The Dodge Challenger Message Board

I got an old A833 overdrive box kicking about and I been thinking about making a low cost alternative to a proper O/D box , like a 5 speed for example. Had a look on Brewers etc, any thoughts or experiences you can share with me

Adrian, I have no experience with them, only what I have read about the specifications of the internal mechanisms. The O/D unit of the A-833 was designed for economy usage. The countershaft has a 'weak' point. It's ridden directly on the soft alloy case. To make a performance unit, the countershaft can be installed with custom made steel bushings made on a Lathe which are then pressed into the case ends. Of course the bushing hole must be installed with a precision machine, like a jig bore or a Bridgeport Mill with a Rotary Attacehment. In other words, just drilling into the case and pounding in bushings aint gonna cut it. The bushings must be installed&staked with a precise press fit and be concentric to both the case and the shaft and made a slight bit 'softer' then the shaft steel for longevity. Also the size of the gear face is pretty small compared to the 18 spline unit and wont take a lot of torque. Maybe around 350 Ft. Lbs. sustained. A lot of work and money for a light duty unit. I also think this is why Jamie Passon is devoloping his O/D unit, and if this WAS a popular mod many MoPar dudes would have done it. Hope this helps.

This one I got is a cast iron cased item from a van or truck, that may take care of the case strength question. I think that you are dead right about the popularity of the unit tho Eddie......we'd all be using it right? The pattern that the drive takes is probably a limiting factor too. Thanks for the feedback

http://www.passonperformance.com/
Overdrive 4 speed and the official picture of the new 5 speed. Stopped dribbling yet Eddie

Adrian Worman wrote:http://www.passonperformance.com/
Overdrive 4 speed and the official picture of the new 5 speed. Stopped dribbling yet Eddie

It's sweet, but I also like the Keisler/Tremec's internal rail shifter over the old linkage/fork type. I am going to eventually buy one of those manual boxes,,it's gonna be a tough decision. I also like the Keisler's complete kit, dont know if Passon will have the same type of kit?

I like thePasson boxes just for the fact that they look like and are based on the factory box. The shifter mechanism is it's only shortfall that I can see. The new Keisler/Hurst 5 speed will be good choice because of it's smaller size, you dead right Eddie, it's a tough choice, Have to wait and see the tech articles in the muscle magazines when the Passon box gets released

I don't think the tech articles in Muscle magazines are completely unbiased as they rely heavily on the advertising revenue being paid by the very companies whose products are being "tested".

Dave's right, I E-Mailed R. Erenberg from mopar action. I asked him what he would choose,,the Keisler or the Passon for my upcoming '73' project. He wrote back saying I should wait till the Passon comes out! However, his crew installed the Keisler/Tremec in their A-Body and competed in the One Lap with it and encountered no problems and gave it high praise in their magazine. It will be while before I can save the money for it anyway,,but soon I will have to decide. On our trip I rode in AMC Bob's 5-Speed Tremec equipped Rebel,,it shifted hard, loose, and clean. I was very impressed with his powertrain set up.

Yeah that Reble was well sorted and tight. I was well impressed by it.