1968 Coronet R/T - 4 speed to 700R4 Swap

[Dad's R/T]

Has anyone had any real world experience with using one of the TCI 700R4 swap kits into a 1968 Coronet 4 speed car (mild 440 engine)? Looking at possibly swapping my 4 speed setup to an auto because I drive this car a lot in traffic and really believe I would enjoy it better. Want an overdrive setup that doesn't require cutting or modding the undercarriage. Plan on keeping all of the 4 speed stuff since my car was originally a 4 speed R/T.. Also looking at the 727/Gear Vendor setup but that's at least $2,000 or more starting with new stuff... Thanks in advance for any info or suggestions!

 

[pnora]

Instructions. file:///C:/Users/MainUser/Downloads/MAM-02001_A41_MOPAR_A,_B,_&_E-Body_Installation_Manual_revW.pdf

 

[Dad's R/T]

Instructions. file:///C:/Users/MainUser/Downloads/MAM-02001_A41_MOPAR_A,_B,_&_E-Body_Installation_Manual_revW.pdf

Thanks! Reviewed this since it's for the electronic controlled transmission but has the same physical dimensions as the 700R4... Hopefully someone who has done this swap will chime in with experiences..

 

[ckessel]

 

[R413]

Go to the gym and workout for 2 months, build some muscle and the clutch will be fun to drive again.

 

[Dad's R/T]

Go to the gym and workout for 2 months, build some muscle and the clutch will be fun to drive again.

LOL... Clutch isn't real bad since it has a diaphragm McLeod in it... Was looking at a MalWood hydraulic setup and switching to a Centerforce dual friction clutch... But that doesn't fix how sloppy the 883 is (and mine is a Passon Hemi OD done by Brewer's around 2013/2014 time frame)... Could switch up to a 5 speed from SST but that's a lot of $$$ and effort to just think "yea I should have gone to an auto"....

FYI... I drag raced manual Mustangs from 1992 to 2013 so at one time that was the only way I would have a muscle/sports car...

 

[pnora]

How much is a TCI kit?

 

[Dad's R/T]

How much is a TCI kit?

Starts out around $4,300 without a torque converter and crossmember (rated for 550 hp)... Probably would be close to $6,500 all in depending on how many "extras" required... I would want a non-lockup converter with a mild stall to handle the cam in my 440... I haven't checked with SST to see if they do a complete kit with a 700R4 instead of the 4L60e... TCI puts a constant pressure VB in the 700R4 so it eliminates the possibility of killing the transmission with improper TV adjustment...

 

[pnora]

Starts out around $4,300 without a torque converter and crossmember (rated for 550 hp)... Probably would be close to $6,500 all in depending on how many "extras" required... I would want a non-lockup converter with a mild stall to handle the cam in my 440... I haven't checked with SST to see if they do a complete kit with a 700R4 instead of the 4L60e... TCI puts a constant pressure VB in the 700R4 so it eliminates the possibility of killing the transmission with improper TV adjustment...

I thought they started out around 5,800.00 but I might be wrong. That did not include converter or driveshaft.

 

[Dad's R/T]

I thought they started out around 5,800.00 but I might be wrong. That did not include converter or driveshaft.

$5,800 was probably for the 750hp rated transmission... And yes, the TCU kit I am looking at on Mancini Racing's website does not include a torque converter, driveshaft, or cross member as far as I can tell...

 

[pnora]

$5,800 was probably for the 750hp rated transmission... And yes, the TCU kit I am looking at on Mancini Racing's website does not include a torque converter, driveshaft, or cross member as far as I can tell...

I see that. Besides the converter and drive shaft you would need a shifter, cooler plumbing, and misc. Probably will get up to 6 grand pretty quick.

 

[4speed68rt]

Your car is my cars twin. Don't change it.

 

[Kern Dog]

I had a 700 in a Chevy truck and liked it so much I put one in a 76 Camaro back in the early 90s. It sure was nice to have that overdrive gear.
I wish that the 518 came in a big block pattern and had a lower first gear.

 

[jeff alder]

Leave it be...I had a 68 automatic Coronet R/T and changed it to a 4 gear back in the 80's. No regrets. It was so much more fun to drive. Most people dream about 4 gear muscle cars. The 68 R/T and Super Bee are my favorite year B body Mopars. You can't improve upon perfection. My Avatar car is a 67 440 4 gear Coronet R/T. I would still rather drive it with the sloppy old Inland 4 speed shifter than a perfect automatic...even in traffic!

 

[jeff alder]

LOL... Clutch isn't real bad since it has a diaphragm McLeod in it... Was looking at a MalWood hydraulic setup and switching to a Centerforce dual friction clutch... But that doesn't fix how sloppy the 883 is (and mine is a Passon Hemi OD done by Brewer's around 2013/2014 time frame)... Could switch up to a 5 speed from SST but that's a lot of $$$ and effort to just think "yea I should have gone to an auto"....

FYI... I drag raced manual Mustangs from 1992 to 2013 so at one time that was the only way I would have a muscle/sports car...

Are you sure it's not the shifter mechanism rather than the trans? The original Mopar clutch and pressure plates were fine. Is that a dual quad Hemi R/T? There is no need for all that fancy aftermarket crap on a daily or weekend driver.

 

[andrewwoz]

Probably not a ton of help but the review here mentions some fitment issues...

https://www.tciauto.com/4x-four-spe...rysler-non-electronic-700r4-based-750-hp.html

 

[Dad's R/T]

Probably not a ton of help but the review here mentions some fitment issues...

https://www.tciauto.com/4x-four-spe...rysler-non-electronic-700r4-based-750-hp.html

Thanks! Info like that review on the installation is exactly what I am looking for in considering this...

 

[Dad's R/T]

Are you sure it's not the shifter mechanism rather than the trans? The original Mopar clutch and pressure plates were fine. Is that a dual quad Hemi R/T? There is no need for all that fancy aftermarket crap on a daily or weekend driver.
View attachment 1992207

Definitely going to check out the shifter to make sure it's not one of the issues... Clutch definitely needs some attention.... The car was a 440/4 speed... Original motor and transmission are long gone... It now has a 440 Six Pack setup with a Passon Hemi OD transmission... I believe the Dana 60 with 3.54 gears is still the original rear end...

 

[Dad's R/T]

I had a 700 in a Chevy truck and liked it so much I put one in a 76 Camaro back in the early 90s. It sure was nice to have that overdrive gear.
I wish that the 518 came in a big block pattern and had a lower first gear.

I read a long thread you had a while back trying to figure out what transmission to go with in your Charger... Some great info!

 

[Dad's R/T]

Your car is my cars twin. Don't change it. View attachment 1992048

Beautiful ride! White interior? I believe my Dad's R/T was QQ1 blue with a black top and white interior...