Question: 47re Transmission Swap?

[Rustymuscle]

This is a total shot in the dark, but what's the possibility of getting a 47re to work in a mid-10 second '69 Charger?

The questions are:
1) Can a 47re (three speed w/ electric overdrive) work with a 4,200-or-higher stall converter?
2) Can the 47re fit in the factory '69 B-Body transmission tunnel?
3) Does the 47re have the right bell housing bolt pattern to mate up to a 440 block?
4) Can a 47re be built strong enough for street/strip usage?
5) Can a 47re be fitted with a reverse manual valve body?



It's just an idea as I got my hands on a cheap 2WD 47re and started wondering...

[lisiecki1]

you would probably be happier with a 727 and a gear vendors overdrive....sounds like less headaches in the long run....super easy to build one yourself too....

[John_Kunkel]

If you want to spend the money the 47RE can be built to take some power, the site in the link below shows some options.

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

Ultra Bell makes a bellhousing to mate it to a 440 or there are adapters available.

http://www.campbellenterprises.com/automatic-transmission-parts/jw-performance-transmissions/ultra-bell-bellhousing.htm

SMR offers a reverse manual VB which would be advisable since the RE trans needs electronics to shift automatically.

http://smrtrans.tripod.com/smrtransmissionsintro/id22.html

[Dodgecharger74]

Has any one tried swapping in a 518 overdrive in their 3rd gen charger?

[flyinlow]

Yea I have a 518 in my 73 Charger 440. Used Ultrabell ,trans go shift kit, modified crossmember and shortened driveshaft.

2000 miles so for behind a 475hp BB.  Use toggle switches for OD and Lock up. 2000 rpm at 70 mph with 3.55 axle.

Big oil cooler ,some hammering in trans tunnel. Envite some chevy guys over for the hammering. They enjoyed it.

Use OD and lock up for cruising only. not built for racing. First three gears built like a 727.

Weekend project with a lift and some fabricating skills.

[d72hemi]

Yea I have a 518 in my 73 Charger 440. Used Ultrabell ,trans go shift kit, modified crossmember and shortened driveshaft.

2000 miles so for behind a 475hp BB.  Use toggle switches for OD and Lock up. 2000 rpm at 70 mph with 3.55 axle.

Big oil cooler ,some hammering in trans tunnel. Envite some chevy guys over for the hammering. They enjoyed it.

Use OD and lock up for cruising only. not built for racing. First three gears built like a 727.

Weekend project with a lift and some fabricating skills.

Flyinlow,

You did not have to cut your tunnel; only smack it a bit with a hammer? If so, do you think that the 518 (or 618/47rh/47re the same transmission case) with the 4X4 style tail shaft could fit the trans tunnel of a 3rd gen. Charger? The reason I ask, is because the 4X4 style tail shaft is required to run a Gear Vendors overdrive. A bit over kill, but just an idea I have been kicking around.

Ian

[flyinlow]

my trans came out of a 94 3500 series van with a 360 engine . Three inches longer than the 727 I removed. Three wire trans. Stored dry, bright red fluid in it.
Made three ,1/2 tennis ball size dents inward on tunnel. Don't see them with carpet and consol.

Remade crossmember for more clearence and used a chevy pick up truck trans. mount.

[flyinlow]

some pics

[e.barojas]

I did this swap on a 3rd gen... I swapped the original magnum engine with this tranny and had them running for a while.

The tranny worked ok but without modification of the tranny tunnel it doesnt really fit properly... Hell, it never really fits properly, the oil carter is waaaay down and will hit a large speedbump even if you drive carefully.
Also, you really need to create a proper crossmember that will actually work with the mount. This is very important.
Even after you do all this, the engine working angle will also change... how can i explain... The engine ends up looking "up". To avoid this, you need to heavily modify the transmission tunnel.
The shifting linkage also needs to be modified.
Also, for practical everyday driving it works like a three speed... To activate the OD you have to activate a switch while in third, and then deactivate the switch otherwise it wont go back down to second or first. Its not comfortable.

The OD linkage also has to change...

It can be done and its not extremely difficult, but it aint bolt on for sure.
In my case, it was such a nuisance having the carter so low that i ended up switching back to a 727, (and having a shit load of trouble with the torque converter because of that).

anyway. i wish it was helpful
cheve

[d72hemi]

If you want to spend the money the 47RE can be built to take some power, the site in the link below shows some options.

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

Ultra Bell makes a bellhousing to mate it to a 440 or there are adapters available.

http://www.campbellenterprises.com/automatic-transmission-parts/jw-performance-transmissions/ultra-bell-bellhousing.htm

SMR offers a reverse manual VB which would be advisable since the RE trans needs electronics to shift automatically.

http://smrtrans.tripod.com/smrtransmissionsintro/id22.html

What about the OD and lockup for the 47re? I know how it is done with the 1995 and earlier 47rh/518/618, but I do not know how to do it with a 47re?

[flyinlow]

I did this swap on a 3rd gen... I swapped the original magnum engine with this tranny and had them running for a while.

The tranny worked ok but without modification of the tranny tunnel it doesnt really fit properly... Hell, it never really fits properly, the oil carter is waaaay down and will hit a large speedbump even if you drive carefully.
Also, you really need to create a proper crossmember that will actually work with the mount. This is very important.
Even after you do all this, the engine working angle will also change... how can i explain... The engine ends up looking "up". To avoid this, you need to heavily modify the transmission tunnel.
The shifting linkage also needs to be modified.
Also, for practical everyday driving it works like a three speed... To activate the OD you have to activate a switch while in third, and then deactivate the switch otherwise it wont go back down to second or first. Its not comfortable.




The OD linkage also has to change...

It can be done and its not extremely difficult, but it aint bolt on for sure.
In my case, it was such a nuisance having the carter so low that i ended up switching back to a 727, (and having a shit load of trouble with the torque converter because of that).

anyway. i wish it was helpful
cheve

I trimmed the webbing on the tailshaft housing for more clearence. Trans tunnel to tailshaft center measurement was the same for both the 518 and 727. the housing is within a 1/4 inch of the tunnel at one point .

never dragged the trans oil pan. The 518 does have a deeper pan . (can't use a 727 pan unless it it a deep one) exhuast drags first.

On mine if you leave the OD switched on , the trans does not care. It will shift 1-2 normal, then 2-3 it will shift into OD very soon afterward. The converter just slips more for a longer period durring accelleration and the car feels slugish.

If you leave the converter in lockup and stop the car as you slow the engine will be forced below normal idle speed and it starts bucking at about 400rpm. As you slow enough to downshift to first the converter unlocks. I don't recommend this.

I will never go back to a 727 ( no disrepect , its a great trans for its day).This mod make the Charger a real road car.

[Black and Blown]

If you want to spend the money the 47RE can be built to take some power, the site in the link below shows some options.

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

Ultra Bell makes a bellhousing to mate it to a 440 or there are adapters available.

http://www.campbellenterprises.com/automatic-transmission-parts/jw-performance-transmissions/ultra-bell-bellhousing.htm

SMR offers a reverse manual VB which would be advisable since the RE trans needs electronics to shift automatically.

http://smrtrans.tripod.com/smrtransmissionsintro/id22.html

Did a search.  Found this thread.  John, thank you for this information.  Since this post is 10 years old, I want to seek clarification on a couple quick things.  I have obtained a 47RE for free - currently running the 727 in my 70 Charger (blown 440). 

Question 1:  In the past 10 years, is there something new in the way of "easy bolt-in" stuff that would give me an overdrive and lock-up?  Or, should this 47RE conversion project really be considered an attractive option?

If I understand your post above, I need the the ultra-bellhousing (or some "available adaptors" - not sure what you mean there - would you clarify for me please?)

I'd also need to shift manually using a reverse valve body - or is there some attractive electronic control unit I should consider?  And if I shift manually with a reverse valve body, do I also need an electronic switch to activate the overdrive and lock-up?  FWIW my engine is fuel injected with the Holley Avenger set-up - not sure if it's capable of running the transmission shift... thank you for any additional input you have.

[200MPH]

check these guys out

http://www.coperacingtrans.com/

[John_Kunkel]

Best way is to avoid the 46RE/47RE trans in favor of the 46RH which needs only basic electrical connections but there are available controllers for the RE now if you want to stay automatic.

http://www.e-transcontrol.com/dodge-transmission/

The Mopar OD transmissions only come with the small block bellhousing so an adapter or adapter bellhousing like the Ultrabell is necessary to mate it to a big block.

Since my last post Cope has come out with a manual VB for the OD transmissions.

[Black and Blown]

ok thank you..! 

[Kern Dog]

I have a recently rebuilt one....Nice shape, new converter too!
I'm not going to use it, I'm still considering a 5 speed swap.