Clipper transmission upgrade

[bkd148]

Did or does Chrysler make an overdrive transmission that will bolt up to and work on a 360cid. motor without being computer operated? Similar to putting a 700r4 behind small and big block Chevy's. I really would like to get better fuel economy. Thanks, Marty

[pop427]

We went through this a while back. The short answer is if you take a motor that is configured to make max torque at 3,000 RPM and slow it down to 2,400 RPM it will not have near the power it needs to do the job.
The motor must be configured ie: camshaft duration and timing, fuel management etc. Short of doing everything the correct way it will never pay back the costs.
Just slow down to about 55 mph from 65 will give you a bigger mileage increase than a overdrive.

Been there, done that and have the tee shirt.

Doug in Big Ditch aka Arroyo Grande, Ca.

[bkd148]

I did a little research on my own. It seems that Chrysler made a A-518 transmission from 1990 to 1995 that is basicly a 727 with an overdrive in the tailhousing. Those particular years it was an electric overdrive and lock up converter (not computer operated). They were installed in Dodge vans, Dakoda, Ramcharger and two wheel drive pickim up trucks 1/2 to 1 ton. All with either a 318 or 360cid motors. According to online info it's a do-able thing and not hard to do with a little crossmember altering. Now I just have to find one. Marty

[pop427]

Be sure you use a 360 converter and not a 318 with your 360. Chrysler converters are balanced to the crankshaft. My converter book shows 11 different converters. Look at the balance weights on yours and be sure and match it up. 99 % of all the balance problems I have seen are from the converter.

Doug in Big Ditch

[bkd148]

Thank you Doug, thats good to know. I kinda dought it's a project I'll do unless I stumble onto an A-518 for a real good price. You can't buy a lot of gas for the money in just a 10-15% possible increase in fuel economy. Marty

[Horst]

Like pop said, you're looking at a pretty tricky job for "questionable" return.
Just as an example, I too have the 360, and kept really anal mileage logs back when we were taking lots of trips.
Now I did switch "fuel" management over to Edelbrock (4bbl carb, intake manifold, etc.) and put on Flowmasters, but for me, at 65mph, I get about 7.5mpg, and the Clipper does NOT like it. At 55mph, I get 9.5mpg, and the Clipper is happy.
I once got 10.4mpg doing 52mph on Highway 5 on the way to LA....was driving in the middle of the night, cool air, no wind, no traffic.......sweet!
If you're going to be driving that Clipper a LOT (15,000+miles/year) AND you plan on doing that for a few years, AND gas does indeed climb to $5/gallon........I would seriously consider a Gear Vendors unit first.........it would pay for itself fairly quickly.