727 Replacement or enhancement options

[randy73]

Will a A518 or Keisler 4sp auto fit in a B body without modding the tunnel?

Will Gear Vendor's OD unit fit without modding?

I saw a write up on the A518, but it lacked Specific info on B bodies, also how dependable is the GV system?

Car is 73 340 charger

[Troy]

The answers are likely no, no, and no. However, I think the A518 is probably the best bet as I've seen a few converted with only a transmission cross member modification. There are several threads here on Gear Vendors conversions and the bulging part of the unit happens to be right where the torsion bar cross member is located. I haven't done a lot of research on the Keisler automatic but I *think* it requires some floor pan "massaging". I believe Bill440rt just put one in his car so look for some of his build threads for more info.

Found it already:
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,62840.0.html

Troy

[randy73]

Thanks, I saw his posts, but was not sure how revelent it was to my questions, as his is a 69 and mine is a 73.

[Troy]

Thanks, I saw his posts, but was not sure how revelent it was to my questions, as his is a 69 and mine is a 73.

Yes, but... the 69 and 73 had exactly the same transmission options so I don't think the transmission tunnel dimensions would have changed much. Engineers don't tend to make adjustments unless a problem is found (or a new part is available and has to be fitted).

Troy

[randy73]

Actually, I think the tunnels were slightly different for consoles versus column shifter and I have heard that a 518 will fit into a 3rd gen B body with only the rear mount needing to be modded and driveshaft shortened.
I found a place that will sell me a rebuilt 518 w convertor for $849 + 95 freight and the 727 will cost pretty close to that to rebuild.
i can get a 4l60e for $600, but would Keisler just sell the add ons, so I could install it???

I found 1 thread about a 3rd gen B Body and it was 6 yrs ago and he did not give a whole lot of detail.

After researching Gear vendors more, look like it would be a whole lot more to get that in, then a total swap.

[Troy]

I'd be flat out amazed if the actual floor pan was different between column and console shifted cars. Tooling for sheet metal panels that large is pretty expensive! For a console there were two brackets (three in 68-70) welded to the tunnel and the dimpled hole was opened up for the shifter linkage. For a 4-speed they just cut a big hole in the tunnel.

The E-body floor pan is mostly identical (at least in regards to the transmission area) and I know of two cars running the A518 with little or no modification to the floor pan itself. The cross member (the bolt on piece) needs serious modification though.

Troy

[Cooter]

IIRC, the 4L60E that Keisler sells has had EXTENSIVE mods like machining off the bellhousing in order for a Chrysler bellhousing to bolt to it...Without this, you would be up sh*t creek I would think....There really isn't any "bolt in" overdrives for the early Chrysler cars of the musclecar era...Unless, you got deep pockets for the Keisler stuff....

[randy73]

If I did have to slightly enhance the tunnel, where would the most likely place to have to Enhance?
Beginning of the tunnel I think would be fine, guessing that it is the farthest end that would need to be changed.
But I think it would be worth it, going from a 1:1 final drive to a 1:0.69

Wish someone who did the swap, would chime in about the tranny mount.  

[Cooter]

You need to do just that, as ALL of the conversions I've seen set the trans down so far without completely cutting up the crossmember in the tunnel at the back, that the U-joints run at wierd angles and that is NOT THE TICKET when driving at 80 Plus MPH..

[randy73]

Alright, I found a way to measure the tranny mount deviation, but I have another question.

On the 518, does the tranny bolt to the crossmember through one bolt through the crossmember and into the bottom of the housing.

Could not really tell from the pics I have seen.

[randy73]

Anybody know how the 518 bolts to the rear brace?

[John_Kunkel]

IIRC, the 4L60E that Keisler sells has had EXTENSIVE mods like machining off the bellhousing in order for a Chrysler bellhousing to bolt to it

The later 4L60E and 4L65E have removable bellhousings, I believe this is the one Keisler uses.

[randy73]

Also found that PATC sells a kit to make the converter lockup without a computer and does it without switches.
But I still cannot find out how the 518 bolts to the rear brace.

[randy73]

Ok, finally got humpty Dumpty almost put back together.

Does anybody have a pic of the rear cross member, I have heard there is a company making them, but I think it is for 2nd gen's and not 3rd.

I ordered the tranny and need to get the kit from PATC and cooling lines and that is it.

Where would be the best place to get 3/8th tranny cooling lines?

[Paul G]

This is how we modified my tranny crossmember. Used a Chevy truck trans mount and a piece of plate we had laying around.

[randy73]

How sturdy is the bracket?

[Paul G]

How sturdy is the bracket?

I have checked it a couple of times since. Holding up very well so far.

[flyinlow]

3/8 cooler lines are available at any part store. Bend to fit, I used a couple 36" and a couple 72" with a compression joint where they meet. B&M plate cooler.

The A518 should bolt to the 340. Torque converter would need to be correct for a 340 balance wise.

I have a 73 also. A518 behind a 440. My modified transmission crossmember looks similar to Paul's . However his is a 72 . The trans and the torsion  bars share a common crossmember on 72 and earlier b body's. 73 and later the torsion bars have a separate anchor/crossmember.  I used 5/16 angle iron to make the modified mount . Overkill probably.  Used the same two bolt early 90's C1500 2x4 trans mount. I bought a spare trans crossmember on Ebay before I started. I just tried to get the center of the tail shaft the same distance below the tunnel as the 727 was. I cut some off the webbing of the 518 tailshaft housing to help with tunnel clearance.

My car  is a very rare 73 SE 318 car, 1 of only 92,000    so hammering the tunnel a little to get overdrive was not an issue.

[randy73]

Did you use the overdrive kit from PATC, to get downshift and overdrive?

Thanks for the help guys and have a Merry Christmas!!   

[Paul G]

I used the presure switches from PATC. Got a generic relay and a GM trans kick down switch from Summit. Made my own bracket for the kickdown switch. Worked great. I ended up using an adjustable pressure switch for the lock up TC, mainly because of my 3.91 gears. I pieced together basically the same package PATC was selling, just got it cheaper. I am a cheap azz.

[randy73]

What year and truck type crossmember did you use?

[flyinlow]

The crossmember I used was a 73 Charger one I bought on Ebay for $15 to have as a spare , I could have just used the one I had to modify . I wanted a spare in case I decided to go back to the 727. Never will.
The transmission mount was from a '92 Chevy 1500 PU . I just went to Car Quest with the old mount and they helped me look thru what they had. The parts guy brought out four that might work . I bought two to take home and the C1500 was the best choice.Posted pictures of the modified crossmember about 3 years ago.

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,65534.0.html