Best choice for L-Body transmission upgrade?

[Mysterio]

I've got an 87 charger with a 525 that whines like crazy in 4th and grinds going into 5th so the cars been sitting for a while. Since I need to replace the transmission I'm going to pull the motor as well and give it a rebuild and throw the upgrades I have onto it. Not trying to make any insane power but I know the 525's are weaker and I'll probably just break another one so what is my best option for upgrading? I'm looking for something that won't cost me an arm and a leg and is a fairly straight forward swap. I've read up on swapping a 555 in and it's pretty basic and something I can handle. I believe I read something about a 568 in a lbody? What are the other options besides a 555 and what is required to put it in?

[rbryant]

Just get a 523 with a 3.50 or 3.77 Final Drive. Both will work great in the lbody without the expense of the 568.

If you really want the best 523 then take the gears from a 3.77FD 523 and use them with the older 3.50FD ring and main gears. The newer gears form the 3.77FD are stronger but the gearing is a bit low for the lbody. While you are at it stick an OBX LSD in there.

The 523 is much easier to find, its cheaper, and it even has some advantages over the 555. You will need the shifter and cables from the transmission you use and will also need to drill one hole for the second shifter cable (one cable can use the automatic transmission shifter cable hole).

I always get an lbody automatic shifter base plate to cleanly cover the hole where the 525 shifter was and put the new shifter on top of it..

-Rich

[roachjuice]

555. pretty much bolt in. 4 pinion diff. ive given mine hell for 3 years now. never missed a lick.

---------- Post added at 11:01 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:00 AM ----------

or a 523 as stated above. both nice transmissions.

[rbryant]

555. pretty much bolt in. 4 pinion diff. ive given mine hell for 3 years now. never missed a lick.

---------- Post added at 11:01 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:00 AM ----------

or a 523 as stated above. both nice transmissions.

Yea it comes down to what you find and the price.

I just happen to like the 523/568 family better than the 520/555. Some of it might simply be the look of the case on the newer trans with the nice aluminum end rather than the stamped steel cover. The 523/568 also don't need the upgraded Chromoly plate. The 523 can also use the Neon shifter and one of the cables which makes parts easier to find.

IMO 523+OBX > 555 for a similar price. (assuming the labor of the OBX install is cheap or DIY).

I have a hybrid 568 with a 523 3.77 Ring/Main and OBX in my GLHS but then again I already had the 568 from a previous upgrade before the OBX existed.

If I already had a 555 then I would have used that. :)

-Rich

[135sohc]

http://www.turbo-mopar.com/forums/showthread.php?61578-555-trans-w-4-pinion

It doesnt get much better than that.

[rbryant]

http://www.turbo-mopar.com/forums/showthread.php?61578-555-trans-w-4-pinion

It doesnt get much better than that.

That is a heck of a deal.

-Rich

[amx364]

What power range are you looking for? What cost? Do you need limited slip? How far from stock will you go?
If stock power cheapest is your 525. Why? You can pick up 525 for 50-75 dollar range. Shifter and axles stay the same.
If T2 to 250 hp range would use 555. shifter can be made to work. You will need to change axles to what is listed in sticky. 555 can use Quaife limited slip.

22mopar trans would be a steal. Shipping is most of the trouble.

[shelbymonster]

if you can find a shadow with a 520 and get the cables and shifter , mines was like that and had a great gear ratio , people always swap them for a 555 but mine did hold enough power

[22mopar]

That is a heck of a deal.

-Rich


and yet I can't get any takers.

[roachjuice]

I would buy it. But shipping is the killer.

[turbovanman²]

Also, isn't there is a kit being sold on here to retain the rod shifting, so that makes it even easier to swap over.

Can't find the thread.

Here's a kit on Ebay-

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170699816079&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649




and yet I can't get any takers.

You will, just be patient.

[rbryant]

Also, isn't there is a kit being sold on here to retain the rod shifting, so that makes it even easier to swap over.

Can't find the thread.

Here's a kit on Ebay-

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170699816079&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649




Good point I forgot about that... It isn't the cheapest way but it is probably the cleanest.

Omni Potent has one too:

http://www.omnipotentparts.com/product_detail.htm#Transmission Shifter

-Rich

[cordes]

Rod shift a 520 or 555. I like the stock look it provides and you don't have to cut up your car either.

[roachjuice]

Cut up your car? I drilled 6 holes total. 2 for the cables and 4 for the mounting.

[tryingbe]

There are a lot of factory "cut up" cars with A520, A555, A523, A543, & A568.

[Mysterio]

What do the 523's come in so I can look around? My only issue with throwing a 555 in is that I cannot find any locally and as good of a deal as mopar22's is(I already saw the thread before this), the shipping kills me.

What needs to be done to install a 523? Are the axles the same a the ones with the 525? Is mounting the shifter & drilling a hole for the cable the only difference between installing a 525 and a 523?

I dont think I'll be throwing an LSD in as I don't have the extra money for that. I'd like to just get the car running and driveable again. Currently my parts list is ported intake & exhaust manifolds. Built swirl head from TU. Garrett T2 .63AR, 3'' exhaust. fmic, 3bar, etc. I'm just trying to make the car run to tool around in and make it enjoyable to drive. I've got forged pistons & rods but the motor will need to be machined for them since they're larger and that again is something I don't have money for but would definitely love to do eventually.

[135sohc]

Anything 1990 and newer (besides 90 L body).

[cordes]

Cut up your car? I drilled 6 holes total. 2 for the cables and 4 for the mounting.

I've seen a lot of hack jobs over the years.

[Mysterio]

Anything 1990 and newer (besides 90 L body).

What specific models is that. Shadow, spirit, what else?

[tryingbe]

Any manual 2.2/2.5 90 and newer would have A523 or A568.

[turbovanman²]

You will need axles, yours are small spline, so you need axles from a 88+ AUTO L body.

[135sohc]

My preferance would be to find something from a TBI car. Less power put through it, potentially less abuse and wear as well.

[Mysterio]

I actually just did a car-parts search and there's tons of transmissions within 70 miles of me some of which are lower mileage, some not. Most of them dont have specific details listed though so I'd need to call and see what transmission it actually is and cost and what not.


1993
Transmission
Dodge Shadow 7-92,2.2,5SPD,FLR TSTD DS A X-0146 $150

For example.

[roachjuice]

You will need axles, yours are small spline, so you need axles from a 88+ AUTO L body.

90 model auto.

[22mopar]

What do the 523's come in so I can look around? My only issue with throwing a 555 in is that I cannot find any locally and as good of a deal as mopar22's is(I already saw the thread before this), the shipping kills me.

What needs to be done to install a 523? Are the axles the same a the ones with the 525? Is mounting the shifter & drilling a hole for the cable the only difference between installing a 525 and a 523?

I dont think I'll be throwing an LSD in as I don't have the extra money for that. I'd like to just get the car running and driveable again. Currently my parts list is ported intake & exhaust manifolds. Built swirl head from TU. Garrett T2 .63AR, 3'' exhaust. fmic, 3bar, etc. I'm just trying to make the car run to tool around in and make it enjoyable to drive. I've got forged pistons & rods but the motor will need to be machined for them since they're larger and that again is something I don't have money for but would definitely love to do eventually.


I'm sending one to NJ and one to AZ total price shipping and the trans is under $200. you can't even find one in the JY for that kind of money. theh "shipping kills me" is a farse. still cheaper than taking days of hunting, then pulling vs. $100ish in shipping and no effort what so ever to pull.

[roachjuice]

I've seen a lot of hack jobs over the years.

Actually come to think of it I only drilled 4 holes. I reused 2 from the 525 shifter. If you don't like bare holes get the factory rubber plug that the cables go through.

[Mysterio]

I'm sending one to NJ and one to AZ total price shipping and the trans is under $200. you can't even find one in the JY for that kind of money. theh "shipping kills me" is a farse. still cheaper than taking days of hunting, then pulling vs. $100ish in shipping and no effort what so ever to pull.

I must not have looked and didn't realize your 555 was only $75. I was assuming it was $200 + shipping. But either way at this point that trans has sold.

But for now I'm going to call that JY with the tranny out of the 93 shadow I listed above. See what kind of mileage was on the car when it was pulled. That JY is only 40 miles away from my house so for $150 it makes the trip worth it since it's nice and close.

[tryingbe]

90 model auto.

88-90 auto omni.

[cordes]

88-90 auto omni.

+1 They received the large spline auto trans starting in 88'.

[roachjuice]

Learn something everyday.

[cordes]

Learn something everyday.

It's not a bad idea to ask for 90' axles though. I've found that it's harder for the parts guy to mess that up.