518 Swap questions.

MBDale

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Hey guys,

My Aspen RT has a 360 LA with a 727. I’m thinking of a Overdrive Swap. If I want to change the transmission to an overdrive unit do I look for the ‘88-‘92 non lock-up 518 (so I can the same converter as my 727), or can I run a A500 (42RH)?? I’m thinking the 518 because it came behind a 360 right?
 

kkritsilas

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A500 should work as well. There are not many A500s around. The A518 is stronger, but possibly overkill for stock small block, 318 or 360. The A518 never came behind a 360, it came behind a Magnum 5.9L (which is a 360 block), but I don't know if the balancing of the LA and Magnum are the same. I do know one of the belhousing bolts did move slightly. It would be better to get a lock up vs. non-lockup transmission if possible if you are doing a lot of highway driving. Also, the A500 will be more efficient (less power loss) than the A518 (Just like the A904/A998/A999 is more efficient than the A727, and for the same reason).
 

80mirada

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A-518 entered production in 1989, for the 1990 model year, and was used behind 318 and the 360 starting 1991. The Magnum 318/5.2 wasn't available until the 1992 model and the Magnum 360/5.9 followed in 1993. I have a 1989 (1990) production 518, they were OD only until 1992, all 500s are OD and Lock-up.
 

Duke5A

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How is your motor built, how heavy is the car and what is the intended usage?

I ate three 500's behind a 400 HP 360 in my heavy Fifth Avenue. These were stock builds mind you. A 500 could be made to live behind 400 HP.

The 500 has the advantage of being smaller and more efficient. It'll put more power to the ground and has a slightly lower first gear than the 518. It would be my choice for a car that sees daily driver duties and cruising.

Depending on your usage you may or may not want lock-up. The 518 can be found in a non-LU variant, but these were only built during the first two years of the 518's existence. The 500 was never produced without LU. The easiest way to tell if a 518 has LU is to look at the overdrive plug. If it has three pins it has LU, if it has only two then it does not.

Overdrive and LU are both electronically controlled by powering up solenoids with 12v. You can either do this by hand with switches, or automate it with a vacuum switch and a couple of pressure switches. I did this to my car and it isn't complicated at all. I can help with this if you want.
 

MBDale

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How is your motor built, how heavy is the car and what is the intended usage?

I ate three 500's behind a 400 HP 360 in my heavy Fifth Avenue. These were stock builds mind you. A 500 could be made to live behind 400 HP.

The 500 has the advantage of being smaller and more efficient. It'll put more power to the ground and has a slightly lower first gear than the 518. It would be my choice for a car that sees daily driver duties and cruising.

Depending on your usage you may or may not want lock-up. The 518 can be found in a non-LU variant, but these were only built during the first two years of the 518's existence. The 500 was never produced without LU. The easiest way to tell if a 518 has LU is to look at the overdrive plug. If it has three pins it has LU, if it has only two then it does not.

Overdrive and LU are both electronically controlled by powering up solenoids with 12v. You can either do this by hand with switches, or automate it with a vacuum switch and a couple of pressure switches. I did this to my car and it isn't complicated at all. I can help with this if you want.


I’d really appreciate the help and advice Duke5A!! My 360 makes 400 HP. As per dyno. A 500 has come up locally for sale, it was behind a early 90’s Dakota. This got myself reading on Overdrive swaps. Ideally I’d like a 2-pin 518 because then I could use my new 3000 stall from my 727. If I can’t find one, I’ll go with a 3 pin. One of my questions is that I found a 1995 Ram with a blown 518. Would that 518 being a 1995, would it still be a 46RH transmission? I’m betting it be a 3 pin though. And that’s ok. To answer your question about intended usage and weight, the cars is being used on the street, full interior, no AC, weekend driving, some strip time. It’s an Aspen RT, I’m guessing @ 3600 lbs. Thanks for everything!
 

89.Fifth

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I also picked up an A500 not too long ago. My plan is to build it up and put it behind a nice mild 318. I would love to see any pics or diagrams of how you got all the wiring and solenoids going. That in my mind is the hardest part to get right.
 

Duke5A

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@MBDale Yeah, that would be a 46RH. 1995 was the last year for the hydraulic models. It's also a lock-up unit. You'll need to find one from 1990 I think. Don't be so quick to toss LU though. Goes a ways for fuel mileage.

@89.Fifth The wiring is stupid easy. Don't be at all intimidated by it. One adjustable vacuum switch, one 5 amp fused 12v supply, and one pressure switch (or two if you have LU).
 

MBDale

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I also picked up an A500 not too long ago. My plan is to build it up and put it behind a nice mild 318. I would love to see any pics or diagrams of how you got all the wiring and solenoids going. That in my mind is the hardest part to get right.


You might want to check out 42RH Swap: ‘80 Volare. Under transmission section.
 

8T2TOP

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Don't forget about floor pan work and different trans member and mount, cooler lines,cooler drive shaft mods..
 

MBDale

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@MBDale Yeah, that would be a 46RH. 1995 was the last year for the hydraulic models. It's also a lock-up unit. You'll need to find one from 1990 I think. Don't be so quick to toss LU though. Goes a ways for fuel mileage.

@89.Fifth The wiring is stupid easy. Don't be at all intimidated by it. One adjustable vacuum switch, one 5 amp fused 12v supply, and one pressure switch (or two if you have LU).

The trans just might have to be a Lock-Up unit, I’m at work right now and get home Monday the 19th. I’ll find out more next week. Have a guy checking his auto yard for me. He’s just out of town a little way. This 3 weeks out and 1 at home is killing me. Nightshift too. Hopefully this project is done in December. I’ll make a post next week and see where we’re at.
 

Duke5A

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My Dad's Diplomat coupe has a non-LU 518. He wanted it without LU for the same reason as you. Just the year before he spent $600 on a nice Turbo Action converter for the 727 that was already in the car. I looked around for a couple weeks and eventually found one on Craigslist about an hour north of us. Was already pulled and sitting in a junkyard. $100 and gas money brought it home and I think he put $800 into it at a shop for a basic refresh.

If you've already seen the 500 how-to then you know exactly what needs to be done tunnel wise. The mods are exactly the same between the 500 and 518.

If you're going to be under the car with a welder already it's a great time to add sub-frame connectors.
 

Aspen500

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@MBDale Yeah, that would be a 46RH. 1995 was the last year for the hydraulic models. It's also a lock-up unit. You'll need to find one from 1990 I think. Don't be so quick to toss LU though. Goes a ways for fuel mileage.

@89.Fifth The wiring is stupid easy. Don't be at all intimidated by it. One adjustable vacuum switch, one 5 amp fused 12v supply, and one pressure switch (or two if you have LU).
Not sure if you were talking about the 500 or 518 but, my 1996 Dakota is only electronic for OD and lock up, 1st thru 3rd uses the TV ("kickdown") cable and will work even if the trans is unplugged. Just some useless trivia:D
 

BudW

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One thing that is overlooked is the torque converter. Sometime after the Magnum engines came out (mid ‘90’s?), Chrysler finally moved the balance weights from converter to the flexplate. Also, they changed the torque converter hub from a slot (which is known item to crack) to a flat.
TC slot vs flat hub.png


A727 A518 flat pump gear.jpg


The Torque converters and front pump gear sets will interchange as a pair (ie: slot converter with slot gears, and flat converters with flat gears). The flat converters give significantly less trouble than the slot design does, and I highly encourage anyone looking at a trans rebuild to go with a flat converter (unless you already have an expensive race-only torque converter).


The A518 (46RH, etc.) is heaver and would be excellent if a person has a high HP car or constantly drives hard. If you have a stock or mild 318 and looking for mileage, the A500 (42RH, etc.) would be recommended because of the better first gear ratio.

Personally, I do recommend going with lockup converter – even if you have lockup disabled. Lockup does give about 10% better fuel mileage and reduces a lot of heat buildup inside of the torque converter. My 400 stroker build, will have a working lockup system (once I decide to go with overdrive (A518) or without (A727). At this point, I’m leaning towards the big block A518.

I hope this helps.
BudW
 

MBDale

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Just a quick update here guy. I’d like to also thank everyone for their advice, help and experience on this. I’ve also got a A518 3 pin lined up to pick up when I get home from working out of town. Hopefully have some pictures here soon. Thanks!!
 

MBDale

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Did some YouTube research. When I got the transmission, the guy gave me the solenoids. I’m guessing I just need the switches that bolt to the Intake and a kick down cable? Will my Loker one for my 727 work??

68878F61-9BF9-47B3-BFD7-347437E7839A.png


233A21C9-F3B0-4CA1-96E3-CEFA07ECF125.png
 
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Duke5A

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I'm not using solenoids. Just the hardware shown in the PATC kit. The vacuum switch is mounted on the firewall behind the motor and the pressure switch is mounted to the transmission on the passenger side. What wiring diagram are you using?
 

MBDale

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Ahh, I see what’s going on. I’ll be using the wiring diagram that’s with the PATC kit. I’ll come up with the brass fittings for the pressure switches. Also eventually get the transmission looked at too.
 

BudW

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Will my Loker one for my 727 work??
Yes, it will. The A727 and A518 do use the same linkages (shifter and kickdown) and cooler lines.

68878F61-9BF9-A.png

I have three concerns:
1 - The rear bracket (blue arrow) is originally for all small block 4-bbl Chrysler vehicles EXCEPT for A and F-body. It uses the (what I call the) 1-piece kickdown linkage instead of the 3-piece linkage system that A and F-body uses. If you were to use the 1-piece kickdown linkage, the linkage would hit the firewall before achieving WOT (Wide Open Throttle). Sense you appear to be using Lokar cable system – then this will not be a problem. The rear bracket (blue arrow) can be used without any issue.
Now with that said, linkage pieces marked by white arrow’s will not be needed if you are using the Lokar cable system and removing both pieces will remove some clutter (unless needed for the throttle position sensor).

Note: the hole in rear bracket which is sorta marked by the blue arrow is where your PVC hose goes through. It is so the hose will not interfere with the linkage parts. Having the hose misrouted can cause car to be stick in a WOT condition which generally results in a BAD DAY.

2 - This relay (green arrow) is not placed in a good position. From this picture it might cause interference with the carburetor linkage which could result in a WOT condition (which, also, results in a BAD DAY) – but maybe it is only my eyes playing a trick on me. I would feel a lot better if the relay was placed in a better position.
The second reason I don’t recommend the relay in that location is with Chrysler small block intakes – the middle four bolts (like the one to hold down that bracket) are very difficult to access, as is. With that bracket in place – it might be almost impossible to get that particular intake bolt into place (or tight if you could get the bolt started).
I would highly encourage you to find another location for the relay.

3 - My last concern is the overall height. I just don’t see that carburetor fitting under a stock FMJ hood. Hopefully it will.
BudW
 

Camtron

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I second the Lokar, kick down cable to avoid messing around with the standard linkage and clearance issues. They also offer linkage, brackets/mounts for different carbs and car manufacturers, they really help clean things up and looks damn good when you have the hood up.
 
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