another manual trans question... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

manimal · 06-29-2009, 10:22 AM

I have a '78 C10 lwb with a 250/3 on the tree. I want to keep the six cylinder,but want to change to a 4/5 speed. I will be towing my BBQ trailer(1000-1500lbs). Should I go with a car 4spd?(Muncie,BW,Saginaw) or should I go ahead and put in an SM465? I know I have to cut the floor to do the SM465 and thats OK with me, I just want to do it right the FIRST time. Thanks
-Lance
BTW It will be lowered if that matters.

smashingchuck · 06-29-2009, 11:10 AM

Since the towing you will be doing is light duty, I don't see any reason why the car trans wouldn't be the best choice.

swb85 · 06-29-2009, 04:12 PM

Car trans would probably work, but do your research before choosing. The close ratio muncies have a 2.20:1 first gear.....you'll have a helluva time getting even a 1500lb trailer moving with that high of a first gear unless you've got 4.56's out back. I've got 3.42's and 28" tires on my truck and it takes some clutch slip just to get the truck (empty) moving, especially up hills. I'd never attempt to tow anything with it......

mongoose · 06-29-2009, 05:08 PM

you can get a saggy with a 3.11 first gear... nice for starting on hills etc.. they're not the strongest out there.. but i don't think you're putting enough power through it to break it.

manimal · 06-29-2009, 05:54 PM

Well concidering the cost of car 4spds now a days, I think I will be going with the SM465. Thanks guys!
-Lance

whiskeydented · 06-29-2009, 06:33 PM

You can get a super t-10 with first gear ratios of 2.64 and I also think 2.88 but not sure on the last one.

Heater63 · 06-29-2009, 06:53 PM

Lance,
If your towing occasionally and not too much highway cruising, I think your on track with the 465.
I'm sure your familiar with using the T5's to get overdrive. Thats what I'm going to do, but I plan a lot of highway cruising, and little if any towing.

mongoose · 06-29-2009, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manimal

Well concidering the cost of car 4spds now a days, I think I will be going with the SM465. Thanks guys!
-Lance

some are expensive.. ou can pick up a saggy for next to nothing.. like 200.. and it's a direct swap from a th350 too... which makes it a lot easier on the wallet.

Pyrotechnic · 06-30-2009, 01:27 AM

Check out the NVG 3500. It's a 5 speed overdrive used in later model trucks. Considered weak behind V8's but it should last a long time behind an I6.

1) 4.02
2) 2.32
3) 1.40
4) 1.00
5) 0.73

The gear spread is just right for truck use.

06-29-2009, 10:22 AM	#1
manimal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern Kalifornia Posts: 3,066	another manual trans question... I have a '78 C10 lwb with a 250/3 on the tree. I want to keep the six cylinder,but want to change to a 4/5 speed. I will be towing my BBQ trailer(1000-1500lbs). Should I go with a car 4spd?(Muncie,BW,Saginaw) or should I go ahead and put in an SM465? I know I have to cut the floor to do the SM465 and thats OK with me, I just want to do it right the FIRST time. Thanks -Lance BTW It will be lowered if that matters. __________________ ------------------------------------------------------ -Lance 2000 Chevy C2500, 5.7, 4L80e 1999 Suburban K2500, 7.4, 4L80e 1980 Camaro..son's car...PROJECT Last edited by manimal; 06-29-2009 at 10:22 AM.

06-29-2009, 11:10 AM	#2
smashingchuck It'd be alot cooler if you did Join Date: May 2003 Location: Three Rivers, MI Posts: 2,345	Re: another manual trans question... Since the towing you will be doing is light duty, I don't see any reason why the car trans wouldn't be the best choice. __________________ 78 Build Thread 4Runner Build

06-29-2009, 04:12 PM	#3
swb85 On a budget like Fred Sanford Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Topeka, KS Posts: 2,031	Re: another manual trans question... Car trans would probably work, but do your research before choosing. The close ratio muncies have a 2.20:1 first gear.....you'll have a helluva time getting even a 1500lb trailer moving with that high of a first gear unless you've got 4.56's out back. I've got 3.42's and 28" tires on my truck and it takes some clutch slip just to get the truck (empty) moving, especially up hills. I'd never attempt to tow anything with it...... __________________ '85 Silverado swb: 383 stroker, 10.5:1, vortec heads, 232/238 roller cam, RPM air gap, performer 750 carb, stainless longtubes, 3" duals/super 44's, T56/4.11 383ci build / exterior refresh thread '98 Camaro z28: 370ci twin turbo 370ci build '01 Tahoe LT 4x4: 5.3, longtubes/ory, magnaflow duals, custom tune....wife's DD Last edited by swb85; 06-29-2009 at 04:15 PM.

06-29-2009, 05:08 PM	#4
mongoose Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: slurrey, bc. Posts: 1,134	Re: another manual trans question... you can get a saggy with a 3.11 first gear... nice for starting on hills etc.. they're not the strongest out there.. but i don't think you're putting enough power through it to break it. __________________ -'73 c/10 - Low with Go - will be complete... probably never. -'90 2wd Blazer - well... soon enough anyways. -'84 SWB - the daily gas guzzler.

06-29-2009, 05:54 PM	#5
manimal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern Kalifornia Posts: 3,066	Re: another manual trans question... Well concidering the cost of car 4spds now a days, I think I will be going with the SM465. Thanks guys! -Lance __________________ ------------------------------------------------------ -Lance 2000 Chevy C2500, 5.7, 4L80e 1999 Suburban K2500, 7.4, 4L80e 1980 Camaro..son's car...PROJECT

06-29-2009, 06:33 PM	#6
whiskeydented Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: connecticut Posts: 261	Re: another manual trans question... You can get a super t-10 with first gear ratios of 2.64 and I also think 2.88 but not sure on the last one.

06-29-2009, 06:53 PM	#7
Heater63 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: N Texas Posts: 580	Re: another manual trans question... Lance, If your towing occasionally and not too much highway cruising, I think your on track with the 465. I'm sure your familiar with using the T5's to get overdrive. Thats what I'm going to do, but I plan a lot of highway cruising, and little if any towing. __________________ 292 + TKO500

06-30-2009, 01:27 AM	#9
Pyrotechnic Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,930	Re: another manual trans question... Check out the NVG 3500. It's a 5 speed overdrive used in later model trucks. Considered weak behind V8's but it should last a long time behind an I6. 1) 4.02 2) 2.32 3) 1.40 4) 1.00 5) 0.73 The gear spread is just right for truck use. __________________ 1977 GMC Sierra Grande



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