going 80.