Its Time... Manual -> Auto Swap

I Lean

Mbryson's hairdresser
Vendor
Location
Utah
I don't know. A long time ago I read it's really not a strong enough way to engine brake. Only engaged in overdrive anyway unless you modify and won't hold up. Things may have changed and I never dove deep into the tech.
I agree, I think....with as magic as automatic transmissions are to me, I don't think a lockup converter really affects engine braking. The bigger difference is whether your valve body makes engine braking happen, or not.
 

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
I had a TH350 built for my old TJ with a LS 5.3 many years ago. I added a manual valve body with engine braking and it worked well in that aspect. Loved the engine braking on steep hills and drops.


I will say, I wish I'd had used a 4l60E for a deeper first gear and the overdrive. Mine wasn't a street rig either, but having OD sure has been nice in my current TJ.

My old TJ felt like it lacked gearing in low range, during certain situations. I had a 4.3 ratio Atlas and when I needed instant wheel speed and RPM, it didn't have it. A higher stall convertor would have helped too. I had a 2000 RPM stall, should have done 2500 RPM IMO.
 

TJustin

Wonton Wannabe
Supporting Member
Location
Payson, UT
I had a TH350 built for my old TJ with a LS 5.3 many years ago. I added a manual valve body with engine braking and it worked well in that aspect. Loved the engine braking on steep hills and drops.


I will say, I wish I'd had used a 4l60E for a deeper first gear and the overdrive. Mine wasn't a street rig either, but having OD sure has been nice in my current TJ.

My old TJ felt like it lacked gearing in low range, during certain situations. I had a 4.3 ratio Atlas and when I needed instant wheel speed and RPM, it didn't have it. A higher stall convertor would have helped too. I had a 2000 RPM stall, should have done 2500 RPM IMO.

This is good feedback. I'll read through this. I know you alluded to it in your previous post, but do you feel a combination with the correct converter and my lower 5.0 Atlas will make for a better combo?

You can order valve bodies with or without engine breaking. My current valve body in my buggy/Th350 has engine breaking in 1st and 2nd. I love it on a steep decent. I don't need to use very much if any breaking. My valve body is also a full manual valve body.
What ratio are you running in your t-case? Any idea on the converter stall?
 

kmboren

Recovering XJ owner anonymous
Location
Southern Utah
This is good feedback. I'll read through this. I know you alluded to it in your previous post, but do you feel a combination with the correct converter and my lower 5.0 Atlas will make for a better combo?


What ratio are you running in your t-case? Any idea on the converter stall?
I have a 4 speed atlas. My double low is 5.44:1. I have 5.38s in the rear able and 5.13s in the front. I like a lower stall. I have wheeled with people in higher stalls and it seems difficult to control. Mine is a normal stall with a 12 in converter.
 

TurboMinivan

Still plays with cars
Location
Lehi, UT
You can order valve bodies with or without engine breaking. My current valve body in my buggy/Th350 has engine breaking in 1st and 2nd. I love it on a steep decent. I don't need to use very much if any breaking. My valve body is also a full manual valve body.

My old turbo Caravan had a Cheetah Competition reverse-pattern manual valve body, and it only had engine braking in 2nd and 3rd gears. (I didn't order it that way; that's just how they make it.) Turbo Action offers this valve body because the A-413 in the minivan was essentially just an old A904 RWD automatic turned sideways and converted into a transaxle.

The only thing more fun than daily driving a minivan with a reverse-pattern manual valve body was telling muscle car owners that I had a reverse-pattern manual valve body in my minivan. :D
 

bobdog

4x4 Addict!
Location
Sandy
The jeep I’m running now has a 4L80 and a 4 speed Atlas. 5.38s and 43”s. The Atlas has 3.8 reduction and when you shift the reduction box in it becomes 10.3 to 1 and it is unusable. The jeep in low range 3.8 with the 2.5 or so trans ratio seems to work fine for everything
 
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