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greyDAK
Dodge Dakota
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7/10/2004
16:44:53
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 Subject: Chrysler 400
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Message:
Ok before you all jump down my throat, this is just a question.
Does the AX15 bolt to a Chrysler 400 block? I expect the 400 is essentially the same block as the 340/360, but with larger pistons (etc.). If so, and I know you will say the AX-15 wont survive, does it bolt up? If not, is there a suggestion for a which version of transmission will bolt up (4 speed or better but not to break the bank).
thanks in advance...
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vern
Dodge Dakota
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7/10/2004
20:34:50
|  RE: Chrysler 400
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Message:
no,
318,340 & 360 all small blocks,LAs blocks
361,383,400 big block,
413,426,440 RB raised block,big blocks
you need a 727 or 4 spd for a big block
or a adaptor plate for the motor to bell housing
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Martin
GenII
7/10/2004
20:38:13
|  RE: Chrysler 400
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Message:
The 400 it is a big block engine nothing like the the small block 273-360 engines. Why do you thing a AX15 would hold a behind a 400? The biggest thing dodge put that trans behind was the 3.9 V6. It might fit behind a small block though since the 3.6 is just a 318 missing 2 cylinders.
<----There Is A Real Dodge truck!
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Martin
GenII
7/10/2004
21:23:21
| RE: Chrysler 400
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Message:
Oh sorry vern you must have replied while i was writing my reply.
<----There Is A Real Dodge truck!
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greyDAK
Dodge Dakota
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7/10/2004
21:56:06
| RE: Chrysler 400
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Message:
Martin, Vern, thanks, your information is exactly what I have been told by my neighbor. I was hoping to stay with the 5 speed for "more driving fun" sake, but the neighbor showed me that he has a 727 transmission sitting in his driveway (rebuilt and working but not attached to anything). He said I could have it if I want. I am guessing that I can use an aftermarket gear selector like Lokar to keep the "on the floor" look.
Also, will need to do some serious manipulation of motor and tranny mounts not to mention the driveshaft.
thanks guys
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IntenseDak39
*GenIII*
7/10/2004
22:20:43
| RE: Chrysler 400
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all you would need is any type of aftermarket shifter like a B&M or Hurst... no need for the lokar stuff.
6.6 Lt. Big Block, 727 TF shift kit, 452 heads, edelbrock 750 cfm, .513/.513 284/300 crower cam, comp cams springs, comp cams pushrods, 1.5 roller rockers, dp intake, mopar ignition, mopar windage tray, dual exhaust w/ 40 series flowmasters, 4.10 gears, coilover drag suspension, approx, 3500 lbs
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greyDAK
Dodge Dakota
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7/10/2004
22:27:47
| RE: Chrysler 400
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Hey IntenseDak39, it looks like I might be following your lead here. I just sourced a 78 Chrysler 400 and a 727 (the motor is costing me but the tranny I'm getting for free). I just found out that I am running 3.21 gears on the 8.25 rear end. If I use the 727, should I up the gears to make it useful?
John (in Ottawa)
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rtdkota
R/T
7/10/2004
23:59:47
| RE: Chrysler 400
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Spend the $$$ and get a 8.75-- you'll snap the 8.25 like a toothpick.
Sam
www.socaldakota.com
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Kowalski
GenIII
7/11/2004
07:11:13
| RE: Chrysler 400
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Message:
Good advice - at a minimum, upgrade to the 9.25 rear, what rtdakota advises would be better. Any of you guys doing this swap should be advised if you're not getting the 400 and 727 together, the 727 was available to fit small blocks or big blocks, but not both. There are different bellhousings for the different applications, so be sure to get the right one.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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Martin
GenII
7/11/2004
11:12:34
| RE: Chrysler 400
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Message:
I am guessing you are puting the 400 and 727 in a Dakota if so Schmacher makes a swap kit for the engine and trans. That would make the engine swap much easier. There web site is www.engine-swaps.com. The got engine swaps kits for almost all the Mopars.
<<<
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greyDAK
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/11/2004
14:00:53
| RE: Chrysler 400
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good advise. I will check them out.
Of course I got some bad news this AM. What I thought was a 727 is not a 727. I am not sure what it is (900 something?). So the 400 purchase is not going forward. Maybe I'll stick to the original plan and go for the 340/360 if I can find one in my price range.
thanks guys
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Martin
GenII
7/11/2004
14:56:27
| RE: Chrysler 400
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Is It a 904 trans? Oh thats to bad a big block Dakota would be sweet but the small blocks are much easier on the budget. Good thing Schmacher makes kits for those engines to but not the 904 trans that i know of. Well good luck anyway.
<<<
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IntenseDak39
*GenIII*
7/11/2004
18:12:34
| RE: Chrysler 400
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Message:
my 8.25 must not be like a toothpick then...
I would stick with the 3.21 gears.. i am gonna be getting a set for my truck because the 4.10 gears are just god-aweful on traction and when you have a 3 speed auto, 70 mph comes at 3650 rpms with 26.5" tires.
I still would suggest the 8 3/4 if you have a genI or genII dakota. Easy to get the same lug pattern on the wheels and they fit those gen's better. And that way you can have a couple different carriers, one with 3.21 for highway and one with 4.10 for fun... and only take a few minutes to change them out.
And as kowaski said, make sure you do get the correct 727... the best hint is the flange for the starter sticks out a lot more than on the small block 727.
If you build your own mounts, you can easily do it on a budget. After selling my V6 and some of it's goodies, i probably ended up spending no money out of my pocket.
6.6 Lt. Big Block, 727 TF shift kit, 452 heads, edelbrock 750 cfm, .513/.513 284/300 crower cam, comp cams springs, comp cams pushrods, 1.5 roller rockers, dp intake, mopar ignition, mopar windage tray, dual exhaust w/ 40 series flowmasters, 4.10 gears, coilover drag suspension, approx, 3500 lbs
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moparjoe20
Dodge Dakota
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7/11/2004
18:55:47
| RE: Chrysler 400
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The 8 1/4 will hold up ok on street tires after you put a good sure grip in it(Auburn). The only time they are really weak is when thay have the factory open diff.
The '97+ style is much better than the older style because they beefed up the axles.
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IntenseDak39
*GenIII*
7/11/2004
20:12:46
| RE: Chrysler 400
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i have a factory open carrier in mine... but you are right, the 97+ axles have 29 splines while the earlier years were 27 spline.
The 8 1/4 is a lot better than most say it is. I am not saying it's indestructable... i am willing to bet a big pair of slicks would kill it pretty quickly... but that would probably only break an axle... not the whole carrier.
I have been doing a lot of "spirited" driving with mine and it's pretty neat... i'll leave two black lines whenever i nail it from a stop but one is always a few shades darker than the other :D
6.6 Lt. Big Block, 727 TF shift kit, 452 heads, edelbrock 750 cfm, .513/.513 284/300 crower cam, comp cams springs, comp cams pushrods, 1.5 roller rockers, dp intake, mopar ignition, mopar windage tray, dual exhaust w/ 40 series flowmasters, 4.10 gears, coilover drag suspension, approx, 3500 lbs
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greyDAK
Dodge Dakota
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7/11/2004
21:47:17
| RE: Chrysler 400
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the idea of useing what I have to save money is good (and easier to justify). Since this transmission is an unknown, I am now shying away from the 400 - and since there are a whack of available 318's sitting around (for less than $300 Canadian) I might just go that route first. There is one from an 81 New Yorker that I can get (including the transmission) that I can spend the winter making better. New intake, redo the valves, port and polish the heads, put on headers and a 600 cfm carb (or get a cam and a 700 double pumper). I think it might just fit a little better (less customizing) and for a brief time I can still use my AX-15 (saving the automatic for later so I can put a shift kit in it). I did a search for after market parts for the 400, and although they are there, they are a lot more expensive than the stuff for the 318/340/360. Also, with the 318, I should be able to get about 300 ftlbs of torque and around 250 hp (?). Any comments on this?
John
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FazDak
GenII
7/11/2004
22:34:19
| RE: Chrysler 400
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If your 904 shy be carefull buyin a 318/tranny combo. I have rarely ever seen a 727 behind a 318. Cop cars, special order tow packages and some trucks.
Dont be afraid of a 904 though, I have personally put 400+HP to a very well rebuilt one with no problem, and with the lighter recipricating mass in a 904 they do make you that much faster.
The whole trick is the rebuild and no it aint cheap. One way you can look at it......have you ever seen the engines Cheby put in front of Powerglides? Far as I know nothing like the ones people put in front of em for racing, and they are used ALOT.
It is not hard at all to get 300+HP and same TQ from a 318. Good machine work, decent pistons and a matched Edelbrock cam and upper kit will blow your mind. Dont forget though.......theres no replacement for displacement. If your going small block 360 is a better starting point. Or even better, a 390!! 318 with a 4" stroker kit!! woo hoo!
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greyDAK
Dodge Dakota
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7/11/2004
23:00:25
| RE: Chrysler 400
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Message:
interesting, never thought about that. The 360 is conciderably harder to get my mitts on (although if I can force myself to be patient it might just show up). Stroking the 318 sounds good too, of course it also sounds like $$ as well. The short term plan is to do as much of the work myself, and only farm out stuff that I cant do like the machine-ing. A few years ago, I cut my teeth on a SB Chebby rebuild - got the book, got the motor and a decent torque wrench and had at her. Except for screwing up the carb (I just cant seem to get it to work) the motor turned out pretty good (basic rebuild with a mild cam). So I am looking to do this for the Chryco motor over the winter.
got to get some basic ideas first and stick to them.
You guys are really helping me out here
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