whats a good manual trans?????????
 

I'm building a 1983 Chevy c-10 2WD, stepside, and it had a 3 speed in it with a 250 i-6, i took all that out and am using a 350 horse 350 v-8, and I'm looking for a good 4 speed, or 5 or 6, for that matter, that i don't have to re build the floor to get trans to fit, or anthing like that, and also doesn't have to be but id like to use a hydraulic clutch, but not a must have, any ideas, tips, links, and pics would be awesome the truck will have 3:73, in rear end, and its going to be on air bags, not laying frame, it ll just be as low as i can get it, with out cutting the body, or bed floor, so anything any one could give as far as the trans and a good one to use, thank you in advanced

Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
 

I would recommend a Muncie or Super T10 4 speed. For a 5 speed, the Tremec TKO is about the only thing that will handle the power. A T56 6 speed is about as good as it gets, but you will most likely need to mod the floor. Don't let the floor modding scare you though, you can remove a high tunnel from another truck and bolt it in.

Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
 

T56 go big or go home

Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
 

ok thanks for the info, if i were to go the t56 route, what car had that in it? what would i need to change in the truck, i.e pedals? what truck had a higher tunel i could find? and doing this would it interfear with my bench? and if i decided on the 4 speed whcih muncie would be good, and who make the super t-10, on kind of a tight budget, so ill have to see waht would be cheaper as well, thanks for the info

Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
 

The Muncie 4 speed is most commonly found in the M20 and M21 versions, both with different ratios. They were used throughout the 60's and 70's in high performance optioned cars. The Borg Warner Super T-10 was used in cars around the mid 70's to early 80's.

If you are on a tight budget, the options above aren't cheap and a T56 is going to cost even more.

Cheap options:

-Use the Saginaw 3 speed you already have. They are actually a decently strong transmission but most people cast them aside because they want the extra gear. Converted to floor shift, it could be a fun setup. With the 3.73 gears out back I bet it would run pretty good.

-Use a Saginaw 4 speed. This is basically a 3 speed with 4 gears in it, and the downside to that is that the gears are thinner and not as strong. These are cheap to buy because they cant handle as much as the more expensive 4 speeds. It's a gamble whether it would live behind your motor but if you don't get to crazy with side stepping the clutch and power shifting it should live. Some claim to abuse them and they last and some say they've broken tons of them.

Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
 

x2 - my thoughts as well.

We've had a couple hot 6 cylinder trucks (maybe 300 hp or so) with the Saginaw 4 speeds, 3:11 low gear, and they were just fine for normal and/or spirited street use.

K

Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
 

I picked up a super T10 complete with shifter and driveshaft for $100 a few weeks ago. I pulled it from a late 70s z28. They are pretty strong. IF you are on a budget, deals are out there. You just have to look and it takes time.

Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
 

I vote T-56, thats what Im doing for mine. Theres a LT1 T-56 that bolts right up to the 350 block and the LS1 T-56 thats going to require either a adapter plate or a pricey bellhousing ($556) The LT1 requires a special flywheel that you can find on jegs or summit, they are around $350 I believe. Theres a few write ups out there. If you want to know more shoot me a PM and Ill forward you links I have gathered in my research for the swap.

Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
 

I had one in my car.. 4 speed saggy.. same one is actually going into my truck... went through 2 motors.. handled everything.. i abused mine.. raced everywhere.. but at the same time i had decent gears... and a shorter tire, and the thing never really did hook up till 3rd.

Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
 

Wow im greatfull for all the info, im using 18 inch wheels, not sure on tire size yet, im definitely looking for a trans that I can have fun with and can handle a race from stop light to stop light from time to time
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Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
 

You can buy an aftermarket T56 that will bolt up to a standard Chevrolet bellhousing, and has a mechanical speedo output. It is $2200, but that is the way to go if you want a six speed. Most people want 1100 to 1500 for a used T56, and you have no idea if it is in good shape.

Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
 

I would go with the Muncie (I am dropping an 68 ' M20 from a GTO in my SWB) unless you can find a super T10 deal like Spudz. I have a 3 spd Saginaw laying around the shop from one of my old 68' Camaros but, opted for the 4th gear

Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
 

If you replace the stock TH350 with a passenger car 4-speed (like a Muncie, Saginaw, B-W, etc), do you need to modify the driveshaft?

Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
 

I know that the Muncie and the Th350 are the same overall length and use the same crossmember location. So you should be good as far as driveshaft length.