How street friendly is a powerglide
03-08-2018, 09:02 AM
#21
I have a 6" thick dual pass radiator and 3700 cfm single fan that hasn't gotten over 170 degrees. I may have the best cooling setup that's ever been on a corvette. My old full size dewitts setup ran at 210 degrees. I assume that would help allot. Forgive my lack of experience. Thats why I'm asking. I'm new to 1000+hp cars. I guess my next question is what cooling setup does everyone have?
Last edited by usmcpony; 03-08-2018 at 10:00 AM.
03-08-2018, 08:11 PM
#22
Burning Brakes
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St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12
DeWitts C6 cut down radiator, Dual Spal fans, vented hood (quickly lowers temps). 2 oil coolers in fog lamp area delete.
I have learned to compromise and avoid the hotter part of the day (less traffic too). A PG car will require some compromise, but you will NOT worry about hurting your trans when you stomp the peddle with 1000+ HP.....there is no downshift like the 6L80 either.
I have learned to compromise and avoid the hotter part of the day (less traffic too). A PG car will require some compromise, but you will NOT worry about hurting your trans when you stomp the peddle with 1000+ HP.....there is no downshift like the 6L80 either.
03-08-2018, 08:45 PM
#23
DeWitts C6 cut down radiator, Dual Spal fans, vented hood (quickly lowers temps). 2 oil coolers in fog lamp area delete.
I have learned to compromise and avoid the hotter part of the day (less traffic too). A PG car will require some compromise, but you will NOT worry about hurting your trans when you stomp the peddle with 1000+ HP.....there is no downshift like the 6L80 either.
I have learned to compromise and avoid the hotter part of the day (less traffic too). A PG car will require some compromise, but you will NOT worry about hurting your trans when you stomp the peddle with 1000+ HP.....there is no downshift like the 6L80 either.
03-09-2018, 01:33 AM
#24
Burning Brakes
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St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12
Quite, the opposite LOL...this cars highway rolls all the time !
With the PG, you cruise in 2nd gear at 60 mph and just mash the gas ---blast off. It's like a manual car in 4th. However, once your RPM needle blips your converter's stall speed (mine is a 3800-4000 converter) it's hold on and hope you got traction.
At anywhere 60-80 mph the car is in it's sweet spot because cruising near 3000 RPM puts the engine & converter near 3800 RPM...hit the gas and you're at full RPM and full speed in a blink.
If I was going to start a roll on an un-prepped surface, I could start in 1st and bump to 2nd at 45-50 mph. I'd have to peddle it for traction because I'd be at my converter's speed in 1st gear going to 2nd & from there it gets rolling quick.
With the PG, you cruise in 2nd gear at 60 mph and just mash the gas ---blast off. It's like a manual car in 4th. However, once your RPM needle blips your converter's stall speed (mine is a 3800-4000 converter) it's hold on and hope you got traction.
At anywhere 60-80 mph the car is in it's sweet spot because cruising near 3000 RPM puts the engine & converter near 3800 RPM...hit the gas and you're at full RPM and full speed in a blink.
If I was going to start a roll on an un-prepped surface, I could start in 1st and bump to 2nd at 45-50 mph. I'd have to peddle it for traction because I'd be at my converter's speed in 1st gear going to 2nd & from there it gets rolling quick.
Last edited by Silver Bullet C6; 03-09-2018 at 01:43 AM.
04-13-2019, 03:36 PM
#26
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I have had a glide in my car for years, well actually it was the first Corvette with a rear mounted glide in it so I could say longer than anyone.
You can drive fine on 50 MPH roads but interstate highway driving is over. The engine overheats before the trans in my case, besides it's just not fun cruising at 3,000 plus RPM watching gauges the whole time.
That said, the glide was the 13th transmission I put in my C5, and the last trans I put in it. There is simply no comparison when racing, it's not a thought anymore, just go win races. I will happily take the trade for me, I can see where others may not want to. Some of our customers put it in for race season then take it out for the rest of the year, it's as fast as a clutch swap, one day in or out.
Oh and look for ECS' powerglides to be coming back out shortly, they are being built right now. We started with the C5 and are going onto the C6 as soon as that is done, then 9" after that. Shame we had to give those up for a while now, but we just couldn't keep up with the supercharger demand and had to pick one to focus one, but those days are coming to an end soon.
You can drive fine on 50 MPH roads but interstate highway driving is over. The engine overheats before the trans in my case, besides it's just not fun cruising at 3,000 plus RPM watching gauges the whole time.
That said, the glide was the 13th transmission I put in my C5, and the last trans I put in it. There is simply no comparison when racing, it's not a thought anymore, just go win races. I will happily take the trade for me, I can see where others may not want to. Some of our customers put it in for race season then take it out for the rest of the year, it's as fast as a clutch swap, one day in or out.
Oh and look for ECS' powerglides to be coming back out shortly, they are being built right now. We started with the C5 and are going onto the C6 as soon as that is done, then 9" after that. Shame we had to give those up for a while now, but we just couldn't keep up with the supercharger demand and had to pick one to focus one, but those days are coming to an end soon.
hey Doug. Any info on the c6 glide kit coming back? Really want to put one in my car. Would love some info on it.
04-13-2019, 04:34 PM
#27
Team Owner
04-13-2019, 04:40 PM
#28
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yeah. I spoke with them. But when I asked about a “kit” so I can have my shop do it they didn’t really give me an answer. Not talking bad about them by any means. I had them build me a level 7 tr6060 level 4 diff and prop shaft. Love it and it takes a beating. Just trying to figure out all components I need. I have a guy local to me that is an excellent trans builder and a lot of local racers have his trans and have no complaints. Trying to stay local on the trans and source other components elsewhere
04-13-2019, 05:29 PM
#29
Team Owner
Kit as in build the tranny yourself? Jeremy at rpm is great and they ship glide setups all the time. I know CPR has done 3+ this year from them. Now of you are asking about just buying the parts good luck on that.
04-13-2019, 07:10 PM
#30
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Jeeeze ... Chevy used to put the ol' 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission in cars for years ... Never was thought of as a "performance' transmission back in the day.
Even my dad had a Powerglide in his 62 Chevy Impala back in the day ... As far as speed, that car was nothing to write home about. I believe it's lack of performance was not only the fact that it had only a 250 HP 327 engine, but that 2-speed Powerglide didn't help it much either. The car would have performed much better had it had a 3 speed automatic.
Strange how this transmission has morphed into something you would install behind a +1,000 HP car.
Shakes head ....
Even my dad had a Powerglide in his 62 Chevy Impala back in the day ... As far as speed, that car was nothing to write home about. I believe it's lack of performance was not only the fact that it had only a 250 HP 327 engine, but that 2-speed Powerglide didn't help it much either. The car would have performed much better had it had a 3 speed automatic.
Strange how this transmission has morphed into something you would install behind a +1,000 HP car.
Shakes head ....
04-14-2019, 12:14 PM
#32
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Ok ... When I saw it was called a Powerglide, I thought of that 2-speed "slip and slide" that was in the ol' 1962 Chevy.
04-14-2019, 12:22 PM
#33
Team Owner
It is.... But it would be like saying a 1970 Corvette is same as 2019 Corvette. They do a lot of magic and driving a 2 speed with 1200+hp compared to 200 isn't comparable. When you have a stall that flashes to 4k and a huge wide power band they work great.
04-15-2019, 08:16 PM
#38
Melting Slicks
Surprised nobody mentioned the simplicity and weight. Someone asking why not 4l80 or why not th400- the 4l80e is a monster around 250lbs+ and the th400 is a smaller version of that monstrosity.
I used 4l80e in 800rwhp applications for daily drivers because they are $350 from U-pull-it and don't care if you have 500-1000rwhp. And the overdrive means 70mph is potentially 20mpg in some cars, you can take it for some long distances with cool trans and engine temperatures.
I think the TH400 is in a similar way cheap, robust even while mostly OEM. Lighter than the 4l80e but no overdrive means no long distance driving.
So between the TH400 and powerglide, why bother with 2 gears when you could have 3? Weight and simplicity. The glide will absorb less power from the drivetrain, lighten the vehicle, and it is far more simple inside for maintenance/service (its a much cheaper transmission to assemble and care for)
I used 4l80e in 800rwhp applications for daily drivers because they are $350 from U-pull-it and don't care if you have 500-1000rwhp. And the overdrive means 70mph is potentially 20mpg in some cars, you can take it for some long distances with cool trans and engine temperatures.
I think the TH400 is in a similar way cheap, robust even while mostly OEM. Lighter than the 4l80e but no overdrive means no long distance driving.
So between the TH400 and powerglide, why bother with 2 gears when you could have 3? Weight and simplicity. The glide will absorb less power from the drivetrain, lighten the vehicle, and it is far more simple inside for maintenance/service (its a much cheaper transmission to assemble and care for)
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DOUG @ ECS (04-16-2019)
04-16-2019, 12:39 AM
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