Transmission Dilemma

Author Topic: Transmission Dilemma  (Read 2597 times)

Offline Old New Mopar

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 10
Transmission Dilemma
« on: August 29, 2012 - 08:53:33 PM »
Hello,

New poster to the forum, but have been lurking for quite a while. I am in the process of building (drivetrain) a '71 Challenger. My goals are to build a quick, reliable and enjoyable car. I've had fast straightline cars and cars that handled extremely well. Now, I'm just looking for a good compromise, knowing that this is a 41 year old car. Still, with what's available today and all of the various combinations that have been tried I am confident we can put together something that will hold it's own in today's world.

Now to my issue. I've discussed many options over the past several month, so much so that it's becoming more of a chore than a joy. I think I've finally settled on an engine, a 360/408 stroker. Roller motor, alum heads/intake, Quickfuel carb, TTI headers, ect... My delimma now is the trans. The car is currently a 318 with a 904 on the column, I'm looking to convert it to a console shifted overdrive. I do not want to cut the car up and have looked at the Keisler offering, the 500/518 and the GV. At this point, I am leaning towards the 200R4. Reason being is that, with it being compact, I believe it will have no trouble fitting. I like the gear split and the light weight. Also, having owned two Buick GN's previously, I know that when built right, they can take some real power. I know about the adaptor and that we'll need to fab up a new support member and drive shaft. I'm ok with that.

Has anyone retro'd this trans into an E-body? If so, was it straight forward? What about using the factory console?

This is a great site and I look forward to participating.

Regards,
John
« Last Edit: September 02, 2012 - 06:09:21 PM by Old New Mopar »




Offline Chryco Psycho

  • Administrator
  • C-C.com Guru
  • *****
  • Posts: 36620
  • 70 Challenger R/T SE 70 tube Chassis Cuda now sold
Re: Transmission Dilemma
« Reply #1 on: August 30, 2012 - 07:32:23 PM »
Dig you connect with Tony Edler / Big Blue ?

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline Old New Mopar

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 10
Re: Transmission Dilemma
« Reply #2 on: August 30, 2012 - 08:35:30 PM »
I did indeed, super nice guy.


Regards,
John

Offline Old New Mopar

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 10
Re: Transmission Dilemma
« Reply #3 on: September 06, 2012 - 09:54:48 PM »
So, it looks like no one has tried this swap into an E-body? Really didn't want to be James T. Kirk on this deal...


Regards,
John

Offline bigblue73

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 504
Re: Transmission Dilemma
« Reply #4 on: September 07, 2012 - 04:22:20 PM »
Hey John - I was thinking of your project last night while flipping through the latest Mopar Collectors Guide.  TCI may have a set-up for the Mopars.  I haven't called yet and honestly after talking with the other guys.....I will sit down when they tell me the price.  I'd say noodle on this for a bit as someone has done this swap and it can't be that hard to pull off.  Have a great weekend!

Tony

Offline Old New Mopar

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 10
Re: Transmission Dilemma
« Reply #5 on: September 07, 2012 - 06:01:44 PM »
Hey Tony,

I did indeed look into TCI. If we're thinking of the same piece, it's the 6X six speed. Basically, it's a 4L80E. While it would definitely do the job, it's a pretty large unit (tunnel wise) and...wait for it....wait for it.... over $7,000!!!! I just can't see how people can offer some of these solutions for that price and keep a straight face.

As it stands now, I think I will just sit back and reconsider a few options. I have a good bit of coin put aside for this build and want something quick and dependable when it's all done, but it has to make financial sense at some point. I have to know, within a fairly small correction factor, what this going to cost and the unknowns regarding the transmission just don't allow for that right now.

At the end of the day, it's a better problem to have than others each of us have been faced with in life.


Regards,
John

Offline Old New Mopar

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 10
Re: Transmission Dilemma
« Reply #6 on: September 07, 2012 - 06:10:26 PM »
I stand corrected, just found at least one supplier offering the 6X package for $5,600. Still....


Regards,
John

Offline brads70

  • C-C.com Expert
  • ********
  • Posts: 18747
Re: Transmission Dilemma
« Reply #7 on: September 07, 2012 - 06:17:03 PM »
I looked at different 4L80 options too. Bottom line.... I didn't want to cut up the tranny tunnel. That and the 4L60/65 offered a better first gear than the 4L80?  I wish someone would step up to the plate with a kit other than Keisler. At this point I'm sort of sitting on the fence with them after trying to install one of their kits.  :-\
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline Old New Mopar

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 10
Re: Transmission Dilemma
« Reply #8 on: September 07, 2012 - 08:27:36 PM »
If I just knew that the stock, console floor shifter could be retained and the linkage would work, I'd pull the trigger on the 200r4. The gear splits are really nice, the trans is compact and, regardless of what some say, they're currently living well behind some nasty Turbo Buicks.

The $ breakdown is something like:
Built trans - $1,800
Converter - $5-600
Adaptor - $575
Support mount - $200?
Linkage (to carb and shifter) - ?

Biggest issue there is it appears no one has attempted, so I have no idea as to success rate or results.


Regards,
John


Offline CUDA JAS

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 2292
  • vroooooom!
Re: Transmission Dilemma
« Reply #9 on: September 07, 2012 - 09:15:25 PM »
Have you considered a 518????

some good info here...http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=84774.0

Jason
74 'cuda 360/727



Gearhead: car nut, automotive enthusiast, one who loves hot rods, muscle cars, hot trucks, burnin' rubber and neck snapping performance. 

Just call me a gearhead!

Offline Old New Mopar

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 10
Re: Transmission Dilemma
« Reply #10 on: September 07, 2012 - 10:26:06 PM »
Jason,

I have looked into it, I really like the .69 OD. What I haven't been able to work out is shifter linkage a whether it would work with a factory console shifter.


Regards,
John

Offline CUDA JAS

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 2292
  • vroooooom!
Re: Transmission Dilemma
« Reply #11 on: September 08, 2012 - 07:51:31 AM »
Jason,

I have looked into it, I really like the .69 OD. What I haven't been able to work out is shifter linkage a whether it would work with a factory console shifter.


Regards,
John

I am pretty sure you can use the factory shifter with the 518....you may need a switch or other set up to control the overdrive  but that is it.

I know I am leaning that way for OD.

I think there are some other posts that go ito greter detail on the swap.

Json
74 'cuda 360/727



Gearhead: car nut, automotive enthusiast, one who loves hot rods, muscle cars, hot trucks, burnin' rubber and neck snapping performance. 

Just call me a gearhead!

Offline 360FISH

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 705
  • BS23H3B567746
Re: Transmission Dilemma
« Reply #12 on: September 11, 2012 - 02:28:45 AM »
I am pretty sure you can use the factory shifter with the 518....you may need a switch or other set up to control the overdrive  but that is it.

I know I am leaning that way for OD.

I think there are some other posts that go ito greter detail on the swap.

Json

The 518 is great, available and fits the car without tunnel mods.  I used my regular shifter...  The link above shows how I got it to work.
:)
Good luck with your decision... 

Alan

1973 ‘Cuda   Semi-Pro Touring
360 SB - 518/OD auto tranny - FAST EZ EFI - Edelbrock Fuel sump - HHR fan
Hella H4 headlights on relays - 97 Dodge Avenger seats - Chin spoiler - Bumpers pulled in to ’72 offset

Build: http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=74674.0