I was looking for input/experience of running a manual valve body on the street. I enjoy driving manual transmissions, a lot, but I'm going to be starting a street/strip slant six. Something that I can daily drive everyday but it's still a "weekend warrior" for track days. Anyway I want to have super quick shifts over the 4 speed (the only 4 speed slant six I have drove is an 82 ram with an A-833 od and it was lazy for a super six) but I wanted to know that if a manual valve body with a ratchet shifter with neutral lockout is applicable for street use.

Thanks in advance,
Seth

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Annabelle: 1970 Dodge Dart Hardtop
1991 Nissan 240sx (sileighty) Lots of mods
1974 Dodge Dart *Wrecked*

Seth,

Just my 2 cents:

When I got my Dart, it had a manual reverse pattern valve body in place. I too like a standard, but that RP valve body was no substitute for the real McCoy. I thought it sucked for street driving, it kept my left foot quivering looking for a third peddle, and right hand confused for lack of traditional “Hâ€￾ pattern shifting.

I yanked that infernal contraption out, installed an after market conventional shift valve body with the capability of manual shifting and over riding the transmission’s governor. In other words, just like a manual valve body, I can select any gear, and it will shift into it, at any time and rpm.

So I can put-put around town, take it to the track, or mix and match automatic shifts and manual shifts.

Bill

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67' Dart GT Convertible; the old Chrysler Corp.
82' LeBaron Convertible; the new Chrysler Corp
07' 300 C AWD; Now by Fiat, the old new Chrysler LLC

I've used a reverse manual pattern VB on the street several times in different cars. Always loved it.

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11.02 @ 120.56
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAxRmoDgsdY
Chassis dyno
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wd6hFGzLJMc

If you're serious about using a manual valve body on the street you want one with low band apply. Yes, the cost more, but without the low band apply the transmission relies on the sprag or over-running clutch in low gear. If you get off the throttle and back on again you can damage the sprag and if the sprag doesn't hold you can have a transmission explosion.

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Joshua

One other thing about a non low band apply is that you will have no engine braking in low gear at all.

That being said, I have driven many miles with as Cheetah Non LBA and never had any issues. It is in a buddy's Dart now and he has never had an issue in the 4 years he's had it either.

Honestly, in a 904 with a Slant you really, really have to do something incredibly stupid to roll the sprag. Even if you do, the front drum just doesn't have the mass to explode like a 727 drum does.

If you want the cream of the crop reverse pattern LBA valve body pop the extra money and get a Griner. You'll be glad you did.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

Ok, thanks guys! If I go with a full manual valve body, should I go with forward or reverse pattern, or is this preference? Also do I run a kick down and if not, do I wire the kickdown on all the time? Thanks guys.

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Annabelle: 1970 Dodge Dart Hardtop
1991 Nissan 240sx (sileighty) Lots of mods
1974 Dodge Dart *Wrecked*

A full manual will not need any kickdown linkage.

I personally prefer a reverse pattern. From what I have seen, some of the forward pattern ones seem to have "issues".

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.