jdewoskin

Good Evening,

Been a while since I have posted, mostly been reading the good information from others.

I have a 1972 Charger with a moderately built 440, stock torque converter, and stock 727. I am loosing third gear and since I bought the car reverse has been incredibly slow to engage. I adjusted the bands, flushed the system again, but it's still slipping.

I am thinking about buying a new transmission and using mine as a core. But, being somewhat new to 727's, I really do not know which aftermarket manufactures are good. I hear a lot about TCI and Hughs and was considering a TCI StreetFighter with a stronger but still stock range TC.

Any advice would be great. I do want a tranmission that could handle north of 500Hp as I do have plans in the works to slip in a more powerful 440.

And, I have about $2000 to spend on the tranmission and TC.

Thanks, Jake

78D200

Jake,

It's good to see you back. I would look at the super street fighter transmissions that TCI make as they are rated for ~600HP. When are you planning on swapping in a more powerful 440? If it won't be for some time, maybe think about having your 727 rebuilt and buy a new convertor.

jdewoskin

Tim,

Yes, TCI tranmissions seem to be well respected.

I am going to be pulling the engine and transmission in the next month or so. I am going to use the same engine for a while, but with the engine and transmission out I am going to clean up the engine compartment, redo some wiring, and begin a more agressive restoration.

So, figure this would be the time to deal with the tranny. The engine I have runs strong, so I am not in a hurry to replace it, the tranny on the other hand has reached the end of the road.

Jake

78D200

I think a TCI tranny and the proper torque convertor will cost you around $1400-$1500 shipped. You may want to just look into getting your current tranny rebuilt (maybe with some goodies) and a good torque convertor (like TCI Sizzler or Saturday Night Special).

Archer

Jake -

I'm going to go with the rebuild as well, just find a guy that does it with heavy duty/performance parts. Costs less and you should ned up with the same end - product.

Also, think about the stall speed on the converter. Depending on the power band of the engine, a 3000 stall will get off the line quicker, but may feel sluggish for normal street driving. Going lower with give you a faster lock up (more "normal" street driving), but go too low and you might be fighting the brake, depending on the engine's HP.

Archer

1966sportfury

i cant see a healthy stock 727 not handling just over 500 hp.

jdewoskin

Thank you all very much.

So, I called a local performance transmission shop today and just when I was decided to have the current tranmission rebuild, the guy I was speaking to threw in another idea.

While he had some great ideas for rebuilding and beefing up the 727, he also suggested a lot of hot rodders were installing a later model 518 to get the over drive and controlling it with a simple switch.

So, I know the 518 will bolt up and I will need to modify the drive shaft, but will it fit in the tunnel? I would love to have overdrive, on the highway at 65Mph I am pulling 3000Rpm. Overdrive would cut that down a bit.

So, just when I thought this was going to be an easy choice, now I have another transmission to consider.

Any thoughts?

Thanks, Jake

78D200

I could be mistaken, but I think the 518 is a small block transmission.

Archer

Jake -

3000 @ 65 mph, ain't that bad. It really depends on the rear end ratio you currently have or want. If you're in the 3.23 - 3.55 range, the gain won't be enough to matter (IMHO), if you have or plan on going to taller gears like 3.73 or more, then it might save you enough on the highway to matter.

Sorry, don't know anything about the 518 to make a call. You'd have to find out what the OD ratio is and how much torque/HP it can handle in addition to the physical size/shape.

Archer

.

1966sportfury

yes the 518 is a SB tranny. but someone on this site says they make adaptors to go behind a BB.
i don't know allot about the 518 i was told its a 727 with an overdrive. but then again I'm not sure.

78D200

The 518A is basically a small block 727 with OD.

In the Mid 90s, there was a 618A which was the same as the 518A but had stronger internals and was rated to handle 450lb.-ft torque.

jdewoskin

I am convinced. After reading here and doing some additional research, I am going to stick with the 727 and good rebuild.

The 518 will fit, but it requires a $475 adapter, plus the cost of the tranny, rebuild, and TC. So, all told, it would be well over my $2k budget and significantly harder to install. It does require a lot of sheet metal work to the tunnel and modification of the cross member. There's a great article on Hotrod.com about this swap.

Anyways, it's a 727 for me.

Even tho it's the dead of winter here in MN, I am hoping to pull the engine and tranny next month and begin the work.

I will keep everyone posted.

Thanks, Jake