Yes indeed.... The 500 and 518 seem to get quite a bit of attention. I have actually done this conversion in my 1964 Valiant Conv. I had installed a 94 Dodge Ram drivetrain in my car. I used all the factory electronics, utilizing the cruise control, the 518 lock up trans., as well as the A/C. I ran my car like this for 6 or 7 years. It worked very well, and never set off any trouble codes.
This setup did have somewhat of an issue. Although I tried several solutions, the car ran fine, but did not have the acceleration that I thought it should. It felt like I had a trailer hitched to the back of my car. I tried so many things to fix it. I installed a VIPER ( that is the brand name) expensive torque converter.... MP shift kit, new 3.91 rear end.... TTI headers and full 3" exhaust, different injectors, different ECU. Still if felt slow to accelerate.
I wanted to keep the OD.... Since that was very helpful in running the car down the road at 80 MPH. After shaking my head for far too long, thinking maybe i was down on POWER, I reluctantly pulled out the Magnum engine, and replaced it will a 340 I had from another car. This engine had run 11's in the quarter mile.
I thought " now this thing will run like I expect".... Oh boy!!!
Although I certainly could feel the difference in power.... It was so much better.... But still, not impressive. It STILL felt as if I was towing a trailer. Needless to say, I was totally pissed!! I had just done the 6 speed conversion on my 69 Cuda.... I had pulled the 727 out.. It was on the floor..... You guessed it!!! I once again, reluctantly pulled the 518 out of my Valiant, and put the 727 in its place.
OH MY!!! This little car was not even in the same universe, performance wise.
Although I have not run it down the track, it is easily in the 11's. I would say the transmission was slowing the car 2.5 to 3 seconds easily!!
So that is why I steer people away from the 500 and 518. I did it... I lived it... I learned.
This car is a complete blast to drive now.... But wait.... Now I have a difficult time cruising at much more than 55 MPH.
The 518/500 have a .69 overdrive and mine had the functional lock up.... And that was good on the highway.... But the 6 speed conversion has a better gear ratio all around.
I have a gear ratio chart that I will try to post here to give people a better idea... But in the 69, the .63 OD in the MAGNUM T-56 is fantastic!!
I later talked to several BIG NAME transmission shops about the 518/500. They say that the overdrive that chrysler used on the back of the 727/904 to create these 518/500 trannies was really the cause. How so?? The reciprocating mass. 727/904 has around 5 lbs of it.... The 518/500 about 30 lbs. !!!! They told me if I wanted to have any performance at all.... I would need to get rid of the 518.
If there are any questions about this, please let me know.... I would never use a 518/500 in one of my cars again....EVER!! Hahaha. Thanks for listening!!
Rant over.... Todd
