Upside to automatic tranny? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chevybill · 11-28-2004, 08:08 PM

Hey guys, due to budget constraints, I am having to consider a th350 auto tranny for my resto mod c 10 truck. My engine guy proposed a 383 cid stroker with about 450 hp and 450 torque, he has the "old school" view of 4 speed trannys not standing up to this motor.

I only plan on normal driving and camper towing,would my original 3 speed manual survive behind this motor? He has connections for a built th350 at a real good price for my funds situation. (new lawn mower and vinyl siding recently) Manuals are just so expensive, I have been searching salvage yards for about 3 months now with no luck.

Provide your opinions about the automatic and could a th700r4 live with this engine and what type of provisions do you need for the lock up torque converter?

Thanks for your opinions and input.

john@thepier · 11-28-2004, 08:43 PM

any tranny should hold upto a 383 .auto are nice cause your wife can drive em. also for towing and backing up or down with trailers.if a 3 speed manual is what you want I have a real nice one I'll sell you for $250 with all the stuff that goes with it linkages etc.I have little use for manuals with my wood leg.

chevybill · 11-28-2004, 08:50 PM

thanks for your reply,

I presently have a 3 speed manual, that came with the truck. I was wondering if the tranny could handle this engine. I have not had any luck locating a 4 or 5 speed manual other than in jegs or summit and they are very expensive.

cableguy0 · 11-28-2004, 08:54 PM

stay away from the 700r4 your going to end up neck deep in it before its strong enough to handle the torque from that engine in a heavy truck. the th350 will do it if properly built but i would reccomend a th400 to not have to worry about breaking anything if you get a little excited with the loud pedal

Tx Firefighter · 11-28-2004, 09:00 PM

Personally, I use 700R4's behind small blocks. But, you can get real expensive real fast buying a strong one.

Your 3 speed will hold up to the new stroker if you treat it kindly. The make-or-break factor is how you drive the thing.

When I'm broke and have to use weak parts, I tend to drive it gently so I don't break it and have no money to fix it.

4x4Poet · 11-28-2004, 09:16 PM

4-speeds are readily available. If you can't find a used one from private sources or wrecking yards, consider one of the transmission rebuilders on the web, maybe even ebay. Just study up on which one you want first. Since its a C10, I would look into a 2wd Muncie 21/22 assuming one would fit your app. Autos are no fun.

Note this related thread.

cableguy0 · 11-28-2004, 09:18 PM

autos are plenty of fun not to mention it will be faster than a manual i dont care whos driving the manual if the transmission is built right. you can always run a full manual valve body if you like shifting gears that much just dont have a clutch

jhwkns · 11-28-2004, 10:13 PM

I have the same trans as this saginaw on ebay in my truck. Other than the shift linkage it's a direct bolt in. If you look around you should be able to find a much better deal. They aren't as strong as a muncie, but I've had good luck with them. I doubt you could put any auto trans in for less money than one of these. The stick shift is way more fun, plus you don't have to worry about special torque converters, shift kits etc...

RON WOODGEARD · 11-28-2004, 10:40 PM

I have a Saginaw 4 speed very clean and tight inside.. These trannies were used in high performance vehicles straight from G.M.

$250.00 + Shipping..
E-mail me if you're interested..

Woodgeard@earthlink.net

Longhorn Man · 11-28-2004, 10:45 PM

I have too much fun with manual shift trannys...in 3 years I went through 7 clutches on my old honda. (it was doin mid 13's in the quarter acording to my G-Tech....on a stock tranny & clutch set up)
Autos are plenty fun, and when you drive them hard, things don't beak as easily, asuming you have the tranny to hold up to the engine.

**Stocker** · 11-28-2004, 11:10 PM

I'm with Cableguy0 - if you decide on an auto tranny, the TH400 is built to handle big-block torque, and you'll have no worries with your built 383.

chevybill · 11-28-2004, 11:52 PM

Ron W, I sent you an e mail please let me know if you did not receive it.
Thanks for your offer.

Jwill41 · 11-28-2004, 11:40 PM

I have a th400 and have never had any problems. It is very tough.

71-longbed · 11-29-2004, 12:29 AM

i wish my truck were a manual .. i miss bangin gears ..auto'S are ok ..

Mudder · 11-29-2004, 12:48 AM

Upside to automatic tranny? You don't have to take your hand off your girlfriends/wifes leg.............

Longhorn Man · 11-29-2004, 01:09 AM

a few years ago, some one on here said that he got his 3 speed/column shifter to work with a four speed. An under dash mounted PTO knob was used to put the tranny in reverse.

TugOwar · 11-29-2004, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

a few years ago, some one on here said that he got his 3 speed/column shifter to work with a four speed. An under dash mounted PTO knob was used to put the tranny in reverse.

Now that would be interesting and unique, AND a theft deterant!

11-28-2004, 08:08 PM	#1
chevybill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: calhoun city ms Posts: 940	Upside to automatic tranny? Hey guys, due to budget constraints, I am having to consider a th350 auto tranny for my resto mod c 10 truck. My engine guy proposed a 383 cid stroker with about 450 hp and 450 torque, he has the "old school" view of 4 speed trannys not standing up to this motor. I only plan on normal driving and camper towing,would my original 3 speed manual survive behind this motor? He has connections for a built th350 at a real good price for my funds situation. (new lawn mower and vinyl siding recently) Manuals are just so expensive, I have been searching salvage yards for about 3 months now with no luck. Provide your opinions about the automatic and could a th700r4 live with this engine and what type of provisions do you need for the lock up torque converter? Thanks for your opinions and input. __________________ ongoing 1970 c 10 lwb 1994 z-28 few mods.-owned since new 1978 vette silver/grey 25th anniv. paint

11-28-2004, 08:50 PM	#3
chevybill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: calhoun city ms Posts: 940	thanks for your reply, I presently have a 3 speed manual, that came with the truck. I was wondering if the tranny could handle this engine. I have not had any luck locating a 4 or 5 speed manual other than in jegs or summit and they are very expensive. __________________ ongoing 1970 c 10 lwb 1994 z-28 few mods.-owned since new 1978 vette silver/grey 25th anniv. paint

11-28-2004, 08:54 PM	#4
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,950	stay away from the 700r4 your going to end up neck deep in it before its strong enough to handle the torque from that engine in a heavy truck. the th350 will do it if properly built but i would reccomend a th400 to not have to worry about breaking anything if you get a little excited with the loud pedal __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

11-28-2004, 09:00 PM	#5
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Personally, I use 700R4's behind small blocks. But, you can get real expensive real fast buying a strong one. Your 3 speed will hold up to the new stroker if you treat it kindly. The make-or-break factor is how you drive the thing. When I'm broke and have to use weak parts, I tend to drive it gently so I don't break it and have no money to fix it. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

11-28-2004, 09:16 PM	#6
4x4Poet Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: "Under Montana skies." Posts: 1,836	4-speeds are readily available. If you can't find a used one from private sources or wrecking yards, consider one of the transmission rebuilders on the web, maybe even ebay. Just study up on which one you want first. Since its a C10, I would look into a 2wd Muncie 21/22 assuming one would fit your app. Autos are no fun. Note this related thread. __________________ '71 GMC K20 Suburban, '71 GMC K10 Suburban, '72 Chevy C10 CST Suburban, '72 Chevy K20 clunker pickup. Last edited by 4x4Poet; 11-28-2004 at 09:21 PM.

11-28-2004, 08:43 PM	#2
john@thepier Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Lake Geneva, WI 53147 Posts: 970	any tranny should hold upto a 383 .auto are nice cause your wife can drive em. also for towing and backing up or down with trailers.if a 3 speed manual is what you want I have a real nice one I'll sell you for $250 with all the stuff that goes with it linkages etc.I have little use for manuals with my wood leg.

11-28-2004, 09:18 PM	#7
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,950	autos are plenty of fun not to mention it will be faster than a manual i dont care whos driving the manual if the transmission is built right. you can always run a full manual valve body if you like shifting gears that much just dont have a clutch __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

11-28-2004, 10:13 PM	#8
jhwkns Registered Cruiser Join Date: May 2002 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 2,230	I have the same trans as this saginaw on ebay in my truck. Other than the shift linkage it's a direct bolt in. If you look around you should be able to find a much better deal. They aren't as strong as a muncie, but I've had good luck with them. I doubt you could put any auto trans in for less money than one of these. The stick shift is way more fun, plus you don't have to worry about special torque converters, shift kits etc... __________________ I intend to live forever. So far, so good.

11-28-2004, 10:40 PM	#9
RON WOODGEARD Resident Young Old Dude ! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Nevada Posts: 1,948	I have a Saginaw 4 speed very clean and tight inside.. These trannies were used in high performance vehicles straight from G.M. $250.00 + Shipping.. E-mail me if you're interested.. Woodgeard@earthlink.net

11-28-2004, 10:45 PM	#10
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	I have too much fun with manual shift trannys...in 3 years I went through 7 clutches on my old honda. (it was doin mid 13's in the quarter acording to my G-Tech....on a stock tranny & clutch set up) Autos are plenty fun, and when you drive them hard, things don't beak as easily, asuming you have the tranny to hold up to the engine.

11-28-2004, 11:10 PM	#11
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,692	I'm with Cableguy0 - if you decide on an auto tranny, the TH400 is built to handle big-block torque, and you'll have no worries with your built 383. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

11-28-2004, 11:52 PM	#12
chevybill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: calhoun city ms Posts: 940	Ron W, I sent you an e mail please let me know if you did not receive it. Thanks for your offer. __________________ ongoing 1970 c 10 lwb 1994 z-28 few mods.-owned since new 1978 vette silver/grey 25th anniv. paint

11-28-2004, 11:40 PM	#13
Jwill41 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Farmers Branch, Tx Posts: 1,009	I have a th400 and have never had any problems. It is very tough. __________________ http://www.picturetrail.com/jwill41 67 1/2 ton GMC short step side 68 1/2 ton Chevy long fleet side 72 1/2 ton Chevy Suburban 99 1/2 ton Chevy Suburban founder (and only member) of the primer/clearcoat club

11-29-2004, 12:29 AM	#14
71-longbed Its Magically Delicious Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: oregon Posts: 2,398	i wish my truck were a manual .. i miss bangin gears ..auto'S are ok .. __________________ 71 C10 LWB 350sbc -TH350 12 bolt 3.42 Posi Of all my favorite things to do, The utmost is to have a brew. My love grows for my foamy friend, with each thirst-quenching elbow bend. Beer so frosty, smooth, and cold it's paradise pure liquid gold. Yes beer means many things to me that's all for now cus I gotta pee.

11-29-2004, 12:48 AM	#15
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Upside to automatic tranny? You don't have to take your hand off your girlfriends/wifes leg.............



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11-29-2004, 01:09 AM	#16
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	a few years ago, some one on here said that he got his 3 speed/column shifter to work with a four speed. An under dash mounted PTO knob was used to put the tranny in reverse.

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