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.
 

bobdog

4x4 Addict!
Location
Sandy
Complete Hokus Pokus to me. I just ordered one. Manual valve body and specified I wanted engine braking. Hope that's what happens. Not sure I will know the difference. I always had a granny low 4 speed
 

mbryson

.......a few dollars more
Supporting Member
I have a manual valve body in my T400 in my Buick. No significant engine braking but I assume I have a 3000-3400 stall converter in there also. I'm not sure if that's a factor.
 

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?
 

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
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?

I think it'll work well, with the higher 1st gear ratio of a TH350.
 

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
 

TJustin

Wonton Wannabe
Supporting Member
Location
Payson, UT
Yes, those are Novak prices, I'll check out AA. I'll double check my prices on the other things as well. Thanks for being a sounding board.
 

TJustin

Wonton Wannabe
Supporting Member
Location
Payson, UT
The only other one that makes sense while not as popular as the TH350 would be a 32RH out of a similar year TJ.

I found one in Denver needing rebuilt, for $400 and includes everything to swap (brake pedal assembly, trans, cooler lines, shifter, cables etc.)

If I go that route, I’d need to either make a 2 day trip out of it or get a freight company to bring it to Utah. 🤷‍♂️
 

N-Smooth

Smooth Gang Founding Member
Location
UT
The only other one that makes sense while not as popular as the TH350 would be a 32RH out of a similar year TJ.

I found one in Denver needing rebuilt, for $400 and includes everything to swap (brake pedal assembly, trans, cooler lines, shifter, cables etc.)

If I go that route, I’d need to either make a 2 day trip out of it or get a freight company to bring it to Utah. 🤷‍♂️
I ordered my buggy trans on Carpart and just had them ship it. It was delivered via a freight truck with a lift-gate and they dropped the pallet/crate on my driveway. I don’t remember it being expensive either. Easy peasy.
 
Top