Overdrive

[rrob]

I'm thinking of putting an A518 trans in place of the 727 this winter. Has anyone done this swap? Any problems? I know I'll need an adapter or new bellhousing but it would be nice to consult with someone who has actually done this swap in a 68-70 b-body. Thanks.   Rob

[PA Dodger]

This would be a good place to start.

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

[Dino]

So is it the norm that you have to manually engage and disengage the OD?  Does the Gearvendors work like that or is it more like a modern trans where you simply run 6 gears without using any switches?  I'd pay extra for the latter!  And looking at their prices it looks like I will!   

Is there any manual 5 or 6 speed trans that can be fit to a 440 in a b-body besides the Keisler?  That cost is just too much for me.

How many gears is the 518?

[PA Dodger]

I'm not a transmission guy. I learned a lot reading threads on here like the one I gave before. Another alternative to Kiesler is

http://www.transmissionsone.com/?gclid=CKa-loq38aICFRBTagodWV_tiA

There is a lot of info on their site.
I ended up with a Gear Vendor O.D. setup.

[mauve66]

gv can run in auto or manual, your choice

[Paul G]

I just put an A518 in my 72. Having that 4th gear is sooo nice! I set up the OD to come in around 40 mph, lockup converter to come in around 50 mph. The converter doesn't engage too much in town.

2nd gens most probably are different. But we did have to widen the tunnel to get it in. Just hammered it out in a few places as needed.

Too put it behind the 440 you will need an ultra bell like this guy used,

http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=3453311&an=0&page=1#Post3453311

or an adapter plate like this, Its a 2nd gen B body they put it in as well

http://www.hotrod.com/howto/43323_mopar_overdrive_transmission_swap/


The trans mount will have to be modified. And you may have linkage issues. There is a lot of info on the web about it.

[Paul G]

So is it the norm that you have to manually engage and disengage the OD? 

How many gears is the 518?

The OD and lock up can be set up on pressure switches with a TPS to work automatically. I did that, it works great. The early A 518's only have over drive, the later ones have OD and a lock up converter. Be carefull though. After the mid 90's they went with computer controlled A 518's. We cant use them. No way to control it.

[Cooter]

Bottom line is it will cost the average Mopar guy around $4000.00 To get an overdrive if He/She can't do ALOT of cusatom fab work by themselves.


This means, but not limited to, Cutting floorboards, Custom fabbing a new crossmember, Custom fabbing a new driveshaft, etc. No Virginia, there are no $1000.00 overdrives for the Mopar Musclecars...

(Ps, I converted my General Lee to overdrive using the weak ass T-5 BW trans out of a 1988 Mustang GT..Yes, it is weak, I can't bang gears like the Tremec guys can, but It cost me a total of aorund $300.00 to convert and I can run 88 MPH just like the other guys)....

[mauve66]

GV requires no fab work other than MAYBE a big hammer, also Keisler (sp) now has an auto (4spd i think) that will go in without any heavy mods also

[Dino]

There's so much info on this site my head is spinning!

So I like the idea of having a manual trans in my 69 and the T-56 seems like a fun toy.  I can buy one locally, brand new for $1400 but it's set up for an LT-1.  If I get the correct bellhousing will this thing bolt up to a 440 without additional, or at least minimal, mods?  Oh and it's an automatic now so I know I'll need to add pedals and who knows what else.

[Charger_Dart]

I put the Keisler 4 speed auto in my Charger and it has both a OD and a lock up converter. It has a nice control unit that allows you to easily adjust shift points and lock up settings. The install did not involve any modifications except maybe two hammer blows to a spot on the floor pan for clearance. It was really a nice bolt in kit with no fab work involved. I was then able to drop my rear end gear from a 3.23 to a 3.91 and still cruise at 70 at 2000 rpm's. Nice in my book. 

[Dino]

I put the Keisler 4 speed auto in my Charger and it has both a OD and a lock up converter. It has a nice control unit that allows you to easily adjust shift points and lock up settings. The install did not involve any modifications except maybe two hammer blows to a spot on the floor pan for clearance. It was really a nice bolt in kit with no fab work involved. I was then able to drop my rear end gear from a 3.23 to a 3.91 and still cruise at 70 at 2000 rpm's. Nice in my book. 

Agreed and that sounds like a lot less headache as well.  Reason I was dreaming of the T-56 was because my wife's Trans Am WS6 has one and it's awesome!

I'm actually removing my 3.91 gears soon and will be putting in 2.94's just because I need those rpm's to go down.  3.91 is no fun on the highway!

[flyinlow]

I have a 518 in my 73/440. 4 gear ratios forward. Looks and drives like a torqueflight. Flip two switches on the freeway and 1000 rpm disappear. You can automate it with pressure switches if you want.

Some of the things I needed:   A 518, 3/8 cooler lines, case of atf+4, MIG welder, lift, weekend, two experienced Buddy's, driveshaft shop to shorten the driveshaft. switches /wiring to make the OD and LU work,.Ultrabell to bolt to the trans.pump after you cut the stock bellhousing  off, Trans Go reprogram kit,transmission jack (518/converter is heavy)

Minor tunnel mods. You don't see them with carpet. Not a big deal. It's not like I would ever put the 727 back in it.

About $1200 it think so far. Third summer about 14k so far. Want to put a better converter in it and upgrade the clutches in the future.

Worth it... oh yea!

[rrob]

I have a 518 in my 73/440. 4 gear ratios forward. Looks and drives like a torqueflight. Flip two switches on the freeway and 1000 rpm disappear. You can automate it with pressure switches if you want.

Some of the things I needed:   A 518, 3/8 cooler lines, case of atf+4, MIG welder, lift, weekend, two experienced Buddy's, driveshaft shop to shorten the driveshaft. switches /wiring to make the OD and LU work,.Ultrabell to bolt to the trans.pump after you cut the stock bellhousing  off, Trans Go reprogram kit,transmission jack (518/converter is heavy)

Minor tunnel mods. You don't see them with carpet. Not a big deal. It's not like I would ever put the 727 back in it.

About $1200 it think so far. Third summer about 14k so far. Want to put a better converter in it and upgrade the clutches in the future.

Worth it... oh yea!

That's what I'm going to do this winter. Looks quite doable to me, only minor fabrication to do.  Did you have any clearance issues on the frame  section where the trany mount bolts on?

[flyinlow]

Mine is a 73 , separate x member for the trans and one for the torsion bars. Paul did one in his 72 which is closer to your car. I cut some of the extra webbing from the back of the tailshaft housing. I Had to notch the crossmember for speedo cable union housing. There is a picture in one of the previous posts . Also needed a 20" speedo cable extension.  John Kuncle had a picture of an offset speedo gear housing that might prevent having to notch the crossmember, I was not aware of that when I did mine.