Drag Racing Online

I have a 1966 Nova drag car that weighs 2800 lbs. It has a 355 Chevy and a Ford 9-inch with a 4.86 gear. Last year I ran a best of 11.27 quarter mile at 119.7 mph with a Turbo 350 and a J.W. 9.5 inch coverter that I foot braked to 4600 stall.

I was told all year long to go to a Powerglide 1.76 with a trans brake, but I have heard a lot of different stories from different people that it may slow the car down while others say that it will pick the car up.

Before I go and waste the money to buy a glide, I would like to get someone’s opinion that might know for sure. I would appreciate any help you can give me.

Thanks,
Scott Shepherd

Scott,

It’s a tough question you asked, one to which there is no black and white answer. The pros and cons are:

The glide with a brake will alow you to get into the converter more (more stall)

The higher first gear ratio will definitely take some grunt to pull, but it sounds as if your engine combo has some of that.

In comparing the glide and the 350, the glide is much lighter rotating, like a lighter flywheel, which is less weight to get moving. BUT the 350 has more mechanical, 2.52 first gear.

Usually the glide wins this battle, but the converter and ring and pinion become much more important and must be right on the money with the two speed.

Ultimately, it’s the asphalt dyno that will tell the real story.

Mike Stewart

Hey Mike,

I'm running a 350 turbo behind a 502 rat with 3800 stall convertor and 3:73 rear. Last fall I blew the roller clutch up in it, so over the winter I rebuilt it with heavy duty racing clutches and steels and a TCI intermediate drum and sprag. It has a stock valve body with a TCI shift kit.

My question is, after all this work it shifts firm but it doesn't have the hit I expected it to have. Any info would be helpful.

Thanks,
Paul Wolfe

Paul,

Your 3800 stall torque converter is probably soaking up a little of your shift feel at low speed. Possibly a modulator adjustment may help. There is a small screw inside the modulator to adjust it. Just pull off the vaccuum hose, turn the screw clockwise to make shifts later and vice versa. Try about 3 turns at first. Usually, I like to go too far so that you can come back a little to where you like it.

Normally we would set up the transmission with a 5-pack in the high drum and we also would probably have used a 400 turbo instead of the 350. It's true the 400 soaks up a little more power, but the improved durability and longevity is well worth it. The 400 is a better investment behind a big inch motor.

Mike Stewart is owner of Mike’s Transmission in Lancaster, California. He will answer your questions about automatic or powerglide transmissions.

Email: Mike@racingnetsource.com

Mike Stewart