632ci engine installation in 78 camaro
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From: troy NH
well on mine i have stage 2 shift kit ,that shifts at stall speed ,so i can choose to shift or not ,i have an Automatic manual an 2 years now has worked great ,that gives one a choise to shift or not ,an of you forget it just has to go up to stall speed to shift like 2600 rpm on mine it seems to like it better when i shift that is my 10 bolt rearend thats holding up pretty good but you will chirp al the gear with no problem ,sometimes i thiink about haveing 4th gear ,but its just not for that car so far ,not raceing so its fine ,with thoughts of ls1 car on the bucket list
Last edited by 95 camaro 406; Dec 12, 2016 at 11:44 AM.
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1) Depends on whether you enjoy shifting all the time, or occasionally want the car to shift itself? If you want a break from shifting, I'd get the standard valve body so you can choose.
2) Again, this depends on your stance, and driving habits. If it sits low, and you go fast over speed bumps, or uneven driveways, you're going to possibly hit. But you can fabricate a "skid plate" on each crossmember inline with the trans pan, which would hit before the pan and protect it.
2) Again, this depends on your stance, and driving habits. If it sits low, and you go fast over speed bumps, or uneven driveways, you're going to possibly hit. But you can fabricate a "skid plate" on each crossmember inline with the trans pan, which would hit before the pan and protect it.
Hi BB427,
1) I never had or drove an A/M transmission car so I cannot tell the difference. Always manual cars. Even my 85 Camaro is a 5 speed manual. So the standard valve body you can manual change the gears while driving i.e. 1st, 2nd, 3rd back to 2nd and 3rd etc etc? And how to make it drive automatic then?
2) Stance:- The car should be 2 inches lower than normal ride height. Driving over speed bumps is low speed. Thanks for the idea about the skid plate. What is the advantage of a deep pan than?
Thanks
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2nd Gear member
Joined: Nov 2013
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well on mine i have stage 2 shift kit ,that shifts at stall speed ,so i can choose to shift or not ,i have an Automatic manual an 2 years now has worked great ,that gives one a choise to shift or not ,an of you forget it just has to go up to stall speed to shift like 2600 rpm on mine it seems to like it better when i shift that is my 10 bolt rearend thats holding up pretty good but you will chirp al the gear with no problem ,sometimes i thiink about haveing 4th gear ,but its just not for that car so far ,not raceing so its fine ,with thoughts of ls1 car on the bucket list
My engine builder Tom Nelson recommended a torque convertor of 3000 rpm for the engine I am getting.
So if I understood you right, you have an automatic transmission with a manual valve body which will shift automatic at 2800 rpm? Is it a TH400? What valve body brand name?
Thanks
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Hello friends. Time is passing by and I have some more news and updates related to my 78 Camaro project.
The car is almost ready from the sheet metal shop. All the rust has been cut and all dents has been rectified. Now is in the stage of getting the door gaps and front fairing gaps just right and parallel. They are doing a great job. I will post some pictures of the car later on. Soon I should have the car back in my garage.
Engine......... The time I have been waiting and working for the last 6 years had finally came true. I finalised my engine package and placed my ordered for the engine from Tom Nelson Racing Engines. It is the 572 Hot Rod Nitros Series. Now counting down the days for the final build date..... less than 9 months.
Transmission package is getting there also. Few more things to finalise and will place the order. Do not know if I should go for a new Reid case or a heavy duty truck case. Reid costs 1800 more. Trans builder told me that the HD truck case should handle the 1000 Hp.
Do not know what colour should I paint the engine. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.
Rear tubs.... Waiting for the DSE mini tub to arrive from USA. Once arrive will get the sheet metal shop to install the DSE mini tub kit to accommodate the 335/30/18. If I am lucky and I receive the kit now, I will install them while the car is in the sheet metal shop. If not, I have to wait for my turn again..... probably 6 months or more.....
The car is almost ready from the sheet metal shop. All the rust has been cut and all dents has been rectified. Now is in the stage of getting the door gaps and front fairing gaps just right and parallel. They are doing a great job. I will post some pictures of the car later on. Soon I should have the car back in my garage.
Engine......... The time I have been waiting and working for the last 6 years had finally came true. I finalised my engine package and placed my ordered for the engine from Tom Nelson Racing Engines. It is the 572 Hot Rod Nitros Series. Now counting down the days for the final build date..... less than 9 months.
Transmission package is getting there also. Few more things to finalise and will place the order. Do not know if I should go for a new Reid case or a heavy duty truck case. Reid costs 1800 more. Trans builder told me that the HD truck case should handle the 1000 Hp.
Do not know what colour should I paint the engine. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.
Rear tubs.... Waiting for the DSE mini tub to arrive from USA. Once arrive will get the sheet metal shop to install the DSE mini tub kit to accommodate the 335/30/18. If I am lucky and I receive the kit now, I will install them while the car is in the sheet metal shop. If not, I have to wait for my turn again..... probably 6 months or more.....
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If you want your TH400 or TH350 to shift by itself, you simply leave it in "D" Drive. That's 3rd gear on these automatic trans, and it will do the shifting. If you want to shift it yourself you simply start in 1st and shift up or you can downshift from any gear also.
The advantage of a deeper pan is strictly more capacity. Some are finned aluminum, which will also slightly decrease heat, but it's not much. If you have any doubts about clearances don't bother with a deep pan. It's not much of an upgrade. Save your money for a good remote cooler to keep the trans a lot cooler.
I usually paint my engine gloss black. It goes with any body color, and looks good with chrome or polished components.
The advantage of a deeper pan is strictly more capacity. Some are finned aluminum, which will also slightly decrease heat, but it's not much. If you have any doubts about clearances don't bother with a deep pan. It's not much of an upgrade. Save your money for a good remote cooler to keep the trans a lot cooler.
I usually paint my engine gloss black. It goes with any body color, and looks good with chrome or polished components.
Last edited by 1971BB427; Dec 17, 2016 at 02:38 PM.
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,315
From: troy NH
yes like said above with shift kit they shift on there on there own ,if you dont drop into first an manual shift ,its like haveing a manual with out the clutch ,but with choise to shift or not ,when breaking it in ,you will want to shift with mine it took a few days for it to shift right makeing adjustments ,a 3000 stall will sound great when you choose not to shift ,but is harder on the trans an rear end ,but i am sure you will be ok with those top end guys matching up your engine an trans ,then again with the big engine be careful ,i dont know i dont think its manual valve body,my understanding is with a manual valve body you have to shift, but with stage 2 shift kit it just may have one ,an yes a good trans cooler is mandatory th350 mine mounts right on my radiator then a line runs to the trans to keep it cooler
Last edited by 95 camaro 406; Dec 18, 2016 at 01:19 PM.
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I personally have always kept my trans coolers isolated from the one in the radiator. Never had any automatic transmission issues with any car I've owned with isolated cooler, and it avoids adding engine temp/heat to the trans cooling. Both of my automatic vehicles are that way presently, and the last one I had over 35 years on a trans rebuild, and it was still working great when I sold the car.
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If you want your TH400 or TH350 to shift by itself, you simply leave it in "D" Drive. That's 3rd gear on these automatic trans, and it will do the shifting. If you want to shift it yourself you simply start in 1st and shift up or you can downshift from any gear also.
The advantage of a deeper pan is strictly more capacity. Some are finned aluminum, which will also slightly decrease heat, but it's not much. If you have any doubts about clearances don't bother with a deep pan. It's not much of an upgrade. Save your money for a good remote cooler to keep the trans a lot cooler.
I usually paint my engine gloss black. It goes with any body color, and looks good with chrome or polished components.
The advantage of a deeper pan is strictly more capacity. Some are finned aluminum, which will also slightly decrease heat, but it's not much. If you have any doubts about clearances don't bother with a deep pan. It's not much of an upgrade. Save your money for a good remote cooler to keep the trans a lot cooler.
I usually paint my engine gloss black. It goes with any body color, and looks good with chrome or polished components.
Hi, so if I have an automatic/manual valve body and I leave the shifter in third gear (drive) when the car is in stop, the transmission will automatically go to 1st and up shifts by it self accordingly?
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yes like said above with shift kit they shift on there on there own ,if you dont drop into first an manual shift ,its like haveing a manual with out the clutch ,but with choise to shift or not ,when breaking it in ,you will want to shift with mine it took a few days for it to shift right makeing adjustments ,a 3000 stall will sound great when you choose not to shift ,but is harder on the trans an rear end ,but i am sure you will be ok with those top end guys matching up your engine an trans ,then again with the big engine be careful ,i dont know i dont think its manual valve body,my understanding is with a manual valve body you have to shift, but with stage 2 shift kit it just may have one ,an yes a good trans cooler is mandatory th350 mine mounts right on my radiator then a line runs to the trans to keep it cooler
Hello, what is a 2 stage shift? I have the B & M mega shifter. Will this be good for manual/automatic valve body?
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I personally have always kept my trans coolers isolated from the one in the radiator. Never had any automatic transmission issues with any car I've owned with isolated cooler, and it avoids adding engine temp/heat to the trans cooling. Both of my automatic vehicles are that way presently, and the last one I had over 35 years on a trans rebuild, and it was still working great when I sold the car.
I ordered the radiator from Ron Davis Radiators and ordered it without the trans cooler inside. I will make a trans cooler separate. Do you know if I should order it with fans or without fans?