Hey All. In the next 6 months I hope to have an engine built to run 500+rwkw and I'm starting my research into transmisions. What are your experiences with the C series transmissions as far as reliabilty and the amount of maintenance required? Anyone used a powerglide? My current choice is a full transbrake 1200hp Powerglide with a Gear Vendors overdrive and 3000rpm torque converter. With billet axles I reckon this can be done for under 10k and would be a beast on the track but still offer reasonable driveability.

I have a 1000hp powerglide,transbrake,dellow bellhousing,3500rpm dominator converter,pro ratchet shifter, custom tailshaft,custom crossmember,flexi dipstick,cast alloy pan,scattershield,filled with $200 worth of tranzmax z

I did everything myself except build the box and it cost me about 6k+ all up.

It cruises at 100kph on the freeway doing 3000rpm with 275/30/20" tyres and 3.46:1 ratio diff, mathematical trap speed with my 28" diameter slick is 144.5mph.

Actually driving with it is way easier than you would think and only took a few days to get used to, I even went on a mountain cruise where everyone drove like idiots and I still kept up with them pretty much all the way.

In a nutshell if you want to speed everywhere on the street economically the 1:1 top gear of the powerglide is crap, if you are happy doing the speed limit its fine, you can also make bulk hp and not be down the tranny shop every 2 weeks for a rebuild

Sounds good mate. The main reason for wanting the powerglide is just that - reliability. But I want this to be a daily driver too so the addition of the Gear Vendors should not only help by giving me a true overdrive but also a 1st over which should help the ET, essentially giving me a 4 speed box. I'm thinking that I could run a 1.9 1st gear. What 1st ratio are you running in your box? 145mph is chute territory - niiice...

Edited 04/08/08 09:40 AM04/08/08 09:40 AM by straughsberry

1.76 first.

I change at about 55kph when cruising on the street, those gear vendor things look great! I had never heard of them till you just posted that lol

Are you planning on having this as a street tune or will it be detuned for the street?

It sound's like you know what's going on man.

The Powerglide is pretty much your only option anyway for that sort of power.

I've got a Ford C9 3 speed with Transbrake that I've had built, and it's an all out affair, but it isn't going to withstand 500 rwkw.

I've opted for more streetability, with the 3 gear's and the rebuilt standard Turbo, as it's a streeter first and foremost.

Edited 04/08/08 01:02 PM04/08/08 01:02 PM by INFLYT

1.76 first.

I change at about 55kph when cruising on the street, those gear vendor things look great! I had never heard of them till you just posted that lol

1.76 - I suppose with the amount of torque we make that ratio is fine?

Yeah the Gear Vendors Overdrive seems to be an awesome peace of kit. I'm excited about being able to turn a purpose built drag box such as the powerglide into something very reasonable for the street.

Are you planning on having this as a street tune or will it be detuned for the street?

Definitely a race tune. A tamer 400+rwkw tune will probably be used on the street. I wonder how much difference in stall speed 100rwkw will make if the converter is 3000rpm? Reading this back, I wonder how many of us have no. 2 slot filled with a "street" tune and never actually run it! We'll see...

It sound's like you know what's going on man.

The Powerglide is pretty much your only option anyway for that sort of power.

I've got a Ford C9 3 speed with Transbrake that I've had built, and it's an all out affair, but it isn't going to withstand 500 rwkw.

I've opted for more streetability, with the 3 gear's and the rebuilt standard Turbo, as it's a streeter first and foremost.

Yeah the people I've been talking to seem to say the same. One guy reckons he has built a C4 for 800fwhp but it needs a high amount of maintenance, which means money. I was hoping to run a 3 speed, a C10 perhaps, with the gear vendors for a six speed box. But as long as I have a true overdrive, I'll be happy with a powerglide as it will be the Gear Vendors whoch makes the trans fit the requirement of streetability.

Can anyone suggest a good Powerglide builder? I've seen JPR, TCI PRO-X and Raceglides which all seem to be good.

Edited 04/08/08 05:54 PM04/08/08 05:54 PM by straughsberry

protrans did mine.

also wollongong automatics, he does all the rigoli gearboxes, he is currently building a gun powerglide for the 7 second vl that I sponsor.

MY C9 FROM KEWISH IS GARANTEED TO WITHSTAND 500RWKW. SO HOPEFULLY IT SHOULD BE A GOOD THING. NOT TOO BAD TO DRIVE OTHER THATN SITTING ON 3000RPM AT 100KM/H. OH WELL THAT S WHAT YOU SACRIFICE

Yeah, I'd also have to recommend Protrans, as he did mine also.

www.protrans.com.au