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I just bought a LUV w/383 that puts out some serious power. It has a 400T trans w/full manual valve body. Although this may be a great strip set up, it is not street friendly. Anyway, it started slipping (in to nuetral) yesterday while out cruising. Talking to a local trans shop (that does a lot of race and street stuff) I was told that the full manual valve body and constant full pressure will wear the trans quickly. He suggested something more street friendly, no full manual valve body would be more suted for a street/strip application. Anyone have any thoughts on this.
Until this LUV, all my other cars were 4spd muncie.
Would a Richmond T-10 4spd be a better choice for street use, longer life.

Turbo 400. They are almost bullet proof, with a lower first gear than a th350.

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Hammer to fit, paint to match.
If it aint broke, don't fix it.
There's always room for duct tape and bailing wire.

WATCH YOUR PIEHOLE!!!!!!

i would keep the turbo 400 i agree with grimace they are almost bullet proof.

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1980 chevy luv 4x4 1.8 liter
1979 luv long bed parts truck
1984 2wd isuzu pup parts truck

"A man who says it can't be done shouldn't interrupt a man doing it."

^^^^What they said!^^^^

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-1981 Chevy LUV, 283SBC, T350 Trans, White In Colour, Long Box, Never Ending Project!
-2001 F-350 Superduty XLT 7.3L Diesel Auto, Ext. Cab, Long Box, White In Colour
-1998 F-150 XL 4.2L V6 5spd , Reg. Cab, Flareside SB, Red In Colour

are you sure the linkage isn't slipping into neutral?
or is it a gradual slip and doesn't pull?

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03Cobra

Thanks.
I have not checked the linkage/cable yet, I don't have any technical info as to what to look for or how.
I did call TCI though, I was told that if the trans is in good shape there is absolutely no reason why it can not be daily driven. The only comment was that with a high performance motor/ trans thee is obviously more maintnance involved. But nothing out of the ordinary.
He suggested a 'Master Rebuild Kit' disigned for high perf transmissions, it runs about 140 through them, Summit sells it for a little less. He said buy the manual they have for it also for 25.00, it covers everything involved.
I think I will go that route.

I prefer a 400 if I go auto but I have a 4spd m21 behind a 480 horse 406 and never had a problem

TH400 is definitely a strong trans but I prefer a built TH350. its worth about .2 off your ET. If you have a TH 400 already then keep it.

I talked with Hughes about going with a Transbrake on the street and they said you will need to back the presure down by a different spring. The regulator spring is in the pump,and can be changed without removing the pump or transmission. The 400 is as strong as it gets and I would build what I had after you make sure it needs built,and change the spring in the pump. I would also save the spring and if you are going to the strip you can change it back until you are done playing.

The 350 takes less horsepower to turn and will give quicker time. Your converter will work in a 350 if you decide to change.Mount would be different and driveshaft length would be different.

Check shifter adjustment,Vacum to the modulater valve,Fluid Level and pull the pan and check the tube between the filter and the case. They are usually plastic and sometimes crack. If cracked it can suck air and not get the fluid needed.

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stripped and just a memory!

Thanks again, I will check that out when I get it out.
I ordered the rebuild kit from TCI through jegs should be here in a few days. I don't have the time to do it know with work, but soon.

The more you do to a stock transmission the quicker it will wear out. Heat is your main enemy. Some people put the little springs in and they take the balls out and whatever they else, like the manual valve body. You can spend $1500.00 on one if you want to. In a light truck like the Luv you can go with the right stall converter{ Ask someone who knows how to calculate this} and a stock Turbo 400, or a 700R4 and it will last for a long time, and get decent gas mileage if you are pulling a medium range gear. If you go for a four speed with a 4:56 or 5:13 or something like that behind a good running 383 you're going racing. And spending some Money. Did the guy you bought it from say anything about the trans might be going bad?

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I want to be different like everybody else.

No, nothing was mentioned.
After talking with a tech at TCI about it he told me it was not that big a deal to be running it on the street. We'll see, I think I'm gonna stick with it for now.