What Overdrive Options are available for our cars?

[Dave22443]

I have heard of the Gear Vendors units for a list price of $2700, but I was wondering if there were any other options available?  Ideally, I would prefer a nice high performance all in one unit but I don't know if such a thing exists.  And if Gear Vendors is the only or best option, where can I get the best price on one?

I am intentionally leaving out details about the car because I am probably not the only one interested in the answers.

[justcruisin]

As far as I know, the only options without hacking holes in the floor pan is the GV unit as you mentioned or the Keisler/GM 4 speed. I'm sure there are other 5/6 speed manual boxes that will fit but these two are a bolt in fit.

[solids0be]

You could get an A518 and beef up the internals..final gear may not be as high as a GV or tremec unit. But it won't break your wallet either....although there are other mods that you have to do to your car if you want the 518 to fit and engage properly.

a quick search popped this up

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

[HPP]

There are the old stand by Richmond ROD 4+1 and 5+1 units that have been around since the '80s.

Keisler is coming out with a new "rounded" top transmission that is NOT the TKO version most places sell.

Passon is coming out with an 833 based 5 speed that should be released some time this summer.

Passon also offers the OD 4th gear conversion in a 4 speed case for 833s.

As mentioned above, for automatics there are the A518 and Keisler 480l conversions. The A518 case is bigger than a 727 and may still require some hammer work though.

FWIW, you can find lots of Gear Vendors on craigs list for around a grand. Many are new in the box. Most  have turbo400 adapters with them, but you can buy adapters seperatly from GV direct. I believe they even used to offer a trade in program for adapters.

[randy73]

This is what I am doing, putting a 46rh(518) into my car w/340. Found a guy who will sell me one rebuilt for $895 w/convertor and $95 freight to a business and I am going to buy PATC kit, which requires no switches or buttons.

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

Keisler sells a mount for e-bodies and I think it would work on a b-body.

I have a thread about this, if you want to check it out,

[flyboyedwards]

If we are talking about an overdrive for the 4 speed cars, my best advice is the Passon 5 speed. Direct bolt in, no mods, retains standard 4 speed performance, with the extra gear for overdrive. Just my 2 , and what I will be doing, when the car is finished.

[Rolling_Thunder]

If we are talking about an overdrive for the 4 speed cars, my best advice is the Passon 5 speed. Direct bolt in, no mods, retains standard 4 speed performance, with the extra gear for overdrive. Just my 2 , and what I will be doing, when the car is finished.

only downside to the Passon transmission is the high cost....       for other 4-speed cars you can use a stock OD 4-speed

[six-tee-nine]

I'll see how it works out. I still have a long way to go before my car will see the road, but until that happens I'll just rebuild the 18 spline 4 speed and start with that. If I have hunger for a gear morer after a yar or two then I might go with the passon unit. By then I hope they have proven their quality. (Not that I doubt that )

[Dave22443]

Thanks for all the input guys.  For my specific need, I need automatic and at the moment I am leaning towards the Gear Vendors unit as it appears to be the most proven and bullet proof design.

[rooks]

Regardless of price, both the Passon 5 Speed & the new Keisler RS 5 Speed are probably a ways off - they've both had significant delays. I wouldn't be surprised if neither of them see the light of day this year.

Is it just about better highway cruising?

If you're not too concerned about 1/4 mile times, as a temporary fix you could always switch to a taller diff ratio.

[elacruze]

I just finished the Power Tour with my new Gear Vendors behind hemi 4 speed. I'll never look back and wonder...it was money well spent.

[Dave22443]

Is it just about better highway cruising?

If you're not too concerned about 1/4 mile times, as a temporary fix you could always switch to a taller diff ratio.

  Yes, its mainly to get the RPM's down at highway speeds.  Right now, 60mph = 3500rpm   

[flyinlow]

I am happy with my A518. (446 engine/3.55 axle) Flip two switches at 70 mph and a 1000 rpm go away.   

[200MPH]

There are the old stand by Richmond ROD 4+1 and 5+1 units that have been around since the '80s.

Keisler is coming out with a new "rounded" top transmission that is NOT the TKO version most places sell.

Passon is coming out with an 833 based 5 speed that should be released some time this summer.

Passon also offers the OD 4th gear conversion in a 4 speed case for 833s.

As mentioned above, for automatics there are the A518 and Keisler 480l conversions. The A518 case is bigger than a 727 and may still require some hammer work though.

FWIW, you can find lots of Gear Vendors on craigs list for around a grand. Many are new in the box. Most  have turbo400 adapters with them, but you can buy adapters seperatly from GV direct. I believe they even used to offer a trade in program for adapters.

used gear vendor for a grand where

[elacruze]

You can buy parts and pieces from Gear Vendors, but they are so expensive that you don't hardly save anything over buying a whole unit. I wanted an adapter for a833, for the adapter and coupler it was over $800. I did buy a GV unit for $500 with no adapter, so it's a significant savings but $500 GVs are few and far between. I see them on ebay for $1000-$1500 usually.