FI, Big Cubes and the Powerglide
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 596
Likes: 0
From: Downers Grove,IL
Toss it in the car Mike and let us know how you like it. Right now everybody is just going off of what we have all "heard" about heavy cars and a glide.
I have no idea really how it will "feel" on the street with such a low 1st gear. Kp probably knows better than most of us. I'm guessing it'll be pretty mushy until you get deep into the throttle. But that might help get the power to the ground also. Since you have it already, I say try it out. I sure would not waste any more time with a 4l60e. Mine for some reason just keeps on ticking. But once it's gone, it will be gone from the car for good.
Steve
I have no idea really how it will "feel" on the street with such a low 1st gear. Kp probably knows better than most of us. I'm guessing it'll be pretty mushy until you get deep into the throttle. But that might help get the power to the ground also. Since you have it already, I say try it out. I sure would not waste any more time with a 4l60e. Mine for some reason just keeps on ticking. But once it's gone, it will be gone from the car for good.
Steve
TECH Resident
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 868
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Black LS1 T/A
How do you think 600 RWHP and nearly 800 RWTQ will fare with a race-ready Powerglide w/transbrake (1.76 1st gear ratio) and 3.73's with 28x11.5x16 M/T ET Streets?
Originally Posted by S_J_H
Kevin, you totally lost me on your gearing calcs.
Final drive with 3.23 behind a th400 is 7.75 final gearing in 1st, and 4.52 in 2nd and 3.23 in 3rd when I hit the calc buttons
.
Final drive with 3.23 behind a th400 is 7.75 final gearing in 1st, and 4.52 in 2nd and 3.23 in 3rd when I hit the calc buttons
. Still would rather have a TH400 and a 3.23 then a 3.73 and a GV and a glide.. Isnt final gearing on a TH400/3.23 (2.48 1st, 1.48 2nd) more like 8.01, 4.78 and 3.23 though? PG+GV/3.73 would be 6.56, 3.73 and 2.91. Never was real good at math Actually a 3.08 with a TH400 would still be a better 1st gear then a PG/3.73..
And I have run powerglides in 3800+ pound cars with excellent results. But they were pretty stout 1000hp BBC nitrous cars. Couldnt imagine driving one around every day, the converter is going to be hanging at 3500rpm all the time and it will get real old real quick.
Just bolt it in. Main thing is get rid of the 4L60, even if the glide isnt perfect its cheap, should last a while if its done halfway right and the converter is cheap to restall - cant have any fun with the car if it doesnt move.
Last edited by kp; Sep 28, 2004 at 10:38 PM.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 596
Likes: 0
From: Downers Grove,IL
final gearing on a TH400/3.23 (2.48 1st, 1.48 2nd) more like 8.01, 4.78 and 3.23 though? PG+GV/3.73 would be 6.56, 3.73 and 2.91. Never was real good at math
Launching!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, Tx
Black Ls1.....I guess I'll be the one that comes in here and says that you will be happy with the glide. Why, because we run one in our 2002 SS and LOVE it. Streetablity??? Perfect.......we run a ~3500 convertor with a 3.50 gear at 3400-3500 pounds....depending on who is driving. Around town it feels great, and I think you will actually be alot faster with the glide on the street. The gearing will allow you to get into power alot faster, and you will hook alot better on marginal services. We can take our car to ANY track, almost ANY prep....and it runs 1.38 60's...all day long. I do all tuning and testing of the car on a concrete street next to the shop..........and I can hook 650rwhp pretty damn good 
I think the heavy car/powerglide myth came about when cars where rated at 300hp yet made 130rwhp.....in 4000 pound cars. With common street Ls1's making the power that race cars did in the 80's and 90's....we need to rethink the whole powerglide issue Give me a glide, and everyone else can have the traction problems and wheelie issues!
Chris
I think the heavy car/powerglide myth came about when cars where rated at 300hp yet made 130rwhp.....in 4000 pound cars. With common street Ls1's making the power that race cars did in the 80's and 90's....we need to rethink the whole powerglide issue
Give me a glide, and everyone else can have the traction problems and wheelie issues!Chris
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,341
Likes: 1
I wouldnt do it either. A friend of mine had a 3400 pound Chevelle with power similar to yours and he went through 4 glides before going TH400. Glides are great in cars under 3000 pounds but aren't ideal for heavier cars.
A well built powerglide will last a long time, even in a heavy car. If not anyone can rebuild one cheap. Biggest issue is heat from the constant converter slippage in 1st gear if you run a loose converter.
My old 283 63 chevy impala had a powerglide and a 3.08 gear and it drove fine, bet that baby made 120rwhp or so. So did my 64 bisqane (sp) with a 230 inch 6 cylinder..
Just put it in
Were you able to get the speedo working Chris?
My old 283 63 chevy impala had a powerglide and a 3.08 gear and it drove fine, bet that baby made 120rwhp or so. So did my 64 bisqane (sp) with a 230 inch 6 cylinder..
Just put it in
Were you able to get the speedo working Chris?
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Verdad Gallardo TECH Resident
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 868
Likes: 0
Black LS1 - Don't base your decision off of the popular vote on this site. Call a transmission builder or two, such as A1 (Marv) and Rossler (Karl) , and get their opinions. I am confident they will recommend a 3-speed auto.
BTW, I replaced the glide in my 2400 lb. Top Sportsman car with a Rossler T400, and picked-up 2/10 of a sec.
BTW, I replaced the glide in my 2400 lb. Top Sportsman car with a Rossler T400, and picked-up 2/10 of a sec.
