It depends on how you build both the transmission and the 383. My uncle has a fairly stout 383 stroker in his 69 El Camino with a powerglide transmission. The transmission used to be factory spec and it worked for a while. Then one day he punched it turning onto Military Rd and it disintegrated 2nd gear. He and my dad rebuilt it but I don't know the specifics, whether he went back to factory spec or improved to handle more torque

 

Generally its the clutches that fail in them. The hard parts are used over again in higher performance transmissions, so if the trans is healthy you should be fine.

 

If your not building a real torquer i suppose it would be ok but that all depends on the tiredness of the P / G. As a rule G / M always built the tranny for the car I/E a 69 chevelle with a 307 and 2bbl will have a 350 turbo. That same car with a 300 horse 350 will have a heavier duty 350 turbo with more clutches in it. IMHO your performance will be lackluster at best with the power glide. Find a good used 350 turbo get a Trans go stage 2 shift kit and go to a good tranny shop and have it built for heavy duty use "FUN" get a good converter per. camshaft used and the biggest tranny cooler you can stuff in there. Two things destroy hydramatic trannies ,Slippage and heat eliminate the two and they last a long time properly built. Hope this helps you .Alex

 

My good friend bought a 63 Chevy II Nova vert originally a 283 PG car, PO dropped a crate 350 in it, my friend is bored with the PG and going with an OD auto for the More Fun, Drive Anywhere Factor, get yourself a 3 or 4 spd auto

 

Thanks guys, not looking to race, just wanted to be sure it could handle a stroker...figured if I installed 350 or stroker, it would net a few more dollars than a 283....

 

I swapped out my 307 for a 383 around 4 years ago with a power glide behind. She last for probably about 6 months and then one day I went to launch and blew up second gear. Definitely will have to be easy on the fun pedal with that power glide!

 

350 th standard and 375 th heavier duty. Same for the th 400's.

 

Myself I'd put a TH350 in it. I hated the one vehicle I owned with PG. I was always waiting for it to shift again.

 

Just remembered there was a th 375B.

 

So what about a TH400, or these 4L60, 4L80 trannys?

 

TH400 should be able to handle a 383 just fine, the 4L80e also. The 4L60/700R4 is the successor to the Turbo 350 and about on par in terms of durability. Without knowing what your plans are for the 383 stroker I can't say what would be best. If you are doing a mild build, pump gas 383 then I'd say a Turbo 350 or 700R4/4L60/4L60E would be adequate. If you are doing a stout, special fuel blend 383 like my uncle's I'd say go with the TH400 or 4L80 or even an upgraded 700R4 or 200-4R

 

T400's a 3 speed, others are 4 spds 4L80 is a T400 with OD the 60 is not as strong as the others mentioned

 

IMHO and experience, you would be much happier with a TH350 or TH400

 

No Goofey TV cable to screw with either

 

A built 2004R is a good trans for all around driving, my next project for my car is a TCI 2004R rated for 700hp

 

Thanks guys!

 

For a small block I would go with a 700R4 or a 4L60 or 4L60E. Big block 4L80E. That's what is going in my car....one day.

 

short tail th350 bolts right in, using the same driveshaft. jim

 

You P/G in stock form will handle that 383 for about 2 weeks of pounding on the car, kind of like mine did when I put a 427 BBC in form of one. I got a week before my P/G burned up. My vote is for a good turbo 350 like others have said. The turbo 400 will be a lot stronger but you have to change driveshafts and move the crossmember to use it.