For the time being, just so the truck is mobile, my dad and i are going to rebuild my a518 with stock components until i save for the goerend converter and heavy duty internals. I am wondering if the trans will survive basic pump mods such as the fuel screw, 3200 rpm spring, star wheel etc etc. Any input? thanks

 

I got quite a few mods and my ol a518 is still goin. They are tough trannys, they may not get all your power to the ground but they take everything ya throw at em.

 

Some 518's put up with more abuse than they should be expected to survive. The weak points are the converter and flex plate. For the time being look into the TV adjustment and make sure that's all the way up so you get the best shift pressures possible on a stock set up. Fresh fluid wouldn't hurt either. You should be fine.

 

Bump the line pressure up a couple FULL turns from stock factory spec, throw in a basic shift kit, and it will hold for a long time with a stock converter.

 

does anyone know if they sell that linkage for the throttle lever on the trans? i know its incredibly wrong but ive had it ziptied to a different lever because the installer moved all my bolts and parts and lost it when i had the trans out. and my father has his own special mods he does to the valve body for a shift kit so it will shift semi-firm, but otherwise just rebuilding the trans and fresh fluid for it and the transfer case.

 

and i will upgrade to the 2nd gen flex plate and the goerend converter because i do plan on adding power at some point in time.