The A500 and A518 are interchangeable as far as bolting up to the engine,
balancing characteristics being different between the 318/360 is the only
watch-out in that respect. What I really need to know is due to the fact
that I have 4WD, the physical dimensions between the two is crucial. Back
when I used to drag race my Duster, I got tired of rebuilding my 904 every 6
months, so I rebuilt a 727 and stuck it in. In that case, the 727 was about
5.25" longer, so I just had the drive shaft shortened. If the A518 is
similarly longer than the A500, the idea of swapping is moot due to the fact
that I'm not gonna change my entire 4WD system to accommodate it. But if
there is a length difference and it's taken up with the trans to
transfercase adapter, then I could still do the swap. 1/4 mile times are not
important, I know the A500's have a deeper first gear than the A518, but I'm
willing to trade that for the most strength I can get. If it comes down to
it and I can't do the A518 (46RE), I guess I'll just tear into a 44RE and do
some of my TH350 tricks to it, like machine down the clutch servos to allow
the installation of extra frictions and steels and so on. I have a TH350 in
my Pro Streeter sitting behind a 590HP 496BBC, and it's working like a charm
with only a once a year freshen-up. Again, thanks for any info.
Mark
""mrdancer"" <mrdancer2@home.your.underwear.com> wrote in message
news:9umq6c$l4q$1@bent.twistedbits.net...
> The A500 is basically the old A904 tranny, whereas the A518 is basically
teh
> old A727 tranny. That being said, the A518 is a heavier-duty tranny, but
> the A500 should be quicker in the quarter-mile, if that's of any interest
to
> you.
>
> In later years, these trannies were renamed 4xRH (H for
> hydraulically-controlled shifts), then later renamed 4xRE (E for
> electrically-controlled shifts). The higher the x in 4x RE, the stronger
> the tranny. So, in the big RAM trucks, you will see higher numbers than
in
> the Dakota.
>
> At any rate, all small-block (currently the 5.2L and 5.9L engines - for
some
> reason, the V10 is considered a big-block, even though it is based on the
> small-block, not sure what the V6 is considered, but I would think it
would
> bolt up also, as it is based on the small-block) auto trannys are
> interchangeable. Note that the 360 (5.9L) is externally balanced, and may
> require a different torque converter if swapping between a 5.9L and a
5.2L.
>
> Also keep in mind that a professionally-installed high-quality shift kit
> will probably make your A500 tranny stronger than the strongest 5.9L
tranny
> currently available. This is because the factory makes their auto
trannies
> shift softly to appease brain-dead owners and soccer moms, and soft shifts
> really weaken an automatic transmission. A good shift kit will give you
> hard, abrupt shifts, and contrary to your gut feeling, will actually
greatly
> strengthen your tranny and increase its lifespan (although you may go
> through U-joints a little quicker). Of course, a 46RE w/ shift kit will
be
> stronger than a 42RE w/ shift kit.
>
> --
> Remove .your.underwear to reply
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