powerglide

[64lusso]

Hello folks, I have just joined and introduced myself in the 'newbie' section above.
I am contemplating building a Track T style street rod, there are several companies that make many of the parts I will need in a somewhat incomplete kit form. I am mostly leaning towards a kit made by Speedway Motors and the V6 60 is one of their preferred engine suggestions. They say these cars can weigh as little as 1500lbs and my goal, if I go forward with it, is to try to build it as light and aerodynamic as possible.
So here's my first question: has anybody ever used a powerglide with this engine? If so what do I need to adapt one to the engine?
Why on earth would anyone want to? If I decide to dive into this project it will be my first build and I want to keep things as simple as possible so not having to come up with a clutch set up in a car that wasn't designed for one and has very little room for one will be helpful. If my research is correct, glides are the lightest auto trans and have the least amount of parasitic loss of any auto box. Finally with a car this light I think it could be geared such that it still has good acceleration and a reasonable cruising RPM with just two gears.
All thoughts and recommendations appreciated.
Jay

[caffeine]

If you used a SBC bellhousing, you could probably use the TH-350 kit from speedway motors. But then you could just use the TH-350 and have an extra gear .

[Superdave]

I can't recall a Powerglide ever being used, but like Caffeine said you'd have to use the Speedway motors adapter plate and then figure out what flexplate would give the right spacing for good converter engagement.


I would recommend a TH350 though, they do weigh a little more but that extra gear will make driving it around a little more pleasant. I've got a 700R4 in mine and it's really nice to have the OD + the TCC lockup, currently has 3.73 gears but will have 4.10's soon and it'll still be fine on the highway.

[Purple pit]

Dave have you seen the Raptor 700r4? They raise the first gear to make it more of a close ratio trans. That gear spread is my biggest problem with that trans and why I always wanted a built 200 4r.
I always hated the 700r4 in my 83 Z28. I could go balls out in 1st and then it would fall on it's face when it hit 2nd. I'm sure your stall helps, but a poor gear ratio hurts no matter what you do.

[Superdave]

Yah, i checked that out a while back but man... $$$$$


My stall flashes around 4500 and shifting pretty close to 7K the drop isn't as bad, you're right though.. it does suck. haha

[Guest]

A manual is not that difficult to install, when using a hydraulic clutch actuation system. The pedal end will be nearly the same if not exactly the same as installing the brake pedal and master cylinder, a hydraulic hose to the slave cylinder and done.

Even with a light car, like a T, I would still go for a minimum of 3 gears. My Uncles T used to have a 'Glide in it when it was first built and while it was kinda cool to shift to second at 70 MPH, cruising at anything higher than city speeds caused the engine to be winding kinda high, even with the tall tire that was on it.

You could also use a 700R4 the '80s 2.8L S-series or F-Body, and not need to worry about any adapters, gaining 2 gears over the 'Glide, one being an overdrive. With the steep 1st gear, you can use a high diff gear and get some great top end out of the light car.

[Purple pit]

Yah, i checked that out a while back but man... $$$$$


My stall flashes around 4500 and shifting pretty close to 7K the drop isn't as bad, you're right though.. it does suck. haha

Yes they are very proud of their work. A little too proud. You should talk 3X00 Mod into building you one(lol).

[64lusso]

Thanks for your thoughts and certainly willing to keep an open mind on this. I am thinking that light weight and low parasitic losses will trump everything else in a low horsepower, light weight car but as I have 0 experience with this type of thing and have only spent a few $$ for some books at this point it doesn't cost me anything to change my mind. Since I don't have anything in front of me to look at to measure at the moment it's a little hard to imagine what I may run into trying to fit a clutch, would certainly prefer a manual but just going with Speedway's auto recommendation for now.

[dskopek]

I ran a 2.8 with a turbo 350 using Speedways adapter and the only problem I ever had was breaking 1 flexplate becouse of the spacer you need to use with that setup. I just used a larger washer to spread the load a little more on the flex plate and never had a problem after

[Purple pit]

One thing you don't need in a car that light is a 700r4 with a 3.06:1 first gear. Or a manual with an even lower first gear. The glide may just work out for you, but I still would go for a TH350. To me a glide is for engine that has a good amount of low end torque. Also with the TH350 you can have a higher FD gear for highway driving.