Powerglide vs. TH350

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

Greg Hill · 05-20-2009, 06:20 AM

A good 3 speed trans will be faster in almost anything. The heavier the car the more difference it will make. Jack is right that in some instances you may have to make other changes to get the most benefit. Why do you think that all of the fast SS cars are now running 3 speeds?

63corvette · 05-20-2009, 08:48 AM

The weight of the vehicle is the issue and 3000 lbs seems to be the approx break point.
Most of the stock and super stock cars are in excess of that 3000 lbs and can benefit from the 3 speed as long as rotating weight inside the trans is limited.
My 2 Cents

buzzinhalfdozen · 05-20-2009, 09:31 AM

Seems to make sense that if you have plenty of power the glide would be fine. However I'd have to believe the gear ratio benefit is what makes the difference. Try taking off in second gear on your bike then first gear, it's hard to beat mechanical ratios when your power to weight ratio is low. Joe

05-17-2009, 07:57 AM	#1
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	#3
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	#4
richie 2 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 971 Likes: 424 Liked 205 Times in 93 Posts	Re: Powerglide vs. TH350 so a PG will produce quicker et in a 2600lb. SS/GT car?

05-19-2009, 08:09 AM	#5
Jack McCarthy VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: lyndon ky. ... louisville area Posts: 1,318 Likes: 28 Liked 459 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"

05-20-2009, 06:20 AM	#6
Greg Hill VIP Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Louisville , KY Posts: 1,995 Likes: 68 Liked 279 Times in 68 Posts	Re: Powerglide vs. TH350 A good 3 speed trans will be faster in almost anything. The heavier the car the more difference it will make. Jack is right that in some instances you may have to make other changes to get the most benefit. Why do you think that all of the fast SS cars are now running 3 speeds? __________________ Greg Hill 4171 STK

05-20-2009, 08:48 AM	#7
63corvette Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Canyon, Tx Posts: 551 Likes: 127 Liked 353 Times in 102 Posts	Re: Powerglide vs. TH350 The weight of the vehicle is the issue and 3000 lbs seems to be the approx break point. Most of the stock and super stock cars are in excess of that 3000 lbs and can benefit from the 3 speed as long as rotating weight inside the trans is limited. My 2 Cents

05-20-2009, 09:31 AM	#8
buzzinhalfdozen Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bellevue Ohio Posts: 984 Likes: 0 Liked 11 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Powerglide vs. TH350 Seems to make sense that if you have plenty of power the glide would be fine. However I'd have to believe the gear ratio benefit is what makes the difference. Try taking off in second gear on your bike then first gear, it's hard to beat mechanical ratios when your power to weight ratio is low. Joe __________________ Joe Buchanan SS/BX 3117