Upside to automatic tranny?

[chevybill]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[Jwill41]

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

[chevybill]

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

[71-longbed]

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

[Mudder]

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

[stickshift_or_walk]

Originally Posted by RON WOODGEARD

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

Ron's got good advice here. Another point is that many of these 4spd Saginaws were used behind 4-bangers and V6's of the early 80's. These have lower 1st and 2nd gear ratios to help the small engines get moving, but are just as strong and IMO would be a great match for a 250 or even a small V8 that needs the help in a heavy truck.

I know a guy who uses the 4spd Saginaw in his 3/4T with a cabover camper and a 400SB. If it will hold that, it should do DD duty just fine.

Now, if I could figure out a way to make the column shift work with 4 forward gears...hmmm...

By the way, Amen, brother:

Originally Posted by jhwkns

...The stick shift is way more fun...

And, last but not least,

Originally Posted by Mudder67

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

I can beat that...just where do 4th gear and reverse put your hand???

SSOW

[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.

[TugOwar]

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!