[Scott Stoneburg]

Guys, what's the advantage of a reverse pattern valve body? I've been using a forward pattern manual valve body trans for so many years. I will be pulling the trans this week for a freshen up. I'm debating adding a trans brake for later use. I'm not positive on that yet. Just looking for input.

[chuckies76ta]

Hi Scott, We run a Hughes Reverse Valve body. HR2211R. It has no trans brake. It also has no engine braking. The nice thing about is when driving on the street, you leave it in drive or 3rd and shift to first when you come to a stop sign or stop light. Never issues with rear tire chirping on slowing down. Also nice thing about it is it shift from front to back so when on the track you just keep hitting it downward, not forward. It doesn't use any check balls in the tranny unless you use the trans brake version. It also shift a bit soft, depends on converter, but 1st to 2nd and 3rd are not window shattering. Reverse a bit harsh but still shifts nice in reverse. You can still do the dual feed on a TH400 with this valve body. I just built a Reid Th400 with this valve body. Not tested yet. I built a Gm Case TH400 last year and was really nice. If your after a 1000 hp build on a TH400 let me know. I'll send what I used. Folks on the board help me choose parts and as well a shout out to Cliff's Th400 book.

[Scott Roberts]

Originally Posted by Scott Stoneburg

Guys, what's the advantage of a reverse pattern valve body? I've been using a forward pattern manual valve body trans for so many years. I will be pulling the trans this week for a freshen up. I'm debating adding a trans brake for later use. I'm not positive on that yet. Just looking for input.

Pulling instead of pushing gear and I suppose it could save from catastrophic failure by pushing into reverse with a forward pattern. I did that at about 30mph in a Chevelle with a questionable shifter when I was a teenager. I wound up wrapped around the steering wheel..lol
Over all, I don't believe there is any mechanical or performance benefit..

[Scott Stoneburg]

Thanks for the info, my current shifter ( Pro Stick) has pretty solid lock outs so the 3rd to neutral or even worse, 3rd to reverse is nearly impossible. I was just concerned about the 3rd to neutral when using a reverse valve body. What if I don't shift fast enough does it hit 1st? Thinking about a trans brake but not sure of the ability to get it hooked on the launch with a brake.

[Skip Fix]

Scott Jake's Transmissions makes a forward manual valve body/transbrake. I figured I have been shifting "forward" for so many years my brain could not do a reverse pattern.

I think they are the only ones making a non reverse pattern trans brake.

[Scott Stoneburg]

Never heard of Jake's Transmissions. You've had good results from theirs? Where are they located?

[Skip Fix]

Scott trans is sitting in the shop for a swap later this year.
https://shop.jakesperformance.com/home
They dyno test trans before shipping. They were back ordered for months on the solenoid for that valve body so it took 6 months to get it.

[Dragncar]

Originally Posted by Scott Stoneburg

Guys, what's the advantage of a reverse pattern valve body? I've been using a forward pattern manual valve body trans for so many years. I will be pulling the trans this week for a freshen up. I'm debating adding a trans brake for later use. I'm not positive on that yet. Just looking for input.

I went to a reverse pattern T brake and love it. It becomes second nature shortly, BUT it took me a good season to start winning at the track again as I had been foot braking for so long.
I do my burnouts in 2nd with the new valve body.
Jakes has a very good reputation.

[ponjohn]

What is a clean neutral?

[Scott Stoneburg]

I think that means there is no gear braking when down shifting. So with a reverse pattern to go from 3rd to neutral there is no chance of going to 2nd or 1st. At high speeds.

[73 TRANSAM]

Clean neutral VB option, this will allow you to put it on Neutral at the end of the run without the danger of a drum explosion from excessive rpm. It spins 2.5X your engine rpm.

[dragracerx2813]

Originally Posted by Skip Fix

Scott Jake's Transmissions makes a forward manual valve body/transbrake. I figured I have been shifting "forward" for so many years my brain could not do a reverse pattern.

I think they are the only ones making a non reverse pattern trans brake.

There is one other company making a forward with a brake. I just can’t remember who it is off the top of my head.

[Dragncar]

Originally Posted by 73 TRANSAM

Clean neutral VB option, this will allow you to put it on Neutral at the end of the run without the danger of a drum explosion from excessive rpm. It spins 2.5X your engine rpm.

Yes, you just click it into neutral after your run and slow down with brakes only.
All those years of starting my burnouts in 1st and clicking 2nd, then downshifting after the run and not hurting something, very lucky.
No one wants a cast iron drum blowing though your floor pan.

[Scott Stoneburg]

Originally Posted by 73 TRANSAM

Clean neutral VB option, this will allow you to put it on Neutral at the end of the run without the danger of a drum explosion from excessive rpm. It spins 2.5X your engine rpm.

Thanks for the clarification on that. 👍

[chuckies76ta]

Originally Posted by Scott Stoneburg

I think that means there is no gear braking when down shifting. So with a reverse pattern to go from 3rd to neutral there is no chance of going to 2nd or 1st. At high speeds.

From what I understand with most of these after market valve bodies, because of no engine braking they specifically say not to shift out of 3rd gear while vehicle is moving.

[Mr Anonymous]

If you want your reverse manual valve body to seem normal and shifting forward, mount the shifter backwards like a lot of folks do, especially those "street racers" on the ol Teee-Veee. 3-2-1-N-R-P as you pull it back. And I will freely admit, it would make a front exit shift cable easier to route if it is now pointing toward the back of the car.

[Scott Roberts]

Originally Posted by Mr Anonymous

If you want your reverse manual valve body to seem normal and shifting forward, mount the shifter backwards like a lot of folks do, especially those "street racers" on the ol Teee-Veee. 3-2-1-N-R-P as you pull it back. And I will freely admit, it would make a front exit shift cable easier to route if it is now pointing toward the back of the car.

I must not be a lot of folks.....

[Mr Anonymous]

Originally Posted by Scott Roberts

I must not be a lot of folks.....

I'm not either, but its "catching on". I have enough trouble otherwise that I dont need to retrain myself on how to shift it. I'd like to avoid the 3-2 "connecting rod removal" shift.

[Scott Roberts]

Originally Posted by Mr Anonymous

I'm not either, but its "catching on". I have enough trouble otherwise that I dont need to retrain myself on how to shift it. I'd like to avoid the 3-2 "connecting rod removal" shift.

Lol..3-2 rod removal shift..

[Johnny406]

Another option is a Kilduff shifter