I talked to the company I am going to be buying the trans from, as well as the company that did my cam swap. They are both telling me I should go with a manual valvebody. I told them I only take the car to the track around 5 times a year, and do about 3000 street miles on average.
The transmission company said I am right on the edge in his opinion.. he said if I never went to the track and made about 25 less hp, he'd tell me to go with the manual/auto valvebody. But, he said that in my case, he'd recommend the manual valvebody. The price difference is negligible, so I doubt its just because he is trying to goose me on this one. He also said there are plenty of cars out there that see lots of street duty with a manual valvebody, and that I'd get used to it.
He also said (and I am by far not an expert here at all), but that with my car being so heavy, I stand some additional benefit from using one.
I know Tom uses the manual/auto and his car is about as heavy or a bit heavier than mine and makes a great deal more hp.
Anyone here running a manual valvebody on a car they drive on the street on a like, summer only, sunny day basis?
The trans guy also rec'd a converter flush and possibly replacing my trans cooler, converter flush I can understand, but how much gunk can get caught in the cooler? its just a little series of pipes right? you'd think metal flakes would just move through it...
Any anecdotal input would be great, or whatever you can think of..
550hp/550ft-lb 4000lb street/strip for fun..

thanks..

Matt

Matt,

With the trans problems I've had this year I would go with the recommendations your trans and cam guy are telling you. I've learned alot and the need of maintenence on my TH400 to keep it happy and healthy! Change and flush that system every year in your case. Keep fluid level accurate and use Redline synthetic or equivalent! With that much power I can see why they suggest a manuel valve body-much more efficient shifting! :cool:

I would like someone to explain why one valvebody is "stronger" or better than the other..Thanks

Tom I would like to know that as well.. The only explanation I got as to why it might be better was that a manual valve body has a higher line pressure to better lube the friction material and make for quicker shifts or whatever...
I am still sorta apprehensive about going to a manual VB as you seem to do just fine with the street/strip type.
If anyone can fill me (us) in..

Matt

Matt,

Thats it, that's what I was told as well..I remember now. My ATI did shift quicker and it had the Full Manual VB versus the Hughes with the auto/manual. In a video I took with an in-car camera you can hear the softer shift and it is the first thing I noticed when I put the ATI in in early July after running the Hughes for 3 1/2 seasons (Intermediate Sprag started failing).

The manual valve body probably shifts quicker due to the fact the modulator is not used.I for one,would not sacrifice full automatic abilites available with an auto/manual valve body no matter how much tq/hp my combo was making.
Obviously,the manual valve body didn't mean anything to Tom's combo,so the higher line pressure "benefit" has no value IMHO,and again,you have to shift the trans all the time.
I love the tranny/cam guys comment "you'll get used to it" :rolleyes:
I'm not saying manual valve bodies are bad,I just get "irked" when someone else tells you what you think you need when you all ready know what you need.

I have that hp and torque in my Camaro with an auto valve body TH400. I don't race it all the time but I sure do use it and abuse it. I have a custom built 10" 3500 stall converter and 355s. The guy that did my TH400 said no problem at that power level with a good drum and a heavy duty sprag. So far so good.

I believe B_B Mike runs a manual valve body on the street full time.
I run and prefer an auto/manual in my car...too lazy to shift while cruising.
Besides, it's fun to catch passing gear at about 40 mph. :eek:

I guess I didn't answer very well in my post?! An auto trans already uses up power right, so by making shifts more efficient you will save some of that power slippage! Straight cut gears also help but thats a whole other topic! Again with that much power why not use it to the ultimate with manual valve body. Yes, you can get away without manual. The higher line pressure helps with trans brake use. :cool:

I run a manual VB...with 4.56's and a 4700 stall, it just stays in third, maybe 2nd from a dead stop