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Powerglide to replace my Torqueflite

Mike Gaines

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Apr 17, 2014
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Location
Ahwahnee, (Fresno) California
Some fellow racers are telling me the problem I have getting my car launched is because the first gear ratio in the torqueflite is really low to try and launch a 1000HP car off the line..
One of my buddies run a 62 Savoy with a 572 1000hp wedge that run 9.00's. He runs a Powerglide which has a 1.80 first gear ratio and allows him to get the car off the line easier.
Thoughts about this please......
 
I wouldn't do it but I'm hard core. I'd find a way to make the 727 work if it killed me.
 
Mike, one of the guys on here doing the powerglide. @440 Ronnie 67. He is doing a build in members project. Maybe he can help.
 
Guys have been doing this for years. It usually cuts the ET but, they need to be extensively beefed up (as you undoubtedly know-not cheap to do). I hear you about straying from Mopar equipment but, if you're looking for more speed sometimes you have to plug your nose and go for it!
Mike
 
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yes call A& A TRANS they have different gear sets i have used them and there great
Not mention the powerglide is lighter,takes less horsepower to operate and if you buy certain aftermarket case and bell housing no external shields required. There are also several first gear ratios available for P/G.
 
Not mention the powerglide is lighter,takes less horsepower to operate and if you buy certain aftermarket case and bell housing no external shields required. There are also several first gear ratios available for P/G.
I just put a Glide in my belvedere but the covid virus has our tracks shut down so I can't say if it pick up or slowed down.
 
Mine has always run on 10.5x31. Standard 2.45 727, 4.30 gear. 310lbs nose heavy. No 4 link either. Is it always perfect? Nope. But it gets bracket raced on local poor prep against plenty of PG cars. Plenty of them dealing with tire spin as well. At this weight a PG will slow it down. Seen it many times. Over the last 2 years only a handful of runs where it really "blew the tires off". The trick is not to run the shocks on kill. Soften it up a little. Most times running index it'll be around 1.30.The difference in ET isn't much. A 1.25 vs 1.30 nets .05, no more.
Doug
 
Mine has always run on 10.5x31. Standard 2.45 727, 4.30 gear. 310lbs nose heavy. No 4 link either. Is it always perfect? Nope. But it gets bracket raced on local poor prep against plenty of PG cars. Plenty of them dealing with tire spin as well. At this weight a PG will slow it down. Seen it many times. Over the last 2 years only a handful of runs where it really "blew the tires off". The trick is not to run the shocks on kill. Soften it up a little. Most times running index it'll be around 1.30.The difference in ET isn't much. A 1.25 vs 1.30 nets .05, no more.
Doug
Thanks
 
My buddy went to a glide in his 10.0 Cuda because he runs it in the 10.90 Super Street sometimes. And he wanted a softer launch for more consisdent launch. Its real important in that racing to have a solid consisdent 60 ft so he can dail the car better. He said he was hitting the tire to hard with the 727 and could not keep his 60 solid. Seems funny to an old hotrodder that anyone would want to soften the launch on his race car but it makes sense in that style of racing I guess. Ron
 
Mike does the car currently have a "pro trans" from Smith's in it? If so have you talked to them on what they suggest?
 
Don't forget, when seriously bracket racing your opponent probably is running a glide. The higher gear ratio really helps soften the launch, which can lead to more consistant runs. Also convertor selection is more important.
 
A lot of bracket guys just want to race, not tune. That's why there is a ton of 9-11 second stuff with a glide, trans brake, and 14x32 slicks. A lot of racers will tell you that's what it takes to win. Puts a smile on my face to beat them foot braking on 10.5s dialed low 9's.
Doug
 
Mike does the car currently have a "pro trans" from Smith's in it? If so have you talked to them on what they suggest?
It does have a Torqueflite built by Dave at ProTrans. All rollerized, Aluminum Billet Drum. hardened output shaft, good sprag, etc, etc, etc. but....I have no interest in changing the 1st gear ratio. I just need to make adjusments in the chassis to get the launch perfected using the transbrake. Thanks
 
A lot of bracket guys just want to race, not tune. That's why there is a ton of 9-11 second stuff with a glide, trans brake, and 14x32 slicks. A lot of racers will tell you that's what it takes to win. Puts a smile on my face to beat them foot braking on 10.5s dialed low 9's.
Doug
A continued thanks for your input. I WILL get this chassis figured out with more knowledge and more runs. ( like I posted earlier, I only have a total of 12 runs on this all new setup) I know I can get consistent 9.00s out of this sled.
Right now, just footbraking and NOT doing any chassis mods the car will run 9.25 everyrun, very consistently.
One of the classes that I run uses the .400 Pro Tree so I must have the transbrake launch perfected for that ProTree launch.
Thanks Again

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