strength of 8 1/4

[dansdart]

I have a 76 Dart Sport 360, 833od, 391's, 26x8.5 MT slicks. Car runs constant 14.55 at 97mph here in El Paso at 3700 feet. I'm happy with it performance. Now comes the question. Any body else out there running a similar combo? Also has a sure grip. Guys I need to know the truth is this 8 1/4 gonna live? This is my first mopar. The 8 3/4 for the A body is getting rare to find.

[rumblefish360]

MoPar says the 8 1/4 will hold up fine. Just don't abuse it on a daily basis. The weak link is the c-clip inside.
This rear should not be used in a high performance car on a winding road course. The C-clip could brake off.
The 8 3/4 is a better/stonger set up. (NO C-clip) IF you can hunt one down, do so. You can install it yourself when the other one gives out later on down the road.

[Dart]

8 3/4 is the way to go. If you can't find one, have a C-body or a B-body one cut down. Besides your '76 should have large bolt pattern (5x4.5") and most of the A-body 8 3/4's (99%) are small bolt (5x4.0"). You would need to drill the hubs or get new axles and rear brakes for the new axle to match your bolt pattern in the front.

[This message has been edited by Dart (edited November 30, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by Dart (edited December 05, 2000).]

[Tim_K]

NO NO NO NO NO Dart, YOU ARE WRONG! A 4 speed transmission with overdrive IS an A-833! Chrysler just rearranged the gears to get an OD ratio in there somewhere. I don't know where this "3+OD" B.S. got started, IT IS AN A-833 4 SPEED OVERDRIVE!!!
Does a Neon have a 4+OD gearbox? NO! It has a 5 speed (with OD in it).
Does a Viper have a 4 speed + double overdrive? NO! It has a 6 speed (with OD in it)!
Someone please tell me HOW Chrysler took a 3 speed gearbox and got an OD ratio in it and made a 4 speed out of the 3 speed. A 3 speed has 2 shift levers on the side cover, whereas a 4 speed has 3.
A-833 4 SPEED OVERDRIVE ! People, get it into your thick F$%&ing heads already!!! AAAHHHHHHH!!!!!

Dart, I don't mean to go off on you personally, I'm just sick and F#$%ing tired of the 4 speed overdrive A-833 being called a 3+OD. I just heard it one time too many when I read this post.

And dansdart, that 8-1/4 should be ok for you.

[dschumers]

dan, With a 4-speed and slicks, I would be looking for an 8 3/4 because the 8 1/4 is gonna die. I wouldn't be real concerned about the 4-speed. The OD 4-speeds did have bearing problems because third gear (Formerly 4th) ran straight through, and 4th gear (Formerly 3rd) ran through the cluster. It is however, an 833 and is pretty tough as far as gear strength. Dennis

[Dart]

Hey Tim_K - I did a little research about the OD 833. I was confused with the 3speed. You are correct in saying that the 833 OD trans is the same as the Non-OD 833. The only thing in question is the fact that the case is, on some, is made of aluminum. This could affect the strength of the trans, but no one knows. It is considerbly lighter than the cast one. So you are correct.

[This message has been edited by Dart (edited December 05, 2000).]