Manual Labor (or Lack Thereof)
If you've found one of these bulletproof manual transmissions, but the poor thing needs a rebuild, the guys at Motive Gear can help you out because they stock almost all of the parts for these five manual transmissions. But that's not all. They also stock parts for hundreds of other manual transmissions as well as transfer cases. As their name implies, they're also a great parts source for axle gears too. If you don't want to mess with finding and rebuilding one of the five manual transmissions we've listed, you can simply call Novak Conversions because they offer the NP435, T-18, SM465, and even the hard-to-locate SM420 in complete, ready-to-bolt-in form. Advance Adapters offers complete ready-to-install NV4500s.
Mix and Match
Want to replace that troublesome Getrag transmission in your Dodge with an NV4500? Do you want to fit your Ford with a GM 700R4 transmission? Well, the guys at Advance Adapters can help make this happen and more. They offer adapters not only to complete transmission swaps, they also offer adapters so you can fit a variety of transfer cases. Their online catalog makes for entertaining reading. If Jeeps are your thing, log onto Novak Conversions' Web site. They offer gobs of information and a variety of parts to help you upgrade your Jeep's running gear.
Automatics
Model: Turbo-Hydramatic 350
Small, light, and easily adaptable.
Case material: Cast aluminum
Length (in): 21.75
Weight (lb): 120
Ratios: 1st 2.52:1, 2nd 1.52:1, 3rd 1.00:1
The good: Easy adaptability, strong front pump, input shaft, and drum
The bad: The intermediate sprag is weak, and when it fails, the transmission can lose Second gear
Model: Turbo-Hydramatic 400
Durable and rated at 450 lb-ft of input torque in stock form.
Case material: Cast aluminum
Length (in): 24.37
Weight (lb): 135
Ratios: 1st 2.48:1, 2nd 1.48:1, 3rd 1.00:1
The good: Like the TH350, the TH400 is easily adaptable to a number of engine/transfer-case combinations; it has a strong front pump, input shaft, and drum.
The bad: Like the TH350, the intermediate sprag is weak and can cause the trans to lose Second gear, and even Reverse when it fails.
Model: Turbo-Hydramatic 700R4
Could be the finest automatic overdrive trans ever produced.
Case material: Cast aluminum
Length (in): 23.4
Weight (lb): 155
Ratios: 1st 3.06:1, 2nd 1.63:1, 3rd 1.00:1, 4th 0.70:1
The good: The input shaft was especially stout. The pros say to purchase a later-model 700R4 because many internal parts were improved from their predecessors.
The bad: If the throttle cable isn't set up right, it can alter the transmission line pressure, which will result in an overall transmission failure.
Model: TorqueFlite 727
Plentiful and extremely durable (but Mopar and some Scout folks already knew that).
Case material: Cast aluminum
Length (in): 34
Weight (lb): 145
Ratios: 1st gear 2.45:1, 2nd gear 1.45:1, 3rd gear 1.00:1
The good: Transmission builders generally agree that the 727 is a tough trans overall. Back in the day, it was used in funny cars.
The bad: In stock form, the rear sprag can fail. When it does, the trans can literally grenade, causing catastrophic damage.
Model: Ford C6
Ford's durable success story.
Case material: Cast aluminum
Length (in): 33
Weight (lb): 160
Ratios: 1st gear 2.46:1, 2nd gear 1.46:1, 3rd gear 1.00:1
The good: High-horsepower capable-an overall workhorse.
The bad: A little porky weight-wise, and in stock form it robbed a lot of horsepower from the engine due to its thrust washers and overall heavy parts.