Question: "Could the valve body mods in the BB Stage 1 be dduplicated, and are they...? What would it cost,and who is doing it( if anybody) Would it diminish the value of the BB/ OW Valve Bodies... Mr.Jay B.Britt,Jr.
I don't think it can be duplicated exactly, and I know of no one who has done it. There are some other valve bodies that come close, the early 70's big car transmissions I think. This article by Mark DeConti explains it best I think, http://www.buickperformanceclub.com/SPTrans.htm The 3-1 downshift at speeds below 35 MPH was a big contributor to the street reputation of the 70 Stage 1. I remember Denny Manner saying that he had to fight with Hydramatic to get that calibration for the BB transmission, they felt it would compromise the durability and longevity of the transmission I really think that in a modified BBB of 500 HP + that it would be a waste because that kind of downshift would roast even drag radials on the street. Back in 1970 though, if the car hooked, it was gone in a flash.:eek2:
Ya, I just spent a few days refining my shifting feel in a 70BA trans, with my 9.5" converter. This was in a very nice 70 Frame off GS 455 convert owned by one of my customers. I built the motor and trans for it, and had the opportunity to play with it a bit, to refine my combo. One thing I did in that process was utilize the .493 step 1-2 valve, and with that, this trans would in fact downshift 3-1 at any speed below 40mph. So yes, it can be done, one would simply need a B/C valve body from a 72-73 big car trans, to get the correct size 1-2 valve and sleeve. Other than the 3-1 downshift at higher speeds, there is no real difference in operation with the standard and BB/OW valve body. JW
Jim, could I assume if I could find a 72-73 Buick/ Cadillac TH-400 Transmission, would that duplicate the downshift action of the BB/ OW TH-400 Transmissions...? Mr.Jay B.Britt,Jr.
