Dynaflow Or Turbo 400??

Discussion in 'Classic Buicks' started by IMaNAILHEAD, Mar 3, 2010.

  1. IMaNAILHEAD

    IMaNAILHEAD New Member

    I Have A 1963 Buick Lesabre With A 401 Nailhead 2bbl Rochester Carb With A 2 Speed Dynaflow.. But I Want To Know Which Ones Faster And Better 'the Dynaflow' Or 'the Turbo 400' Transmission?
     
  2. 66electrafied

    66electrafied Just tossing in my nickel's worth

    If I remember right, the Turbo 400 was just marginally faster, but it was only .1 of a second or so. Rear axle gearing is the major consideration, a transmission is only as good as the engine that drives it, and as fast as the axle will allow it. The Dynaflow was a nice smooth transmission, pull you from 0 to 120 in the same gear, whereas the 400 jerks you through 3 gears...

    The bottom line is that it's the Buick engine's torque that allowed the Dynaflow to be good, anything else hooked up to it would have probably been a dog.
     
    Last edited: Mar 3, 2010
  3. CameoInvicta

    CameoInvicta Well-Known Member

    ST400 hands down. The Dynaflow is more inefficient than the ST400, and because it's continually variable and doesn't use gears, that also slows you down.

    I'm putting a ST400 in my '62 as we speak - one of the best things you can do to the early Nailhead cars IMHO.
     
  4. IMaNAILHEAD

    IMaNAILHEAD New Member

    Hmmm Your Rite 66ELECTRAFIED.. And I Also Read That The Buick Dragsters Back In The 60's Used The Dynaflow..
     
    Last edited: Mar 3, 2010
  5. 401nailhead65

    401nailhead65 Wicked NAILHEAD

    I would go with the turbo 400 i have that in my 66 electra and its smooth to me if you want to really change it up go with a 200r4 for the overdrive. i believe eelco makes a good adapter kit
     
  6. 64Electra

    64Electra Alex BCA# 44430

    Just slap a four barrell on what you've got...Save lots of time, money, and headache!:TU:

    Yes, some of the old time dragsters used dynaflows!

    Kind of a case of don't knock it til you try it!
     
  7. rmstg2

    rmstg2 Gold Level Contributor

    For a driver you can't beat a Dynaflow. Probably the smoothest transmission in the world. If you are going to hammer on it go with the 400 Turbo.
    Even if the dyanflow was as fast it won't take the abuse.

    Bob H.
     
  8. Kqqlcat

    Kqqlcat Well-Known Member

    I have made the change from a Dynaflow to a TH400 in my 63 Wildcat and I will tell there is a big difference in power and it shows up in the increase in mileage. I was getting 12mpg now 18mpg on the hwy.. Well worth the change in my book.

    Pat
     
  9. The Riv

    The Riv Urban Legend

    Just idle curiosity, but if the TH350 in stock form
    will handle the power output of the engine in question,
    and uses less HP to operate, would it be an option to use it
    as well???
     
  10. Kqqlcat

    Kqqlcat Well-Known Member

    If you get a 65-66 ST400 out of a Buick it will bolt right up with a crank adapter otherwise you will have to purchase an exspensive transmission adapter kit.
    Pat
     
  11. 66electrafied

    66electrafied Just tossing in my nickel's worth

    Turbo 350s can't handle the torque, which is why they used TH400s. Not to mention the Turbo 350 uses a different bolt pattern, and I don't think they were ever mounted up to a Buick engine.

    Stick with the turbo 400; - it's an almost bullet proof transmission, but you'll have to get the crank adapter as described in a previous post.
     
  12. The Riv

    The Riv Urban Legend

    Please forgive me for the correction, but this article from
    page 62 of the 2003 December edition of hotrod.com (or
    Hot Rod magazine, I have a re-print given to me by a co-worker) Greg Gessler's '72 GS ran
    11.50's at 121mph on an all iron engine with 12.8:1 compression with a TH 350C. Forgive me again
    for the correction, but just wanted to show that it's possible! John.
     
    Last edited: Mar 6, 2010
    Waterboy likes this.
  13. CameoInvicta

    CameoInvicta Well-Known Member

    They can handle the torque if they are built up, but stock, the ST400 or Turbo 400 is superior.
     
  14. The Riv

    The Riv Urban Legend

    Did a quick check, and with 445 ft. lbs. of torque it would
    most likely send it to an early grave if you didn't keep your
    foot out of it! Imagine what a dual quad setup would do to it!!
     
  15. 66electrafied

    66electrafied Just tossing in my nickel's worth

    Thanks for the correction; - I figured it could be done, but with a 400 being a heavier transmission, why would anyone start with a 350 and spend the money building it up when a stock 400 is just as good? A 400 was always regarded as a bit of a slush box compared to the 350, but they can be built up to be just as snappy, with the added benefit of handling the torque right from stock.
     
  16. WRMDOVR

    WRMDOVR Member

    any help on a floor shifter for the 1963 dynaflow would be great
     
  17. Dan Hach

    Dan Hach Well-Known Member

    Didn't the 63 Wildcat have a flor shifter? Probably the same as the 62.
     
  18. 66electrafied

    66electrafied Just tossing in my nickel's worth

    Yes they did. I think it was the same set up as the 62. In 64 they changed it all when they went to the early Turbo 400, - sorry, Super Turbine 400. :D
     
  19. WRMDOVR

    WRMDOVR Member

    clarification.....i have since found out the engine and trans are from a 1962. I was able to get a 1963 Riveria floor shifter from a member here and it will work. The challenge is that the selector shifter on the dynaflo would not match with the Riv floor shifter detents. I ended up drilling a hole halfway up the dynaflow gear selector arm so to "clock" the pedulum motion that is very near to the Riv's detent pattern. i will need to modify the detents slightly.....but when you are doing stuff that is 100% custom this is to be expected.
     
  20. Dan Hach

    Dan Hach Well-Known Member

    Wasn't the 63 Riviera also a Dynaflow? The detents should all be perfect. Are you sure you don't have a 64 or 65 shifter?
     

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