High Torque Capacity Reverse Clutch

A gear set and clutch assembly for a Powerglide-type automobile transmission comprising:

• a ring gear having a proximal gear portion and a distal flange portion;
• and
• a reverse clutch coupled to the distal flange portion of the ring gear, wherein the ring gear and reverse clutch are configured and dimensioned to receive and cooperate with a compound planetary gear set having a numerical first gear ratio less than approximately 1.64:1 within an OE Powerglide transmission case.

The gear set and clutch assembly of claim 11, further comprising a compound planetary gear set comprising an input sun gear, a long pinion, and a reaction sun gear, wherein the input sun gear is meshed to the long pinion, and the long pinion is meshed to the input sun gear and the reaction sun gear, and wherein the planetary gear set has a numerical first gear ratio in the range of approximately 1.64:1 to 1.45:1.

A method of modifying a Powerglide-type automobile transmission to reduce a gear ratio thereof, comprising:

• increasing free space within an OE Powerglide transmission case sufficient to receive a planetary gear set with a first gear ratio less than approximately 1.64:1 and a long pinion having a substantially constant maximum outer diameter;
• and
• installing said planetary gear set in said OE Powerglide transmission case.