Glide VS 400
 

Anybody running a glide in their heavy drag truck? I was planning on putting together parts over the year for winter project on the truck, I've been pushing my luck with the TH350 that's in it and was going to get a TH400 for it, super case the works, but now also been looking at putting in a glide but concerned about the higher starting gear.

Should this even be a concern if a you are putting out enough power? Or would it maybe even help being easier on parts not launching as hard? Giving up a couple tenths in the 60' be worth easier on the driveline? Was talking to a guy with a 9sec 3600# car that has run several different trans, glide, 350, 400 and said his 60' was pretty much the same with all of them.

I just don't want to spend 5-6k on a trans and it not work, I do like the idea that if I went to a glide my trans mount, driveshaft loop, and drive shaft would all work, where as a 400 I'd have to change all that and I'd be adding 35#.

Re: Glide VS 400
 

I cant speak for 3600# but at under 2800 with me it made the truck a ton better . I lost a bit in 60' and it tamed down the wheelies . Tons more consistant the witha th350 or 400 ( i have had both in it ) . A factory 1.82 will not last at your weight and a 1.76 will be marginal at best so if your buyning a gear set anyway just buy a 1.96 or some where areount 2.0 . My transmission guy told me 9.03 first was the goal .Take that for what it is worth .

Re: Glide VS 400
 

Was looking at one of these, with the 1.80 first gear.

http://www.atiracing.com/products/tr...uperglide2.htm

Re: Glide VS 400
 

Read that a 400 use 40+ HP and a glide is 18 hp .

Re: Glide VS 400
 

Heavier too.

Re: Glide VS 400
 

I don't think a glide would be a good choice because of your weight, I would go with a th400 for sure. If you do there is a local guy that builds them. Ray ran one of his th400's in his white 72 for years. And well that thing has been 8.50's at 4000lbs

Re: Glide VS 400
 

If you go on dragstuff.com there are several guys >3600# running glides with some fast times.

When I spoke to Marco Abruzzi about which way to go (3,600 at the time) he told me it would be a wash between a 400 and pg. 400 might 60' a little better but the pg would make it up on mph. The big selling point though was consistency.

Re: Glide VS 400
 

Rays truck is seriously bad ass, I was crushed that he pulled out the motor and put it in a race car, I really wanted to check it out and bombard him with questions and see how he did a lot of things on it.


It's a back and forth thing right now, just as many guys saying too heavy as guys saying will be easier on parts in the 60' and still make up for it down track.

It's making things hard I tell you, good thing I have until fall/winter before I purchase to decide, unless I blow up my tranny before then, knock on wood!

Re: Glide VS 400
 

Also need to know primary use of the truck . If it is mostly race my choice would be a glide .

Re: Glide VS 400
 

I can say my 400 has been together along long time.
Made 25 laps in 8 hours.
It has been beat on.
Not that it makes a huge difference but its a straight cut planetary low gear.

Re: Glide VS 400
 

This is from a non-race perspective; the glide never had a problem with weight, even when dogged down with uber-low gearing. If you got the torque, the glide will do its thang no problem.

From the racing perspective, my knowledge of them is limited. The only useful thing I can say is that if you plan to drive the truck TO the track, you'll probably want the extra gearing.

Re: Glide VS 400
 

Truck sees very little driving on the street, and is trailered to the track.

The more I think about it the more I'm leaning towards a glide, I have pro's and cons for both and only pro for the 400 is the extra lower gear, but considering the motor I have planned to build next, at 1100+Hp and torque in the 850-900 range I'm almost wondering if the 2speed would be easier on parts off the line, and the lower gear not even noticed.

But maybe I'm wrong in my thinking, might just come down to a coin toss.

Re: Glide VS 400
 

FWIW certain GearVendors o/d's have been put behind 1k+ vehicles.
Thats adding a whole different set of concerns.

Re: Glide VS 400
 

For a track truck ,I say glide . The converter will take the hit not the tires . Shift noid is your friend .

Re: Glide VS 400
 

Too bad in class I run no RPM switch allowed on the noid, manual button only so may as well hit the stick myself and be done with it.

Re: Glide VS 400
 

A good glide with the aftermarket case and all good parts in side will not be a cheap date when you go to it but it will be good way to go. Get a convertor built for your truck when you do it and I think you will like it.
Jimmy

Re: Glide VS 400
 

i have always heard glide are good for under 2800 lbs cars.

Re: Glide VS 400
 

I still run a 400. It has a 210 low gear and is pretty violent if I try to run wide open. It works good for me running Super Street becuse I come off the throttle stop in 2nd gear(1.34 ratio). I would think if you are going to the high hp combo in the near future go with the glide. Its all about the starting line ratio.

Re: Glide VS 400
 

You can't shift fast enough with a 400 and lots of power,go with the glide.!

Re: Glide VS 400
 

I can but dont recomend it. lol

Re: Glide VS 400
 

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT. Wasn't any fun.!!!

They do make two speed gear sets and valve body now for the 400,lot of money unless you are running a promod.!

Re: Glide VS 400
 

With a 2.10 you will have some time .

With a 2.48 the shift will come very quick . I had a 2.49 400 with a 5.00 rear and the shiftniod smashed it during the wheelie ( which was a relief ) . Regan is right it is about first gear ratio .

Re: Glide VS 400
 

Will more then likely be going with a glide just to tame the launch some, plus it will be a easier swap.

What about lockup VS non lockup converter for it? Have to look more but during some looking around the net for transmission info saw recommendation of a lockup converter should be used?

Re: Glide VS 400
 

I think it is but the wheels are still in the air when I pull it ..lol

Re: Glide VS 400
 

Also it is not uncommon for me to pull the wheels coming off the stop in 2nd gear with the 1.34 and more so with the stock set.