What You Should Look For In A Planetary Gear Set For A Powerglide Transmission

What To Look For
Today, powerglide transmissions are reliable up to as much as 3000 horsepower in certain applications. The backbone of this entire system is the planetary gear assembly. The modern aftermarket gear set for powerglide transmissions should feature many of these upgrades as found in our own BTE powerglide planetary gear sets.

• Straight or spur cut gears are stronger and have less thrust loading
• USA made 9310 vaccumelt steel gears that have been heat treated and processed for maximum durability
• The output shaft is made of forged steel 
• Pins made from aerospace-grade steel
• A locking retainer system to reinforce and maintain the gear pinions
• A billet steel flange plate for the sun gear

BTE offers our planetary assemblies in long and short versions as well as in larger TH400 sized output shafts. We also have three first gear ratios 1.80, 1.98, and 1.69.  Each ratio is suited for specific types of cars, so please contact BTE if you need any assistance in choosing a ratio for your transmission.  

What To Avoid
The OEM powerglide was manufactured with two first gear ratios - 1.76 and 1.82. The 1.82 gear set is not suitable for most drag racing applications as its power limit is no more than ~ 550 HP engines in even lightweight cars.

Why? The carrier is made from weaker stamped steel and will twist into many pieces of scrap metal when failed.

Somewhere In Between
The 1.76 is stronger, featuring a machined steel carrier and heavier duty gears. However, the upper limit of the 1.76 for most cars is ~800 hp. Some may take more or less power as none of the parts were originally designed for high performance usage.

Maintenance
A well made planetary assembly should be relatively maintenance free, however, we do offer pinion and bearing replacement kits that are a recommended service item that should be replaced at least every two years. Be sure to also use quality transmission fluid that offers proper lubrication to keep things functioning properly.

Car of the Week: Dan Gefre's 1984 Malibu "Shagwag"

Welcome to the BTE Racing Car of the Week series, where we feature BTE customers and fans, and the cars (and trucks) they love to drive and race. Today, it’s all about Dan Gefre in Coon Rapids, MN and his 1983 Malibu Wagon. 

How did you get into racing?

Growing up, my grandpa was always building something fast or cool.

When and where was your first race?

I was 18 when I made my first pass in 2005. Brainerd International Raceway’s Wednesday Night Street Drags.

What model/year do you race now?

I bought my current car in 2006. It was stock. It is a 1983 Malibu wagon.

Does your car have a nickname?

The Shagwag 

Which BTE products do you use in your vehicle?

I bought a BTE 1.69 glide last summer.

What's under the hood?

I’ve had a ton of combos over the years but now it has a 409SBC with a billet wheeled 76mm turbo. I haven't run it much but so far at 15lbs of boost I've gone 8.81 @155. I can't run a boost controller in my class, and my car tends to wheelie. That's why I wanted the 1.69 first gear.

Why do you use BTE?

I'm really happy with the quality.