1st gear ratio ?

[Lee Valentine]

Manifold may have hurt torque.

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by Lee Valentine

Manifold may have hurt torque.

Almost certainly moved the power band up a few hundred RPM. At the very least.

Might be something the PowerGlide and current converter do not like. And will almost certainly not like a big RPM drop, a lower low gear set, say 2.08, may make it even worse. You shift sooner, at a lower tire speed and vehicle speed, and then try to accelerate with only the converter and the rear gear.

[Adger Smith]

Do an A-B-A test of the manifold change at the track to check that out.
The 1.96 you are talking about probably uses the heavier V8 planetary.
Could the original owner be mistaken and had a 1.98 that is the lite weight 6 cylinder planetary?
There is a substantial weight difference, I'm talking major lbs...
It takes some time and HP to get that heavy planetary moving.
The 1.98 also has one of the best % drop in shift RPM of all the aftermarket ratios. Anything lower than a 1.98 has more than a 50% drop in RPM and becomes power and weight as well as converter sensitive. Just the difference in (both trans were tricked out with lt weight parts) the 1.76 & a1.98 in my 3175 lb 660 HP Camaro was almost .25 sec.

[Lee Valentine]

I knew someone sharper than me would have some answers.

[Eman]

I don't know where you are but the weather for us has been slow this year. Comparing log books from last year same dates to this year et's are slower as the weather has been hot and humid.

[cameron4link]

I'm in Ontario Canada and hot hear also which is prob playing a part ! Thanks everyone for the help!

[dragracer502]

What Motor do you have?
330 hp Vortec head in my car. Powerglide 2.10 low gear, 5.38 rear and a 94 inch circumference rear tire and you should make the 1/4 mile finish line.