I switched from a 4L60E to a PowerGlide. I still have the same cam, same heads same everything. All we done was added a 4-Bolt main setup and new rings. The best the car ran was 11.26, today 11.02. The rings still have not seated yet, each pass was getting quicker. Also gained 3 mph as well, it's trapping almost 123mph. First pass was 11.08, 11.06 11.02.

Honestly I thought I was going to loose a lot more or at least stay the same. 60' were up just a little, Today's best was 1.57, I use to 60' in the low 1.5's to high 1.4's.

I'm running an 1.76 ATI Powerglide and one of there MRT 8" Converter, 4500 Stall. Once we get the rings seated and switch over to the good oil it should pick up just a little more, Maybe see that 10.99 pass.

 

Boy that's great news. Footbrake or transbrake? Same rear gears and tires?
Race weight?

I've been thinking that when my 4l60e goes out that I'd like to go powerglide in my 00 bracket Formula.

 

Very interesting! It must be very efficient along with it weighing a few pounds less. Are you max out on rear gear or do you have about 500rpm left? Goodluck on the 10.XXX passes!

 

what does the car weigh? did you gear it up?

 

Same gear 4.10's same tires 28", race weight is less then last year, I think there is about 50lbs different between the tranny's. The last time it was weighed it was at 3340, so the weight is about 3290 or lower, I lost a few pounds myself.

So far that's just foot breaking it, have yet to use the transbrake.

 

Congratulations, you've improved your combination! It is likely that you have essentially applied a band-aid to some problem or another that was affecting your performance with the original transmission. It might have been a traction probem with the 3.06 low gear, it might have been an internal drag problem with the 4L60E, it might have been with sloppy internal shifts and the 8" converter isn't hurting anything.

Multiple back-to-back tests of comparably prepped, 2.08 low-geared Powerglides to prepped 2.75 low-geared TM200 transmissions using the same converter in Stock Eliminator cars shows that the 3-speed gains as much as .15 in the quarter mile and, in one instance, an improvement in 60' times from 1.55 to 1.45.

 

Nice results, Iv'e always heard that powerglides were for light weight cars.

 

What is your trap RPM now with the Glide, 28" and 4.10s? Also, before with the 4L60E?

WD

 

Before the glide RPM Traps were in the 6400 range, now I really don't know.
I was logging the last run and the rotor inside the opti decided it did not need the brass piece anymore. I'm shifting around 6800-6900 range.

The 4L60E actually got freshend up last year and the ET improved grately through the summertime, improved .1 to .15. Summer time ET's were in the 11.40's. The 3.06 was bruttal on a marginal track, it would hook or slip alot, thus the erratic 60' times.

I know there has been alot of arguments about the 3-speed versus the powerglide. And truthfully I was going to accept a slower time if it improved my 60' times being consistent. So far I'm pleased with the results.

 

Ken,

Are you coming down to OKC for the two day CDRA race the end of March? I plan to run both days, No-E.

Also, I'm thinking about going to 4.30s along with my 28" slicks and 4L60E. Do you think that will be too low?

WD

 

I love my PG. You give up the increased torque multiplication with a 1.76 first gear so your 60' times will be slower but with a high stall converter, you can get into high gear quicker then make the rest of the run as a high gear, brute HP pull to the finish. The PG eats less HP and shaves some weight off the car.

I've run 9.75 in the 1/4. I shift from low to high about 2.5 to 3 seconds off the line. My converter stalls at 6000 and the rpms don't drop below that all the way down the track. I shift at 6800 and cross the finish around 7200.

I think you can get away with a bit more gear. 4.30 or 4.56 gears will help you get off the line quicker and since you're crossing the finish below what you're shifting at, you have more rpm range to play with.

 

The 31st is our first Bracket Race of the season. I'm sure that I will see you at MAD Raceway (CDRA) or maybe even at Tulsa for the Team CDRA Finals.

4.30's should be fine, that would be my next gear of choice.

 

Stephen - Thanks for the pointer, going have to try to do that at the next TnT. I will need to log more of my runs via laptop so I can have accurate information. Toying around the idea of getting a data recorder as well.

 

Good info Ken, I have also been toying with the idea of going powerglide maybe later this year. I should have mine out in the next couple weeks with the new combo. Later Clint

 

Good deal, looking forward to see the results.

Got another rotor for it and it started up last night.