Just did a brief internet search while eating my lunch. Turned up all kinds of info on using the Powerglide transmission in circle track cars. This is a whole new world of info for me. I am basically familiar with auto trannies but not sure of what the advantages are in running one in a circle track race car. Weight may be one of them. Stuff I just read talked about leaving various parts out of the trans to save weight. Same goes for running without a torque convertor.
Extremely interesting topic. I sure would like to know more about the reasoning behind using these transmissions instead of a 3 or 4 spd manual.
MB
Going back to the MRE catalog from 1982, the Powerglide trans kit was priced at $317.00 and what would have cost for a salvage yard glide and now your looking at just North of $400.00 As a side note , I dug out my copy of the rules for the Strictly Street Stock class at Topeka Raceway (1/4 mile banked dirt) from 1984. As far as transmissions go, the only rules where
the transmission must be in the stock position and must be a minimum of two forward and 1 reverse gear. No 5 speeds,couplers or dog clutches There was a $350.00 engine claim...basically a long block. So if one wanted to put a $400.00 plus Powerglide in his Street Stock in 1984 , he could...legally. Back in the early 80's, $400.00 could have scored you 6 or 7 Muncies ready to go which looks better for the Muncie. Now for the otherside....
The race prepped Powerglides could shift quicker, especially that all important shift from 1st to 2nd on a restart......imagine being in the 3rd row on a re-start with the other 4 cars ahead of you running manual transmissions. At the drop of the Green, if you had a clear track, you could get a jump out ahead of at least 3 of them before setting up for turn 3. With a Powerglide the driver could take the car deeper into the turn....imagine there is slop on the low groove and the middle groove is starting to fade and go away...the top groove is still decent and those that can run there are at an advantage. As far as weight goes, with time and more aftermarket parts available for the glide, it got lighter. The late 70's version weighed more simply by the fact that the stock internals were still being used where applicable. About the time that the direct drive trannys started showing up(Brinn,Bert late 80's early 90's) the racing Powerglide where indeed noticeably lighter , but with all the trick stuff being sold by B&M , TCI, etc. etc. the prices made them right at or above the "NEW" direct drives which were designed for circle track racing verses the Powerglide that was adapted. Eventually, the racing Powerglide cost more than the direct drives. What kept the Powerglides in the racing picture was when rules stipulated no direct drives, but said nothing of running a torque converter or not....those with the deep pockets and plenty of $$$ still ran the racing version of the Powerglide. As time marches on the price of the "original" Powerglide transmissions keeps going up as its been out of production since 1973...however, aftermarket, new Powerglides start @ $2000.00 ......for a cool 5 Grand you can get a Glide that's good for 2200 H.P ...so that would be the Speedway Motors connection to all of this, you can still get a "Powerglide" from them but be ready to shell out about $2500.00 for a race ready version for your Street Stock or "
Economy" Modified