Powerglide vs. TH350

sst1226 · 05-14-2009, 02:40 PM

I have an iron-headed 396 that makes around 500hp in a 3050lb, Nova. Right now I'm running a Glide with a stock case stock gear and upgraded internals (kevlar bands etc.) I was thinking about going to a 3-speed, possibly a Th350 since I heard that I wouldn't have to change driveshafts or crossmembers. Is this true? If so, what do I need to make a 350 trans live in this car?

Not neccesarily looking for the most lightweight internal parts that use the least amount of hp, just want to know what needs to be done to these transmissions so that it will hold up. I also normally launch the car off the transbrake with a 5,000 stall converter and it has a turbo spline so I would be using the same converter.

greg fulk · 05-14-2009, 03:29 PM

The trans will bolt right no changes needed. As for what needs to done to make them live? someone else can point you in that direction. I have just low Hp stocker's & they live just fine...in fact dad's bracket Camaro that makes about 330hp has had the same 350TH in it for 15 years....we're not talking 100's of passes we're talking 1000's. (his local track you get atleast 4 time runs! ) BTW the 350 should pick the car up some too

junk496 · 05-14-2009, 09:26 PM

I agree with the 350th.My cusin had a PG in his 66 nova and was shruggling to get into the 11s,then he went and got a 350th all done and prestto 11.50s he went.

rayfin · 05-17-2009, 12:26 AM

I'd like to see how this turns out for you because I have run both in a 67 and 68 Camaro. I raced the powerglide back in 1980 and everyone thought I was nuts. Very few guys used them back then.

Jim Cimarolli · 05-17-2009, 07:29 AM

Mario, you have a PM.

jmarkaudio · 05-17-2009, 07:57 AM

What are you trying to accomplish? You are better off with the glide ET wise as long as you have the right gear and converter.

sst1226 · 05-18-2009, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmarkaudio

What are you trying to accomplish? You are better off with the glide ET wise as long as you have the right gear and converter.

Thats what I'm trying to figure out. If the TH350 is an almost direct swap, I can't help but figure that with the same converter & rear gear, the car will benefit from the stiffer first gear to get the car moving out of the hole. Plus, who doesn't like going a little faster, while making the car a little more fun to drive?

I've also been told that any thing above 3000-3100lbs works better with a 3 speed than a glide, and anything lighter generally works better with a glide.

I'm just throwing around the idea at this point because once I finish putting together my new 509, the glide would be going back in the car anyways.

hbps1978 · 05-18-2009, 07:45 PM

sst1226 - I've 1/8" mile bracket raced for several years and I've seen several of my buddies over the years swap from a TH350 to a Glide and anyone who did instantly picked up .15 just in the 1/8" mile with a Glide.

There is less rotating mass with a Glide than a Turbo. Most anyone who has gone quicker with a basic Turbo versus a Glide has had the wrong converter / differential gear ratio in their car to start with.

Good luck with your car.

richie 2 · 05-19-2009, 07:22 AM

so a PG will produce quicker et in a 2600lb. SS/GT car?

Jack McCarthy · 05-19-2009, 08:09 AM

dont plan on bolting in .15 ...
plan on changing rear gear, and probably converter to get full benefit (if any)

3000 lbs and 500hp the glide will be DAMN near as fast, and cheaper

jack mccarthy... just swapped one in march
p.s have 208 & 198 lite glides for sale

05-14-2009, 02:40 PM	#1
sst1226 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Newark, DE Posts: 63 Likes: 2 Liked 11 Times in 2 Posts	Powerglide vs. TH350 I have an iron-headed 396 that makes around 500hp in a 3050lb, Nova. Right now I'm running a Glide with a stock case stock gear and upgraded internals (kevlar bands etc.) I was thinking about going to a 3-speed, possibly a Th350 since I heard that I wouldn't have to change driveshafts or crossmembers. Is this true? If so, what do I need to make a 350 trans live in this car? Not neccesarily looking for the most lightweight internal parts that use the least amount of hp, just want to know what needs to be done to these transmissions so that it will hold up. I also normally launch the car off the transbrake with a 5,000 stall converter and it has a turbo spline so I would be using the same converter. __________________ Mario DiTeodoro III SST/SG1226 STK126M

05-14-2009, 03:29 PM	#2
greg fulk VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: jackson Posts: 1,165 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Powerglide vs. TH350 The trans will bolt right no changes needed. As for what needs to done to make them live? someone else can point you in that direction. I have just low Hp stocker's & they live just fine...in fact dad's bracket Camaro that makes about 330hp has had the same 350TH in it for 15 years....we're not talking 100's of passes we're talking 1000's. (his local track you get atleast 4 time runs! ) BTW the 350 should pick the car up some too __________________ Greg Fulk 308 308X P/SA "ALL AMERICAN"

05-14-2009, 09:26 PM	#3
junk496 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bensalem Pa Posts: 6 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Powerglide vs. TH350 I agree with the 350th.My cusin had a PG in his 66 nova and was shruggling to get into the 11s,then he went and got a 350th all done and prestto 11.50s he went.

05-17-2009, 12:26 AM	#4
rayfin Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: sioux city Posts: 134 Likes: 1 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Powerglide vs. TH350 I'd like to see how this turns out for you because I have run both in a 67 and 68 Camaro. I raced the powerglide back in 1980 and everyone thought I was nuts. Very few guys used them back then.

05-17-2009, 07:29 AM	#5
Jim Cimarolli Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Sulphur Springs Texas Posts: 742 Likes: 146 Liked 166 Times in 46 Posts	Re: Powerglide vs. TH350 Mario, you have a PM.

05-17-2009, 07:57 AM	#6
jmarkaudio Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 83 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Powerglide vs. TH350 What are you trying to accomplish? You are better off with the glide ET wise as long as you have the right gear and converter.

05-18-2009, 07:45 PM	#8
hbps1978 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bristol Va Posts: 19 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Powerglide vs. TH350 sst1226 - I've 1/8" mile bracket raced for several years and I've seen several of my buddies over the years swap from a TH350 to a Glide and anyone who did instantly picked up .15 just in the 1/8" mile with a Glide. There is less rotating mass with a Glide than a Turbo. Most anyone who has gone quicker with a basic Turbo versus a Glide has had the wrong converter / differential gear ratio in their car to start with. Good luck with your car.

05-19-2009, 07:22 AM	#9
richie 2 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 967 Likes: 419 Liked 200 Times in 91 Posts	Re: Powerglide vs. TH350 so a PG will produce quicker et in a 2600lb. SS/GT car?

05-19-2009, 08:09 AM	#10
Jack McCarthy VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: lyndon ky. ... louisville area Posts: 1,318 Likes: 28 Liked 457 Times in 113 Posts	Re: Powerglide vs. TH350 dont plan on bolting in .15 ... plan on changing rear gear, and probably converter to get full benefit (if any) 3000 lbs and 500hp the glide will be DAMN near as fast, and cheaper jack mccarthy... just swapped one in march p.s have 208 & 198 lite glides for sale __________________ Jack McCarthy 3609 STK "the Captain"