Original transmissions vs power

[Ralphie]

I am going to build some power into my 1953 Studebaker resto rod project.
I don't know if the final result(long way to go yet) will be exactly according to my initial plan, but my goal so far is to keep the car as much of a Stude as possible.
So, right now I wonder how much power the original automatic drive tranny can take?
I am also wondering if maybe changing the "auto" with a manual overdrive tranny would be better..? - I am quite young for a Studebaker enthusiast, I guess, but I seem to remember having read somewhere that the famous overdrive transmission is very strong and has been used for different racing applications, even on Bonneville..?
I am going supercharged, paxton or similare, by the way.

I will get to the axles and a lot of other parts later/in another thread. - Taking it one step of the time...



"There are two speeds in life - flat out and faster"(Burt Munro)

1953 Starliner("hot rod" project)
1953 Regal Commander Starlight Coupe(original).

[Alan]

Ralph, The tranny is plenty stout but it will eat up about a quarter of a second in a quarter mile. Don't even dream of using it in an 1/8 miler. For a long race like Bonneville it's not a problem.

[Ralphie]

Right.... That's good to know. Thanks!:-)

What are my options if I want good acceleration, but preferably also nice highway rpms?
What did the Avantis and the Superhawks+larks - or the 1957 Golden Hawk use? I am looking for that early sixties style, so authentic parts according to the era would be preferable.
However, I am willing to make a few "practical" exceptions...[8D]

I really don't mind stick shifts(manual trannys), but would there be any good "auto" alternatives? Just curious.

[PackardV8]

Everyone has an opinion, but the strongest, most versatile transmission ever put in a Stude car was the Borg-Warner T85 overdrive. Unfortunately, it was only used in the '56-58 Golden Hawks. A different version was used in many late-'50s-early-60s trucks.

thnx, jack vines

PackardV8

[Ralphie]

OK, Thanks for the info.

If I were to get hold of a T-85, a T-10(I seem to remember that Dick Steinkamp had a T-10 in his earlier S2D, but I may be "way off" with my memory..) or something that would handle power well, would I then be able to "mate" it to the original 232 V8 in my Commander as a contemporary solution, while building another, more powerful engine?

The reason I ask is I have imported the car to Norway(where I live), but I haven't registered it yet.
The original automatic transmission is leaking. I put some "wonderfluid" in it, that a local trucking company recomended. They use it sometimes on their vehicles with great success. The fluid worked pretty well, but didn't stop the leak completely.
So now I either have to use money to get the auto-tranny overhauled before I get the car registered, and then change the auto-tranny with something more "powerfriendly", or I will have to put for instance a T-85 in the car before I register it.

I need to get the car registered before I start modifying it too much(putting a powerful engine in it, rebuilding the brakes etc, etc), because it is much easier to get modifications approved by the National road and vehicle authorities when a car is already registered, in my country.

This all became a bit "complicated", I guess... I hope you guys survive

[52-fan]

If you are just trying to get the car registered, why not just put some new seals in the existing transmission? If it is functioning well, but leaking, you will not have to rebuild the unit. Some simple seals may stop your problem until you can upgrade to a stronger transmission.


1952 Champion Starlight, 1962 Daytona, both w/overdrive.Searcy,Arkansas
"I may be lazy, but I'm not shiftless."

[N8N]

I don't know about a T-85, but a T-10 will work behind any Stude V-8 with a standard late V-8 stickshift bellhousing. It bolted right into my '55 coupe with just adding some holes into the crossmember for the bellhousing mount. Now I suspect that I will eventually have to slot those holes so that I can run the driveshaft closer to the center of the tunnel, unless I swap to a T85 and 2-piece d'shaft. Now if you are keeping the 6V electrics make sure you use a 6V flywheel, the tooth count is different 6V to 12V.

that said the DG is not a bad trans, you might as well keep in in there and drive it a bit rather than tear it down right away and mess with it too much.

nate

--
55 Commander Starlight

http://members.cox.net/njnagel

[Allan Songer]

quote:Originally posted by PackardV8

Everyone has an opinion, but the strongest, most versatile transmission ever put in a Stude car was the Borg-Warner T85 overdrive. Unfortunately, it was only used in the '56-58 Golden Hawks. A different version was used in many late-'50s-early-60s trucks.

thnx, jack vines

PackardV8

Don't forget those odd-ball '56-'58 President sedans and '57-'58 Packard sedans that were equipped with a stick shift! I don't know how many were made, but I'll bet less than 100--probably less than 50.

[Ralphie]

Thanks for the pieces of advice, guys. I appreciate it a lot.

I have been thinking of changing the seals, and before I send the auto-tranny to a workshop I will try the easy/money-saving procedure, wich is changing the seals, first.
I was just a bit curious what options I have...[:I]

Yes, the original automatic transmission IS a fine piece of "machinery". - I agree.
It shifts excellently, and is near perfect for cruising.
So I guess maybe the seals is a good way to start, and then I have time to look for a "performance-transmission" to put in with the "new", supercharged engine later on.

However, if any of you guys have any more advice regarding what tranny could be suitable for the new engine/fast rides and Sunday track days, I would be happy to hear it.
Thanks again!
Us Stude-rookies can learn a lot from the experienced guys on this forum.
I wish there was a university degree called something like "Stude-study" [8D]

"There are two speeds in life - flat out and faster"(Burt Munro)

1953 Starliner("hot rod" project)
1953 Regal Commander Starlight Coupe(original).

[Ralphie]

The "hot rod" has been converted to 12v voltage.

The original Green Starlight will stay 6V, for sure

[PackardV8]

quote:
Don't forget those odd-ball '56-'58 President sedans

Hi, Allan,

Actually, it's the odd-balls who are driving the '56 V8 2-dr sedans we should be worrying about.

thnx, jack vines

PackardV8

[sbca96]

If you are staying auto go with a 700R4, the low first gear really
gets the car off the line quick, the OD helps you out on the freeway.
If you are going manual, look for my TKO thread, its worth it.

The 2nd gear start Studebaker auto trans IS durable, but leaves a lot
to be desired when trying to bang through the gears.

Tom

'63 Avanti, zinc plated drilled & slotted 03 Mustang Cobra 13" front disc/98 GT rear brakes, 03 Cobra 17" wheels, GM alt, 97 Z28 leather seats, soon: TKO 5-spd, Ported heads w/SST full flow valves, 'R3' 276 cam, Edelbrock AFB Carb, GM HEI distributor, 8.8mm plug wires

[buddymander]

Ya, everybody's going with the 700R4 or in some cases the 2004R; I would do the 700 if I was going to go automatic. I have an A-833 mopar four speed manual (fourth is overdrive) in my Hawk with the 354 rearend and it's great in every respect. But I think for your project I would use a Chevy T5 up against a stock stude bell. Not a Ford T5; the input is too short. I narrowed the original rearend for my car but if I had it to do over, I would go with an 8.8 ford. There's a thread on here about which 8.8 rearend to use.

[Ralphie]

Very interesting point of views and pieces of info.
I will check out those other threads right away, sure thing!
Research is important, indeed!