Auto to manual tranny swap. 3 speed

[chevybuilder18]

I have seen alot of good deals on 3 speed saginaw transmissions in my area, used but capable. I have never drove a stick and i wish to have one, because limited performance in the automatic drive train, plus my pump in the th350 is going out big time. the thing dies at stop lights, believe this is because the lock up mechanism is stuck on because of a vacuum leak in the line. not only because of these problems am i looking to swap, but because the fear of a stall convertor comes to mind and alot changes. i have heard of 4 speed overdrive saginaws with the same casings as the three speed. if i could (its an optional idea) add an overdrive, it would be much better. but is this possible? again its an optional idea, just wanna get some more info before i go into manuals.

[chevybuilder18]

Another thing is will i be able to fit an s10 cross member in my frame, or will it fall short? thank you for any responses

[thesickc10]

A saginaw will not hold up with the 406 you plan on putting in. If you know youre gonna use that 406 then i'd go with a muncie or a bw super t10.

[Pyrotechnic]

The Saginaw 3 speeds are decently strong. The Saginaw gets a bad rep from the 4 speed. The 4 speeds were basically 4 gears, shoved into a 3 speed case. The thin gears are not that strong. The 3 speed however, has full width gears which make it decently strong. Most people ditch them because they desire more than 3 gears. A lot of dirt track racers run them with first gear removed since they really only a need gear to take off out of the pits and final drive.

Look at it this way, it's no Muncie M22 but if you do break it, you didn't spend a fortune. It's a good transmission to start off with.

[chevybuilder18]

Originally Posted by Pyrotechnic

The Saginaw 3 speeds are decently strong. The Saginaw gets a bad rep from the 4 speed. The 4 speeds were basically 4 gears, shoved into a 3 speed case. The thin gears are not that strong. The 3 speed however, has full width gears which make it decently strong. Most people ditch them because they desire more than 3 gears. A lot of dirt track racers run them with first gear removed since they really only a need gear to take off out of the pits and final drive.

Look at it this way, it's no Muncie M22 but if you do break it, you didn't spend a fortune. It's a good transmission to start off with.

yea i figured as much, $150 for a saginaw isnt bad. even comes with resurfaced fly wheel and clutch plate. I am just gonna wait on the 406 because im not experienced with the stick yet. but the 350 i got will most likely be the one turning it. im not going to the 4 speed.

[chevybuilder18]

clutch pedal assembly? its just gonna be stock for now. plan on a floor board mounted cylinder to control the slave cylinder

[chevybuilder18]

I meant to ask you guys what kinda hydraulic system to run on this. can i just go to a pick and pull and grab a floor board mounted cylinder pedal assembly or what kinda things do i have to do to get this to work. sorry im a newb to installing these hydraulics.

[chevybuilder18]

could any one tell me if the diameters for the pilot bushings were the same for all the manual transmissions made for 350s? thanks

[Skunksmash]

NOOOOOOOooooo don't do it! Get a built 700R4 or something for that 406.

http://www.700r4l60e.com/

That three speed aint going to be no fun at 60+ MPH. Unless you building a race truck and the sagniaw just falls far short. There are way better trans for race.

If you want to have a stick get you a camaro or a mustang or something. Way better trannys and a lot more purpose than a saginaw. Most people that I've known that had one didn't like them and ended up converting or selling.

[chevybuilder18]

Originally Posted by Skunksmash

NOOOOOOOooooo don't do it! Get a built 700R4 or something for that 406.

http://www.700r4l60e.com/

That three speed aint going to be no fun at 60+ MPH. Unless you building a race truck and the sagniaw just falls far short. There are way better trans for race.

If you want to have a stick get you a camaro or a mustang or something. Way better trannys and a lot more purpose than a saginaw. Most people that I've known that had one didn't like them and ended up converting or selling.

I was planning on doing the 406 next winter and this spring get it machined and ready for the winter build. all im doing is wanting to drive a stick with a 350 with an edelbrock performer and headers for the street. then repair the doors and dropping it are my main concerns. gotta have a good looking and good handling starting point for my platform. also the rear is going to 3.55s, keeping the 12 bolt. down the road when i got the money for something better than a saginaw for the 406. yet there is LOTS of cheaper modifications for a 3 speed tranny that can make a saginaw handle a souped up 406 that i dont mind looking at. or maybe a super t10 or the suburban tremecs that were pretty popular, might look at one of those. and im not doing the 4 speed saginaw, im doing a 3 speed.

[Seventy]

Used to snap those Sagninaw three speeds like a twig, behind a 400 small block. 3 on the tree.

[huahuamick]

Great site. A lot of useful information here.

[Skunksmash]

Just saying most of the people that I've talked to said that they're boat anchors at best. You That 406 used to be a 350 right? I know little about GM bores and strokes. If so you'd be a lot better off going with going with a t-56. There is a reason you don't hear about people doing a saginaw very often.

[chevybuilder18]

Originally Posted by Skunksmash

Just saying most of the people that I've talked to said that they're boat anchors at best. You That 406 used to be a 350 right? I know little about GM bores and strokes. If so you'd be a lot better off going with going with a t-56. There is a reason you don't hear about people doing a saginaw very often.

well the 400 block i got is factory 400 going 30 over, no 4 incher 350 strokers here but yea im changing my mind maybe, but the deal is so good. infact i dont even know if there saginaw 3 speeds. just says chevrolet 3 speeds for $250. maybe guy knows what he has, and is just being wise a$$ or he doesnt and could maybe be a different style. who knows. heres a linkhttp://springfieldil.craigslist.org/pts/3324816275.html

[chevybuilder18]

I found a different trans that im intrested in. It is a getrag. What is a getrag? its coming out of a 4x4 and im wandering if its a good one.

[chevybuilder18]

SM465/p205 with granny low. any one got any info on this?

[wraprail]

Oh yeah thats a great trans behind a 406..lol you will love 1st gear

[Skunksmash]

Originally Posted by chevybuilder18

What is a getrag?

Get a rag cause its gonna leak?

[wraprail]

Getrag makes the diff in my CTS-V and they explode on a regular bases. Junk. Everything they make

[Pyrotechnic]

Originally Posted by chevybuilder18

SM465/p205 with granny low. any one got any info on this?

It would be like driving a dump truck, literally. The SM465 is strong, but it is a slow shifting big truck trans with a granny gear and far spaced gears. Not good for a hot rod. You would still be better off with the Saginaw 3 speed.

Forget about any transmission that comes out of a 4x4. They have a 4x4 specific output shaft for the transfer case and no tail housing. Stick with 2WD transmissions.

[chevybuilder18]

Originally Posted by Skunksmash

Get a rag cause its gonna leak?

Yea good one. all these dang trannys, not one worth the money and some are but dont fit the puzzle.