LS Swap with 3 speed on column - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Kendski · 12-08-2016, 03:55 PM

Anybody done this swap yet? Have everything for the swap and will start working on it this month, just wanted to see if there were any major issues that guys were having. Seems pretty straight forward. Thanks for the help in advance.

**MikeB** · 12-08-2016, 04:34 PM

If that's a Saginaw 3-speed manual, you might want to check the torque capabilities. For my 82 C10, 3 different gear sets were used with these 1st gear ratios:

3.50 for the 250-six
3.11 for the 292 six and 305
2.85 for the 350

Of course, the trans with the 3.50 1st gear can handle significantly less torque than the 2.85. And I'm not even sure a trans with the 2.85 can handle torque from even a stock LS engine.

Also, I'm not an LS guy, but there will be some bell housing issues, and I believe the pilot bushing size is different.

Kendski · 12-08-2016, 04:36 PM

Thanks for the info, will look into the torque handling capabilities of it. Not looking to beat on it, just want to retain the 3 speed for old times sake. Will eventually swap to 6 speed.

**MikeB** · 12-08-2016, 04:39 PM

I think these guys have parts to adapt a 4-speed Muncie to an LS engine, so that means they would work with a Saginaw 3-speed.

https://shiftsst.com/

Kendski · 12-08-2016, 04:50 PM

The clutch pivot ball was a concern, but I found that at SDPP. I believe a 621 bell will work just fine.

Old Glory · 06-23-2024, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kendski

Anybody done this swap yet? Have everything for the swap and will start working on it this month, just wanted to see if there were any major issues that guys were having. Seems pretty straight forward. Thanks for the help in advance.

Were you able to complete this? If so, how hard was it and did the transmission hold up? I too like the thought of retaining the old column shift.

12-08-2016, 03:55 PM	#1
Kendski Registered User Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Port St. Lucie Posts: 9	LS Swap with 3 speed on column Anybody done this swap yet? Have everything for the swap and will start working on it this month, just wanted to see if there were any major issues that guys were having. Seems pretty straight forward. Thanks for the help in advance.

12-08-2016, 04:34 PM	#2
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,597	Re: LS Swap with 3 speed on column If that's a Saginaw 3-speed manual, you might want to check the torque capabilities. For my 82 C10, 3 different gear sets were used with these 1st gear ratios: 3.50 for the 250-six 3.11 for the 292 six and 305 2.85 for the 350 Of course, the trans with the 3.50 1st gear can handle significantly less torque than the 2.85. And I'm not even sure a trans with the 2.85 can handle torque from even a stock LS engine. Also, I'm not an LS guy, but there will be some bell housing issues, and I believe the pilot bushing size is different. __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

12-08-2016, 04:36 PM	#3
Kendski Registered User Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Port St. Lucie Posts: 9	Re: LS Swap with 3 speed on column Thanks for the info, will look into the torque handling capabilities of it. Not looking to beat on it, just want to retain the 3 speed for old times sake. Will eventually swap to 6 speed.

12-08-2016, 04:39 PM	#4
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,597	Re: LS Swap with 3 speed on column I think these guys have parts to adapt a 4-speed Muncie to an LS engine, so that means they would work with a Saginaw 3-speed. https://shiftsst.com/ __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

12-08-2016, 04:50 PM	#5
Kendski Registered User Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Port St. Lucie Posts: 9	Re: LS Swap with 3 speed on column The clutch pivot ball was a concern, but I found that at SDPP. I believe a 621 bell will work just fine.

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