HELP! Opinions Needed on Dana 60 Rebuild

[70_440-6Cuda]

I hunted down a correct Dana 60 with the right BOM stamps etc. for my '70 440-6 with A32 Super performance Axle package w/ 4.10 Sure Grip.

I am working with a local shop I really like, they pulled it apart and it is in really good shape so just bearings and a quick refresh - the sure grip is in excellent condition.

Big question I can't decide on - it has 3.54 gears in it now and I cannot decide if I want to go for the 4.10 gears.  He said at over 50 mph it will be screaming, and freeway driving will be miserable.

For me the car is going to be a local cars and coffee, go to the grocery store vehicle, no long road trips I dont think.  But I do want to enjoy it, and don't want to be deaf driving on the freeway to get to a local car show 1 city over!  I do prefer the car to haul ass though, and am building a 500+ HP 6 Barrel 440...

What are you guys doing, and anyone have some experience with the 4.10 gearing long term?  I am holding up the rebuild because I can't decide!!

[mtull]

and don't want to be deaf driving on the freeway to get to a local car show 1 city over!  I do prefer the car to haul ass though, and am building a 500+ HP 6 Barrel 440...

Are you planning on stock exhaust including resonators?  Are you adding any sound deadener and/or undercoating?  It's been a while since I drove a 4:10 car, if I recall correctly 55 MPH = 3200 RPM depending on tire height.  Forum members may have different tolerance for noise types and levels so we could still inadvertently steer you in the wrong direction.  Have you come across any videos showing interior noise levels measured in decibels?

 

[RUNCHARGER]

440's are nice and torquey, trust me you want to leave the 3.54's in there. My HemiCuda was a 4.10 car so I swapped the 3.54 out and the proper 4.10 in. One drive to town and back and I reverted back to the 3.54. Matter of fact I had a friend with a 70 Six Pack Superbee that hired me to take his 4.10's out, well I pulled the cover and guess what it had 3.54's swapped in already as well. That gives you an idea that the 3.54's will seem low enough.

[tman]

My V code has A32 and I do have the 3.54gear.  I like it for driveability.

[70_440-6Cuda]

Thanks all!  Looks like 3.54 is the way to go!

I have not decided on exhaust yet but it is more about the overall experience - noise, vibration etc.  I sometimes get way too hung op on staying original.

I have no plans for any serious racing so I think the groups advice on 3.54 is spot on - Thanks!

[Brads70]

If your future plans include an overdrive you will not want the 3:54. I found it caused the engine to lug at hwy speeds...

[Katfish]

Agreed, I put in 3.73 and it's perfect with the 518 OD.

[70_440-6Cuda]

Ahhh, another fly in the ointment - I did not really consider an overdrive - so next question - what have you all done, if anything, for OD solutions?  Which of course changes the gear ratio selection.... rabbit holes!

I do not want to modify the tunnel or anything not bolt on that can be corrected back to original with relative ease.

[Katfish]

I went 518, which is a direct bolt-in.
Need a controller and transmission cross member.
There was a great thread on CudaChallenger that I mimicked.

[70_440-6Cuda]

@Katfish, did you have to make any modifications tot he tunnel or floor pan? 

That sounds like the way to go to me if not; I am not much of a trans guy, is there any kickdown linkage or anything like that needed?

[Katfish]

No tunnel mods, used my stock linkage.
It's a shame that forum went away.
Fantastic thread outlined all the steps along the way.

If you truly plan to drive the car, you won't regret it.

[Brads70]

While not popular with the purists, I went with a Keisler ( now silver sport)
A41 kit which is a GM 4L60 . Comes with all the required parts to bolt to a Mopar, even a driveshaft. The computer controller allows different shift points, hard/soft, convertor lock up speed etc... Its been in my car with a healthy 451 stroker over 10 years now with no issues..... and I don't baby it. No tunnel mods.

https://www.shiftsst.com/mopar/c233

[70_440-6Cuda]

@Brads70 thanks for the link - I really like this idea!  What rear gearing did you go with?

I have changed my plan a bit for my restoration - I have an original V code with the broadcast sheet so I am planning on putting it back as it came form the factory.  The engine is not #s matching, so I am going to take a few liberties with the drivetrain as long as it does not require any structural / body modifications.  So if the trans can be swapped back to original as a "bolt in" conversion, then that works for me.

Anyone else have any experience with this transmissions swap?  Pros or cons?  I really need to decide on rear gear ratio, so now have to decide on transmission / OD selection - I do want the car to drive nicely and I think this would be an excellent upgrade without diminishing overall value since it can be swapped easily.

Thanks everyone for the input - I am making some progress!

[Brads70]

@Brads70 thanks for the link - I really like this idea!  What rear gearing did you go with?

I have changed my plan a bit for my restoration - I have an original V code with the broadcast sheet so I am planning on putting it back as it came form the factory.  The engine is not #s matching, so I am going to take a few liberties with the drivetrain as long as it does not require any structural / body modifications.  So if the trans can be swapped back to original as a "bolt in" conversion, then that works for me.

Anyone else have any experience with this transmissions swap?  Pros or cons?  I really need to decide on rear gear ratio, so now have to decide on transmission / OD selection - I do want the car to drive nicely and I think this would be an excellent upgrade without diminishing overall value since it can be swapped easily.

Thanks everyone for the input - I am making some progress!

I originally had 3:54 but with my engine combo found the engine lugged unless I drove at about 80 MPH, law enforcement seemed to frown on that  so I installed 4:10 which solved the problem. Rev's at about 2400 at 65 MPH . It's been awhile ( 2012- over 10 years) but I didn't have to cut anything but I did have to fold over the seam where the firewall/tranny tunnel was. Not a "cheap option" but I liked how all the parts I needed came in the kit. I went for the stage 3 option.  There is other on here that also have this kit. Maybe start a thread asking for input from them also?

[Cudajason]

I went 518, which is a direct bolt-in.
Need a controller and transmission cross member.
There was a great thread on CudaChallenger that I mimicked.

Hey man, was that a bolt in with 440?  I thought you needed to replace the bell housing on the trans for a BB.  I guess that is still bolt in.   

Here is my thread on an OD swap, just on a SB. 

https://forum.e-bodies.org/engine-transmission-and-rear-end/4/rh-transmission-the-result/12648/