Technical Best bang for the buck automatic transmissions -Ford,Chevy, etc.

I have used the old Chevy power glide in the past but prefer the 3 speed turbo 350 which has been my go to when using a sbc, I have also used the Ford C-4 automatic transmission when using a sbf.

What automatic transmissions do you guys use? HRP

 

depends on the application.

 

Jim, I should have said for a driver, ether a hot rod or a custom.

I know for a performance car, not unlike your Chevy II a beefier transmission would be preferred. HRP

 

C6. Alto red clutch bands, Transgo shift kit, R code servo with the E apply lever, 2800 stall converter and of co**** type F trans fluid. I've been beating the hell out of this trans for 4 years now at the drag strip and street. I drained the fluid this fall and truthfully I could have put it back in, it was that clean. Pretty good transmissions in my opinion.

 

Mopar I use the 727 trans and on my 40 Ford I used a 400 turbo trans on my 392 hemi for a shorter tail shaft to fit my frame. I guess for me it depends on the application it is for.

 

Danny, I used a 700R and those damn things are expensive to rebuild, I will go with a 350 in my next build if I use a chevy engine.

 

Too many variables to give a meaningful answer. If you're running a SBC or SBF a TH350 and C4 will be the lowest-cost choices. If you're using a 'vintage' motor and have to use adaptors and custom parts, very hard to say. And at some point the older non-OD trans will start to dry up as rebuildable cores get used up. I can't say I've been overly impressed with the automatic overdrives I've been around.

Personally, I'm trying to move away from automatics as automatic costs are starting to approach manuals.

 

I would think that Turbo 350’s should be plentiful with the popularity of the newer overdrives, used on the freeway flyers!

 

I realize that everyone doesn't want a automatic transmission but some of us haven't been easy on our body's and suffer from bad hips to missing limb's, In my case a sever accident on a old Harley accounts for a fused ankle and a arthritic clutch hip and leg.

I can still manage to drive Brenda's wagon but there is no way I could handle a clutch in the tight confines of my old beater. HRP

 

In a chevy powered car I like a 400 turbo but a 350 turbo will work in a pinch.

If we are talking cost it has been a while but last time I checked the MOPAR 727 was the cheapest to rebuild and cores were fairly cheap. Actually was a time that the adapter for that ****** behind a baby hemi was the cheapest way to go too.

I like a C6 in a Ford but if I was thinking about weight and exterior size the C4 is about the lightest and smallest of the slush boxes from the era that we shoot for. *With the removable bell they are probably the most adaptable.

*my brain says that I may be mistaken about the bell.

 

My all time favorite is the 57 to 64 Pontiac Super Hydra matic with a 3:08 rear end.. Next is the Turbo 400. I've installed a 2.75 first gear set to one in a 64 Bonneville with a 462 and 2.56 rear end gears. Wow did that car fly!! No trouble hitting 140 to 160. I did some major suspension work..

 

I get that; I've got a pair of bad knees, and there's times driving my manual cars is a real chore. Take the GFs Honda on those days... LOL.

It's really a shame that the BW T85/86 OD trans have gone obsolete as those were a nearly perfect 'cruising' transmission as long as you didn't abuse them. With the governor automatically shifting in and out of OD based on speed, not much actual manual shifting was required.

The C6 is a nearly bulletproof box, but it's high internal drag is a mileage killer. The C4 is the only 'modern' trans with a removable bell that I'm aware of.

 

The modern GM automatics started getting removable bellhousings in the late 90s.

The TH350 has given the most bang for the buck for a long time....just make sure you pick up a couple of cores if you're going to rebuild one, the hard parts wear out.

 

Thanks I mentioned the bell then my brain said "Nope ". LOL

The C6 if the Ford version of the T400 as far as being a parasite is concerned. Not a problem if you find one in good shape and are throwing a lot of meat at it.

The C4 if you want to invest has good aftermarket support if you want to build it tough. Maybe I am not as traditional in that aspect of my life but I like good aftermarket support.

 

I’ve had great luck with the C-6 Ford, I have one behind a 351 in an O/T Econoline. It has towed all kinds of stuff and never gives trouble. When I bracket raced, I had a great 400 Turbo with a manual valve body that gave great service as well.


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I have had good luck with buying a junkyard AOD for my Ford projects. If the fluid smells good then get a B&M shift kit and 2200 rpm stall convertor. A Lokar cable and you are ready.
My little pro street Morris took 3 years of thrashing and the next owner sprayed nitrous trying to kill it.
My favorite GM is the old turbo 400. Rebuild it with good red clutches stick a trans brake in it with one of Allen Pope's convertors and put it behind an alky injected big block and get over 500 p***es out of it. Some with a 300 fogger added on .

 

whatevers laying around the shop
all the major 3spds are good
as far as an OD, 200r
I have had good c4s and 6s
love the th400 except for shifting too soon out of 1st
a 350c with the lockup is kinda cool
iv always wanted a 4spd hydro
I hate PGs on the street

 

I don't like automatics. Lippy

 

Automatics.....pfft.
If I ever get this thing together and I can't operate the clutch I'm gonna hire some kid to drive me around.

 

The question wasn't wither you like automatic transmissions or not but the best one for the money spent. HRP

 

Danny, I've used th350s for many years without MAJOR issues but now I'm looking at the 200r4? I think it's called, for the low 1st gear and overdrive. It seems to be a somewhat easy swap. The mountains are dictating a change of something and I think the trans is it. Ive always felt that hot rods needed 3 pedals but age sometimes trumps comon sense. I know this is probably not the answer you're look in for but......Mitch

 

Like hotrod primer says it is not do you like automatics or not . Supposed you had a bad car wreck and lost your left leg and had to go to an automatic. Which one would feel less emasculated driving.
Hell I used to drive an O/T Nova that ran 8 second 1/4 miles with a turbo 400 with a trans brake and it was easier to drive than my 4 speed SEGA super stock Comet. Would I put an automatic in my Comet ? No I wouldn't because that is part of the fun and challenge of driving it . Just staging it using the clutch and the gas pedal and the line lock all at the same time is difficult. Then remembering to let go of the line lock ****on as you let the clutch out and mat the gas pedal and shift less than 2 seconds into the run.
Don't be a politician . Just answer the question WHICH AUOMATIC DO YOU LIKE BEST.

 

Turbo 350 for me, but gettin hard to find as last year was 1984, if I find em I buy em That a 36 year old ******.

 

I look for people selling 305's they often have a 700r4 for sale also, Have picked up 2 for $50 each.
Hard to beat for $ spent.

 

Racing it is not likely you are going to out shift a built automatic unless you are Ronnie Sox.
I loved to watch that guy race. Poetry pure poetry.

My legs have been bad for 65.5 years and I sometimes use that as an excuse to drive an automatic but clutches (hot street anyway) are not what they used to be and even with my crippled old legs (way worse now than 30 years ago) I can get around the clutch problem.

@southcross2631
All that said you are correct, the question is about automatic transmissions not what anyone thinks is a real hotrod.

 

Maybe the optimal wording should have been the most economical transmission, I know the 350 turbos are a reliable. HRP

 

Well, I'll throw the TorqueFlites in the mix but, like some others, they are getting old and not as easy to buy cheap cores. Downside is that they are not real compact. They have less internal drag than many others and they are generally cheaper to rebuild. How many others have a '****on drive to show off...?

.

 

I've been envolved with changing from a 350 to a 700r more than once. Why ?????
Just because it was the talk of the month. I'd not change out a 350 for a 700 period. The few dollars you might! Save in gas would never pay for the expense. That's just an opinion.

 

Last 40yrs aluminum powerglides have been my go to transmissions. I've used all shapes and sizes, long and short, with and without torque converters. Less weight, less hp loss and pretty much bullet proof.

 

I have a Ford AOD with a shift kit behind a mild 302. With a 3.89 rear end keeps RPM around 2100 at interstate speeds but still allows good performance on street.