5.0 or 4.2 lever

[71mopar383]

I rebuilding a 727 I have a 5.0 lever in there now any advanatge to switching to a 4.2?

[Ghoste]

Some like the 4.2 better and other insist the 5 (Hemi) lever is the way to go.  If you are making a lot of torque, the higher clamping pressure of the 5.0 lever may be better but others say that it takes longer to release. 
I have a 5.0 lever sitting in my toolbox and kept the 4. in my trans.  For most street applications, it probably is just splitting hairs.

[John_Kunkel]

The 5.0 lever has fallen out of favor due to the slower release but most can't tell any difference (either by the buttmeter or the ET slip).

[HDCharger]

Believe I have the 3.8 in mine and it shifts pretty hard.

[Steve P.]

The 5.0 lever has fallen out of favor due to the slower release but most can't tell any difference (either by the buttmeter or the ET slip).

So John, what is your opinion?? 5.0 or something else for the street with manual valve body??

[firefighter3931]

I'm going with the 4.2 lever.....manual valvebody with low band apply. 



Ron

[Steve P.]

Morning Ron..  I already have the 5.0 installed. I realllly want to know more about the workings of an automatic tranny. I am a tranny Pollock. I just never pulled one apart to see what makes them tic... 

[firefighter3931]

Morning Ron..  I already have the 5.0 installed. I realllly want to know more about the workings of an automatic tranny. I am a tranny Pollock. I just never pulled one apart to see what makes them tic... 

Good morning to you too Steve 

As mentioned above the 4.2 lever releases quicker for faster shifts with less overlap. Cope recommended this one for mine so that's what i went with. Perhaps it doesn't make a whole lot of difference for most cars..... and in your case i would keep  th 5.0 lever if it's allready installed. 

As John mentioned above the difference in ET is negligable for most street/strip builds



Ron

[Steve P.]

I wonder if one causes more wear over the other or if that is too slight to tell also??

[John_Kunkel]

Following the rules that Archimedes laid out, a lever with a higher ratio will have more travel at the apply end so, in order to keep the servo travel fairly constant, higher ratio levers need to be adjusted tighter. Because of this, there is theoretically more wear caused by the parasitic drag of the tighter band clearance around the drum and the added drag as the band releases on the 2-3 upshift.

I say "theoretically" because I doubt if there has ever been a controlled study done of band life with the different lever ratios, and anecdotal experience varies.

[Steve P.]

Thanks John. That's about what I figured..

[oldkimmer]

If u r running lots of miles on the street the 3.8 lever is best, but as long as u build the proper clearances into the trans u can run any lever u want, and if u dont have the proper clearances u will have bind up which will shorten ur trans life, which could be very short..........kim.........