Need Some Powerglide Help Please
I want to be able to Swap to the powerglide to race with, and daily drive with a T56
Basically I am asking what should i look for, Any gear ratios, certian upgrades?
I would like to have a small stall and a trans-brake also and how much it would cost to do this, correctly.
The car wieghs 3200lbs 12 bolt with 4.11's and there is no torque arm
I would also love imput from peple that have done or are currently doing this
do a search under powerglide and next - that will give you plenty of info. i did the seatrch not long ago. unless you are PURELY doing bracket racing,. a small stall powerglide is a horrible idea.
Think about how slow a stock LS1 would be with a 2-speed compared to a T56. It would go from running low 13's in the 1/4 to running mid 14's, just because of the transmission. I can't see how thats any benefit.
If you want an automatic for consistant times, go with something like a built 4L60E. At least it won't make you car slow as molasses.
go talk to eric aka "next" about his 9.7 @ 132 stock bottom end ls1 camaro with a powerglide. same care went 9.1 @ 149 with a mild 408 on a big nitrous shot.
the key is enough converter and gearing. weight and tq are less of an issue. a 4800 stall and a 4.11/28" tire is about perfect.
go talk to eric aka "next" about his 9.7 @ 132 stock bottom end ls1 camaro with a powerglide. same care went 9.1 @ 149 with a mild 408 on a big nitrous shot.
the key is enough converter and gearing. weight and tq are less of an issue. a 4800 stall and a 4.11/28" tire is about perfect.
However, I can see how it could be made fast when you start modifying other components, such as the torque converter, rear end ratios, and adding drag slicks. I suppose with low (4.11) rear end ratios, slicks, and a high stall converter, you can really come off the line fast. After that point, I suppose the coverter keeps the engine on the boil and prevents it from bogging on the 1-2 shift. Interesting, but a completely impractical street car. My post was referring to using the car on the street, hence the reason I think you took it out of context.
One question though: In making a track-only automatic drag car, why would you want to go with a 2-speed powerglide over a built TH350?? Wouldn't the extra gear ratio be at least somewhat beneficial in the 1/4 mile?
However, I can see how it could be made fast when you start modifying other components, such as the torque converter, rear end ratios, and adding drag slicks. I suppose with low (4.11) rear end ratios, slicks, and a high stall converter, you can really come off the line fast. After that point, I suppose the coverter keeps the engine on the boil and prevents it from bogging on the 1-2 shift. Interesting, but a completely impractical street car. My post was referring to using the car on the street, hence the reason I think you took it out of context.
One question though: In making a track-only automatic drag car, why would you want to go with a 2-speed powerglide over a built TH350?? Wouldn't the extra gear ratio be at least somewhat beneficial in the 1/4 mile?
I love NEXT's car.... I have 10 videos of it, i didnt know it was a PG though... I dont mind swapping trannys either, i wont go to the track alot, and the car isnt my daily driver... just the fact that it can be
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Last edited by back4more; Mar 8, 2006 at 10:25 PM.
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as for streetability, no doubt its not friendly. they drive, just not as nice as a 3 speed. remember LOTS of cars had 2 speeds OEM. on the highway its NO different than a TH series combo.
for a stock car this is a non issue. nobody puts a PG in a stock ls1 lol
extremely low drivetran loss (similar to a t56)
big trap speed
weighs nothing
hammer out of the hole and hook every time
1K dollars builds you a tranny strong enough to hold a 9 second car easily. probably more depending on weight.
"Next" went 9.7 @ 132 on a sick 1.32 60' with 520 rwhp (sprayed to get that number) in his PG car.
extremely low drivetran loss (similar to a t56)
big trap speed
weighs nothing
hammer out of the hole and hook every time
1K dollars builds you a tranny strong enough to hold a 9 second car easily. probably more depending on weight.
If you get a converter with enough stall to keep the engine in its power band, and with the right gears, a powerglide could hoe a t-56.


