3 Speed Transmission Question

[AveryMcLawhorn]

Asking an age old question but looking for some real experience and or data to back up the questions.

In terms of three speed transmissions out there for SS with trans brake what is the actual ET differences between say the following:

Protrans
Rossler TH350 Lighted
Coan XLT-350
Metric 200 (McClay or Equivalent Builder)
A-1 TH350 Lighted
ATI Transmissions
etc.

Before anyone says, I know there are a lot of variables, gear ratio, convertor, etc. but looking for some actual experience out there. I have heard pro-trans is one of if not the fastest, but by how much or was cause the gear ratio was changed to be more ideal for the combination?

[Jrh5220]

Originally Posted by AveryMcLawhorn

Asking an age old question but looking for some real experience and or data to back up the questions.

In terms of three speed transmissions out there for SS with trans brake what is the actual ET differences between say the following:

Protrans
Rossler TH350 Lighted
Coan XLT-350
Metric 200 (McClay or Equivalent Builder)
A-1 TH350 Lighted
ATI Transmissions
etc.

Before anyone says, I know there are a lot of variables, gear ratio, convertor, etc. but looking for some actual experience out there. I have heard pro-trans is one of if not the fastest, but by how much or was cause the gear ratio was changed to be more ideal for the combination?

Avery it depends on what you are changing from,a 200 turbo from a glide in a h stocker was .o12, from a 2.18 glide to a rossler was .002 slower.so your results will very. My 2 cents.

[James Perrone]

In super stock.pro trans was always the fastest
Rumor has it the Coan is just as fast or better now
The metric 200 stuff you don?t see a lot on the east coast

[Frank Castros]

What can Joel on Joy do to enhance a transmission. Many of the FSS cars at Charlotte had his sticker on the rear bumper.

[rsalemi]

Originally Posted by Frank Castros

What can Joel on Joy do to enhance a transmission. Many of the FSS cars at Charlotte had his sticker on the rear bumper.

I believe Joel built the C4's for the original FS mustangs years ago.

[jmcarter]

Whatever Marshall runs…

[AveryMcLawhorn]

Thanks to all that have responded so far. Agree Marshall has a fast whatever.

Wonder how much the transbrake for super stock vs a stocker transmission makes a difference in the ET times mentioned or if it would be the same across the board.

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by AveryMcLawhorn

Thanks to all that have responded so far. Agree Marshall has a fast whatever.

Wonder how much the transbrake for super stock vs a stocker transmission makes a difference in the ET times mentioned or if it would be the same across the board.

A trans brake usually requires more fluid pressure, more volume, and more friction capacity. A three speed brake is not as quick, clean, or consistent as a PowerGlide brake. As such, a three speed with a brake will almost certainly be slower than one without.


I don't know that you'll find a reliable significant difference in ET between the various three speeds, once you get into the $5,000 and up price range. Often there will be more ET advantage in optimizing your combination, meaning converter and gear ratios, than there will be in one three speed over the other.


I'd suggest you ask around and see who has the happiest customers from a service and support perspective. That might serve you best. There's also the question of the most affordable gear set options.

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by Frank Castros

What can Joel on Joy do to enhance a transmission. Many of the FSS cars at Charlotte had his sticker on the rear bumper.

Cars with transmissions from Joel can have either a C-4 or a TH-400.
Joel limits the use of the Ford C-4 based on the amount of torque the engine puts out.

[GTX JOHN]

We have run multiple transmissions over the past
well over 30+ years in our Mopar Stock/SS cars.

Protrans is always the fastest and most reliable for us
over the years.