Manual trans swaps: Cheapest vs Easiest vs Best Performing vs Best Driving Experience
Awesome information, guys.
Sounds like you've been down this road before. :) Which A833 is going in the '67?
I'm starting to like this A833 route. First, I spent a good chunk of cash upgrading to an aluminum shaft two years back. I'd love to be able to keep that and not have to have it modified. I also like the idea that the car might drive more like it would have if it was hot-rodded in the 1970s. Don't get me wrong, I love the Tremec 6 speeds that I've driven but it's a distinctly more modern experience than what would fit with the rest of my build.
So I am running the stock 904 (with some internal upgrades)...which versions of the A833 would have the same spline count?
Down the road, I plan to swap in a stroker small block...so I may end up with 450-500hp. Are there versions of the A833 that wouldn't be up to the task? I gather that that the mid 1960s versions may be weaker.
How much weight does the aluminum case version save?
I have a 2009 Challenger R/T with the 6 speed, and I like it, but I love the feel of solidness and simplicity of the 66 Barracuda 4 speed and 64 Hurst shifter. I'm not sure yet what will go in the 67 Barracuda. I have an all aluminum case Passon O/D, and the 67 has an 8 3/4 rear so I can easily change gearing so I'm thinking of starting with 3.55 gears with a sure Grip. That will give me a 3.55 x .8 = 2.84 highway gear. We always ran 2.76 gears on long trips so I'm thinking that will be pretty good. I've had 4.10 gears in a 64 Barracuda with a 273 and could spin the tires through 1st and second. A little too much gear for me on the street.
If you want to use your drive shaft, as is, the 66 and 67 A body 4 speed will work. The O/D has a 26 spline output version that will also match up. Both are strong enough until you run a hot big block or stroker. Ma MOPAR switched to an 18 spline input shaft around 500 ft lb of torque. Of course 30 spline main shafts are stronger that 26 spline mainshafts, but they are the same up to the speedometer splines. You could change to a 30 spline front yoke on the drive shaft and run the 68-74 A body A833 and 30 spline output A/F body O/D trans.
I use the 26 spline O/D in the 66 Formula S with 3.91 Sure grip. I also have the original 66 26 spline 4 speed and 3.23 gears. The 67 Barracuda will start with the 30 spline output mainshaft and the 18 spline input with 7290 U-Joints because I'm hoping to put a 1957 341 Desoto Hemi in it. If the Hemi doesn't work the 67 will get a solid lifter 340.
In general A833 4 speeds are very strong and the gears are high quality. Early seems stronger than late. 450-500 hp should not be a problem. Weight is a factor, intended usage, drag slicks. I feel Aluminum cases are not as strong as cast iron so I usually convert my O/D transmissions to a standard cast iron main case. This also allows me to swap back and forth to my standard A body bellhousing.
Cast iron 68 main case: 34.8 lb
Passon Performance Aluminum main case: 15.4 lb
Cast iron 68 A tail housing: 18.4 lb
Direct Connection Aluminum tail housing: 8.4 lb
