i'm in the process of changing from a 4 speed to a turbo 400, and a friend of mine has donated (sold) me his built up turbo 400 with a reverse man valve body, and a winters racing shifter. i just found out that you are not supposed to downshift a reverse pattern body , but you can a forward body. is this true? seems like it would be a drag to not be able to downshift if needed. anyone who knows please reply. thanks ray

I know on mine it don't down shift.I would like to hear more on this myself.

bill

I've never heard that. I have the same setup on my Camaro. Not street driven a lot, but I downshift as necessary. Tranny is fine so far. Hardest thing for me is remembering what gear I'm in at a stop. If it's in 2nd or 3rd when you leave, I hear it will burn up the clutches. I launched at the track in 2nd a couple of times when I first got the car. Didn't mess it up - maybe I'm just lucky.

I run a T-brake in my 400 (reverse manuel) on the street all the time. I down shift it when it needs it. I think it is the TH-350 that have some issues with a t-brake or manuel valve body??

One thing that through me off was there is no engine brakeing in 1st or 2nd gears, just 3rd. You let off in the first two and it just goes back to idle and free wheels.

One thing manuel valve bodies get rid of the vacum modulator, so the line pressure is always high, i think my dyno sheet with the trans said like 220psi. Anytime above 3000 rpm chirps tires with a 4500 stall, i don't mind though. Mine is hard to keep cool to, have the biggest cooler B&M makes and run synthetic trick shift. Gets to 200 in the summer.

That's a race piece for sure, nor intended to see lots of street driving. Been there, done that with a T350 rev valve body. No engine braking, harsh shifting with full line pressure at all times. If you spend most of your time at the track, cool.

The harsh shifting is usually caused by the converter.
I was told by JW Transmissions that the increased line pressue is actually better for the transmission.
I run a rev manual with no problems.

I downshift mine when the rpms get low, if you down shift you have to rev it to take hold cuz its free wheeling as soon as you let off it. I don't pull mine back down into first unless I stop, I don't nail it at low rpms in second either, don't need any more transmission problems :)

I have had a manual reverse valve body in my streetrod for over 15 years without having any trouble.The 38 Chevy has a 454 with a Turbo 400. The converter is a TCI 2500 stall.The rear is from a 1970 Camaro 12 bolt posi with 355 gears. I have driven this car everywhere.There is no holdback in 2nd gear.I really don't care for that.Downshifting is harsh so I don't do it until I come to a stop.As far as high pressures and heat,It hasn't bothered my car.

Well that tells me mine must have a problem? I have downshifted it but don't feel a noticeable difference or a strong pull down.BILL

The intermediate band is normally removed with a full manual valve body. Without the band there is no way to slow the drum down (and the weight of the drum is pretty significant). If you down shift from 3rd to 2nd at a high RPM you will roll the sprag over. Ask me how I know :( There is something called an auto/manual valve body that retains the intermediate band and would probably be more desirable for street driving. Maybe Tom Baird will chine in. I believe he's running one of these on his Monte.

ken, thats exactly what the local trans builder told me. ken what do you do if you are cruising along in 3rd gear and someone wants to get you worked up? can't downshift, sounds like a drag.

you guys have me totaly confused now. i have a turbo 400 that i was going to have a trans brake put in along with a good rebuild. the road plan was to be able to pull the front wheels at least 10 inches. thats my goal to pull the front tires, period.... i am installing a 468 roller motor with this turbo 400, 3600 stall converter, 12 bolt posi with 4.11. 90/10 shocks in front 50/50 in rear, moroso trick front springs. what else do i need???will the trans brake help me accomplish the mission??car is a 69 chevelle.

mr68'.......
You may think your want a trans break. You do not need a trans break. What you will need is a suspension that will work for the track, hook the power to the ground on a consistant basis. Building the power is the easy part. Tuning the car to the track is a different critter...............The only thing a transbrake is good for is a crutch for **** poor reaction times :)