I thought from what I'd always been told that the Ever popular "HEMI", 18 spline 4-speed was a close ratio trans and THAT'S why it cost so much.....Till I found out ALL the Chrysler 4-speeds were close ratio, unlike Brand X's stuff....
I once looked up the Hemi 4-speed ratio and the 23 spline ratio, and there's like 1/2 ratio difference between 'em....To me, that ain't worth the extra $1300.00 you spend, as I've NEVER seen anybody bust a 23 spline 4-speed from just shear power and torque...Now, i have seen 'em broken, but it was due to things like bad bearings, out of spec clearances, no grease in 'em, poor maint., etc. I would say anything on the street shouldn't nor ever will need an 18 spine 4-speed...I've seen 1000 Hp cars with 23 spline 4-speeds in 'em..They weren't driven like granny neither...Now, with all that said, there's some folks on this planet that NOTHING can be produced that they can't break given a chance. I mean, I got one buddy that you give him a rubber hammer and a bowling ball, and he'll fu*k somethin' up....