Cuda,
Awesome! I think you were one of our first customers a few years back. Thank you so much for having faith in our idea. There are a couple of things you can do regarding engine braking and more products in the works.
In the Present:
1) Drop your floor shifter down into 3rd gear to take advantage of the overrun clutches.
2) You can also try a little more rear brake bias in lieu of engine braking. That's what I do.
3) Install a tighter converter. I have found that pro-touring cars prefer 500rpm to 1000rpm less stall speed than the typical street/strip recommendation. If the engine seems like it's dropping to an idle when you lift off the throttle at low speeds, your converter is too loose.
The near future:
1) Bowler has been performing reliability tests on modified valve bodies for 4L60E transmissions to enhance engine braking. You can here it in action
here Not sure if they will sell similar modified valve bodies for 80's.
2) Our 2007 SEMA car, being built by Jason Huber at G-Force Design will have what we call a "6/8 Manumatic" It consists of the following:
-4L80E
-Gear Vendors Gear Splitter
-Bowler Electronics
-Twist Paddle Shifter.
This is the ultimate setup. You are most of the way there so you should strongly consider this option. The Bowler Electronics allow you to perform
both gear changes and gear splits from our paddle shifter. Put the floor shifter in 3rd gear and you get a six speed with engine braking. Put the floor shifter in overdrive and you get an eight speed with no engine braking for highway use.
3) The 6/8 Manumatic is pricey, so we're working with Pro-Torque to develop small diameter (light weight), high efficiency, multi-disc lock up converters for pro-touring cars. 4L80E converters will have increased lock up clutch surface area such that you can program your computer to stay locked up in more circumstances than just low load highway cruising. When I show you a picture of the converter internals, you will think that you're looking at a manual's clutch. No accident there.
We'll be testing a 9.5" multi disc converter with 2400 rpm stall speed in the coming months. Just like a manual. a locked up converter provides direct drive. When you lift, you will have engine braking. The computer will unlock the converter based on wheel speed. That's the plan. Price for the custom matched, custom built 4L80E converter will be $995.