• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Drivetrain best drag trans?

  • Thread starter Thread starter wikkedturbo408w
  • Start date Start date Sep 28, 2020
W

wikkedturbo408w

Member
Sep 23, 2020
42
12
18
williamsport, TN
Sep 28, 2020
#1
  • Sep 28, 2020
  • #1
looking for a full racing trans for my 86 fox, turbo 408w, 1400-1500 horse MAX, basically between FTI and ATI, but would a th400 or a powerglide/supercase proglide be the better option? right now im specifically on an FTI TH400-5UB. can anyone offer some advice or tips?
 
N

NXcoupe

Active Member
Dec 3, 2009
80
27
28
Dayton, OH
Oct 25, 2020
#2
  • Oct 25, 2020
  • #2
Glide if that's what floats your boat. Easy to get the car to hook up on launch, and isn't a hp eater like a 400 and usually can be found used as well. SFI cases and a multitude of parts are available too.
 
W

wikkedturbo408w

Member
Sep 23, 2020
42
12
18
williamsport, TN
Oct 26, 2020
#3
  • Oct 26, 2020
  • #3
appreciate it man, i'll look into a glide a little more
 

a91what

SendMeUrDataLog
10 Year Member
Apr 6, 2011
10,739
6,720
214
Hillsborough county
Oct 26, 2020
#4
  • Oct 26, 2020
  • #4
The best choice is the one that wont puke its guts out on the starting line...

A glide is a good place to start
 

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp
10 Year Member
Sep 1, 2010
7,387
2,745
194
Kearney, NE
Oct 26, 2020
#5
  • Oct 26, 2020
  • #5
Besides the not puking guys part, why would two forward gears be better than three for a drag race transmission? I picture being in the peak area of the power band more should be helpful.
Top fuel and funny cars are a different story than most Mustang engines, although it sounds like wikkedturbo408 is approaching those levels.
 

CarMichael Angelo

my rearend will smell so minty fresh,
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
10,641
8,909
234
Birmingham, al
Oct 26, 2020
#6
  • Oct 26, 2020
  • #6
7991LXnSHO said:
Besides the not puking guys part, why would two forward gears be better than three for a drag race transmission? I picture being in the peak area of the power band more should be helpful.
Top fuel and funny cars are a different story than most Mustang engines, although it sounds like wikkedturbo408 is approaching those levels.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
The day a 408 windsor approaches 8000 hp is the day somebody dropped a nuclear bomb down the intake.
 
Reactions: Adieu

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp
10 Year Member
Sep 1, 2010
7,387
2,745
194
Kearney, NE
Oct 27, 2020
#7
  • Oct 27, 2020
  • #7
CarMichael Angelo said:
The day a 408 windsor approaches 8000 hp is the day somebody dropped a nuclear bomb down the intake.
Click to expand...
You mean he’s not running plutonium methane fuel already?
Two speed automatics are 50’s and 60’s tech. Isn’t there a good 3 gear solution by now?
 
Last edited: Oct 27, 2020

Adieu

Easy there, this ain't a dating site.
20+ Year Stangneter
Mar 7, 2002
9,531
5,187
224
Oct 27, 2020
#8
  • Oct 27, 2020
  • #8
7991LXnSHO said:
You mean he’s not running plutonium methane fuel already?
Two speed automatics are 50’s snd 60’s tech. Isn’t there a good 3 gear solution by now?
Click to expand...
Not really.

It comes down to the TH400 and C6, both of which are heavy as hell, and power hogs. The C6 is also hard to find with a Windsor bell (they have integrated bells) and requires external safety measures at OP's power levels.

The 'glide is just... better.
 

CarMichael Angelo

my rearend will smell so minty fresh,
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
10,641
8,909
234
Birmingham, al
Oct 27, 2020
#9
  • Oct 27, 2020
  • #9
MustangIIMatt said:
Not really.

It comes down to the TH400 and C6, both of which are heavy as hell, and power hogs. The C6 is also hard to find with a Windsor bell (they have integrated bells) and requires external safety measures at OP's power levels.

The 'glide is just... better.
Click to expand...
Boring as hell on the street, but it is the premier sportsman drag racing trans. You can buy almost anything for that damn thing to make it handle a stupid amount of power, and it fits a fox better than a c4. A TH400 being the other choice when a 3rd gear is necessary..with the same bulletproofing that can be had from the aftermarket....It just don't fit, and it busts balls trying to put it in.

* The car don't care that it has a GM trans anymore than it cares if there is an LS under its hood.
 

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp
10 Year Member
Sep 1, 2010
7,387
2,745
194
Kearney, NE
Oct 27, 2020
#10
  • Oct 27, 2020
  • #10
Mike, you know I am not particularly brand prejudiced. I have a small power-slide transmission in my first car that’s hung up in line for the body shop. But it’s a 1961, and somebody should have come up with a better option by now. A Gear Vendors unit sounds like that improvement if someone has the money.

Racing - Gearvendors

GEAR VENDORS RACING APPLICATIONS ENGINEERING AND RACING The GEAR VENDORS uses a common vertex (cone) Raybestos clutch system. This means there is no parasitic loss through dragging and unapplied clutch pack. For this reason the GEAR VENDORS is the most efficient transmission on the market using...
www.gearvendors.com

The switch pitch convertor, 2 speed “Jetaway” (TH-300) was a technological step above the powerglide on a street and track car in my 65. I replaced it with a TH-350 when it needed rebuilt because I found one cheap and wanted a lower first gear. It does not drop out of the power band as much between shifts now. But I wish I had gone with a 2004R that was built to Grand National racing specs for the overdrive.

If there was a reinforced drive belt strong enough made of unobtanium, a CVT that allowed the engine to be at peak power Rpm’s for the length of the track. Too bad the newer, multi gear, truck automatics are so heavy.
 

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp
10 Year Member
Sep 1, 2010
7,387
2,745
194
Kearney, NE
Oct 27, 2020
#11
  • Oct 27, 2020
  • #11
Mike, you know I am not particularly brand prejudiced. I have a small power-slide transmission in my first car that’s hung up in line for the body shop. But it’s a 1961, and somebody should have come up with a better option by now.

The switch pitch convertor 2 speed “Jetaway” (TH-300) was a technological step above the powerglide on a street and track car in my 65. I replaced it with a TH-350 when it needed rebuilt. It does not drop out of the power band as much between shifts now. But I wish I had gone with a 2004R that was built to Grand National specs for the overdrive.

if there was a reinforced drive belt strong enough, (made of unobtanium), a CVT that allowed the engine to be at peak power Rpm’s for the length of the track.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
Help Figuring Motor Choice(Possible future turbo)?
  • jaygee15
  • Dec 14, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
13
Views
584
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jan 3, 2026
Jarhead67
J
Wheels-Tires LS mii swap and rear rim size/axle questions....
  • 78mIIman
  • Feb 2, 2025
  • 1974 - 1978 Mustang II Talk & Tech
Replies
6
Views
711
1974 - 1978 Mustang II Talk & Tech May 6, 2025
78 Mach1
J
Fox body - godzilla, coyote, or 408w stroker - Best route for budget build?
  • jaygee15
  • Jan 27, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
10
Views
4K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jan 30, 2025
2000xp8
SN95 Desktop 363 Engine Combination - Looking for input
  • WhiteCobra95
  • Sep 8, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
11
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Oct 6, 2025
Habu135
SOLD For Sale '92 LX Street/Drag car - WV
  • MikeyMustang
  • Apr 12, 2025
  • Fox Body Mustangs For Sale (1979-93)
Replies
4
Views
2K
Fox Body Mustangs For Sale (1979-93) Dec 31, 2025
MikeyMustang
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?