727 overdrive

[se71charger]

i want to swap out my 727 (on my 71 charger with a 383) for an overdrive unit.. i was looking at a a518..but thats computer operated isn't it? what would be a good way to go? thanks guys

[John_Kunkel]

The 518 (46RH) needs only two control switches to retrofit into an earlier car, the 46RE introduced in '96 is electreonic and is a poor choice for retrofitting.

[Mike DC]

The A518 deal needs adapter plates for a big block motor.  The whole tranny gets moved 1/2 an inch backwards, linkages have to be moved, mounting takes fabrication of a differnt tranny crossmember mount, etc.  I think the floor/crossmember won't clear on a muscle-era car without some hammering/cutting either. 

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This isn't what you want to hear, but I think the best real solution for overdriving an automatic Mopar big-block is the Gear Vendors Overdrive. 

It costs about $2400.  But it's actually a very strong item right out of the box unlike most of the modern automatics that could be retrofitted.  And there's little/no cutting & hammering anything on the car to install it.  Pay a bunch of money and get no headaches from it. 


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Keisler's $4000 swap to a GM 4L60E 4spd overdrive automatic seems like an even better move than the GV unit.  At least on paper. 

Four real gears, the case fits under a Mopar chassis okay, the overdrive gear in this one is a taller ratio than in the Gear Vendors unit, and it has a legit lockup torque converter.  (The GM tranny itself is only moderately strong right out of a junkyard, but they seem to have a solid reliability record at higher power levels once they get some aftermarket modifications.  That's how Keisler is doing the swap.)


Keisler itself has left some people in the Mopar hobby pissed off.  But they've also pleased some people very well.  Seems kinda hit-or-miss with them.

   

[se71charger]

thanks guys this helps alot

[John_Kunkel]

There is an alternative to using an adapter plate to mate the 518 to a BB, the Ultra-Bell replaces the existing bellhousing and keeps everything in the same orientation.

[OttawaCharger]

You should give these guys a call
http://www.redrider.us/727_transmission.htm
Their system seems logical in writing but I personally don't have any experience with them.

[375instroke]

Ultrabell just arrived for my A-518.  John_Kunkel, did you take that picture of the Ultrabell?  Have you installed one yet?

[John_Kunkel]

Yes, I took the pic of one I purchased on a group buy but haven't used it yet.