318/8 Speed Swap

DionR said

Any progress on any of this?

I tripped over an outfit in Australia that is outfitting the 8HP's with a virtual clutch that locks up the TC and engages or disengages internal clutches progressively just like a real clutch. Looks pretty cool.

Also found out that the SGE kit allows for a Sport and Track mode shift schedule with the flip of a switch. That was new info to me.

Really makes me want to put an 8HP70 behind my 5.7 (or even better, a 6.4) and set it up for a drag and drive event. I could even see leaving the MDS in it and use an OEM PCM so that sport/track mode could disable it, but I could cruise the highway with it in use. Only real hang up is how to get cruise control to work through the PCM.

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Believe me, they are worth it for so many reasons, especially behind a 5.7.. stays in the sweet spot longer, better fuel economy and something that I really see anyone talk about is braking. I noticed a huge change in deceleration with my A100. These things just downshift and slow down so well.. especially if you command it. If i tap the accelerator as I go to slow down, that commands it to drop a gear and I am able to come to a stop, quite a bit faster. sometimes it can be pretty drastic, so I only do it as needed. But besides that, the normal downshift is smooth and it downshifts several times as you come to a stop. It's pretty sweet.

I'm not putting one behind my 392 swap this year because it will blow my winter project timeline and budget outta the water. I'm just afraid that the floor cutting, tunnel building, replacing the (new) carpet, finding bucket seats (in Buckskin) and a console that needs to be modded will push me beyond the April timeline that I like to go by.. not to mention the budget!. I try to be done in April with stuff because I want to drive in May. I'll be patient this summer and keep an eye out for things I need for next winters project.. or maybe the year after that. No rush. I'm trying to enjoy my builds and not let them stress me out or turn into 5 year project that just sits.