WHat does this term mean?

[BIRD67]

In reference to car magazines, I am always hearing the term "reverse manual valvebody" when talking about automatic transmissions..What exactly does it mean? I think I have a general idea but I'm not sure.. Any help would be appreciated.

[lisiecki1]

a reverse manual valve body has a shift pattern of park, reverse, neutral, 1, 2, 3, instead of the standard park, reverse, neutral, 3, 2, 1, the term "manual" means that you have to manually shift each gear, up and down, the transmission WILL NOT upshift or downshift on it's own.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

I run one in my Charger & I love it

[LeadfootBob]

The big advantage, in my opinion, is that you can do away with the kickdown linkage and run the slushbox at constant full line pressure. Hard shifting is an understatement. My '74 monte carlo has a powerglide with race prep and manual VB, makes me cringe whenever I upshift, especially at throttle :-)

[Ghoste]

The downside, depending on your point of view, is that it is no longer an automatic transmission.  You must do all upshifting and downshifting on your own and some will see that as a PITA on a street car.