Thinking about going 5.9
Thanks for responding. Was thinking about a gearvendors overdrive, but if I can do the same thing using a 500 and keep my floor and torsion bars, I'll do that.
One thing about a Gear Vendors is they can take a LOT of power through them, but in my case I don't need my OD to be able to handle 600hp or anything close to it.
I don't lay into it on engagement, but I have run WOT while in OD without any problems.
In my case a GV overdrive costs about what I have into my entire 5.9 and A500 buildup and swap.
Since my rear gears are pretty high (2.73) and OD comes on at 55mph when in automatic mode, I only have about 25mph or so until I am going over the speed limit enough to get a ticket, so usually when I am OD the engine is only running at 1,800 or so and I am doing 65mph. (our normal non Interstate speed limit)
Under these circumstances I only consider or use lockup for MPG cruising out on the open hiways above 75mph.
Lockup converters are not real strong in the upper horse powers holding dept, but if I had to guess I would say I have put over 300hp through it without a problem.
One thing nice about a built into the trans OD is that the trans runs cooler when in OD and especially when in lockup with zero converter slip.
I can watch my engine temps drop almost 10 degrees after going into OD and lockup.
Right at this point in things I am really looking forward to getting some lower gears and a locker rear.
Lower rear gears along with the A500's low first should be a rocket off the line in town, and still keep my RPM's under 2,500 on the hiway.
Whatever decision you make it's all good, pretty much no matter how you look at it.:D
