I'm getting conflicting opinions on whether to change out my PG to a th350. The PG is original and does fine(exception:gas milage). I own the 350 and it has been rebuilt.

Opinion: PG is more durable and less problematic and you should not change to 350.

Opinion: 350 gives better ratio, performance and will improve milage.

I'm looking for a consensus before I drop the PG.

Any suggestions?

thx - ms69

Powerglides are much more durable and stronger than 350s are. The only single part you need to upgrade is the high gear clutch hub, as the OEM one is cast iron and on a solid 1-2 shift they will bust. Other than that, just a decent overhaul kit and mods to the valve body are all it takes. The 3-speeds are very temperamental in terms of how well they will live based on shift timing. They normally like stronger intermediate sprags for 2nd gear to live. That said, most of the time in a heavier street or street/strip car the 3-speed will perform better due to a lower first gear ratio. The 350 and Glide are within 1/8" of each other in length, so the driveshaft will be the same either way, you just need to deal with the shifter, and you will need a different converter for your 350 since the input shaft has a different spline pattern than the Glide does. Many racers use a Turbo-splined input in their Glides though, since it is stronger due to its diameter. But, you cannot use a Glide converter with a 350/400 input shaft, it will not fit in there.

Thanks for the feedback!

I did the swap. Same situation as you. I had a TH350 in another car and it was a fresh rebuild. The seat of the pants difference was huge. You couldn't pay me enough to put the Glide back in. Not for a street car anyway.

Chad

Depends on how you want to drive the car. Daily driver? Go TH350. Fun car with power that you race occasionally and\or drive hard? Go PG.
I beat the pee out of my Malibu with a warmed over 350ci after I rebuilt the PG and then raced it. Not a problem. But I'd have preferred a TH350\400 for daily cruising.

Shiftworks can get you all setup with the shifter conversion and bracketry:
http://www.shiftworks.com/kits.htm

Good luck!

Ditto Spongebob & Hwystarjoe!

I swapped from a PG to a TH350 with a Transgo shiftkit. It was well worth it imho! Like Hwystarjoe said, if you are mainly street driving, I would go with a TH350. If you are going to drag race alot, go with the PG...


- Mark P.