Manual Transmission upgrade - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

my67c20 · 07-12-2002, 02:33 PM

I need some help. My 67 C20 has a 4 speed with granny low trans. However nice this might be for pulling out stumps it really does me no justice on RPM for freeway driving. I would like to switch this with another stick with overdrive. I really need to keep the cost low (under $700.00). I got some previous response suggesting the NV4500 but again waaay over my budget. Under no circumstances am i willing to put an automatic in. I really appreciate any help or suggestions on what will be the best choice. I have a 350 engine in the beast. Thanks

kaycee · 07-12-2002, 02:39 PM

What size of rear gears do you have in it?You might think of a different gear setup.

Longhorn Man · 07-12-2002, 05:15 PM

Swapping in another 4 speed will not help your free way RPM's.
To do this, you will either need to get a 5 speed, replace your rear gears with a 3.07 or so, or, get some big 'ole friggen tires on the back.

my67c20 · 07-12-2002, 06:59 PM

Well that last thing i want to do is replace the rearend. However a 5 speed will still work. I am basically looking at doing the least to get the most.

Longhorn Man · 07-12-2002, 07:02 PM

If you swap out the whole reare axle...the hardest part is bleeding the brakes.

my67c20 · 07-12-2002, 07:08 PM

I follow on the rearend. Unfortunatly for some odd reason coming across a complete rearend in california is not very easy. i would much rather prefer changing the trans. I need to get in there and replace the clutch but again the most for the least is what i am after.

Huck · 07-12-2002, 07:33 PM

Someone had an 82 Camaro 5 speed on the board for sale last week---. I put in a 96' truck 5 speed, with headers, HEI, Edelbrock, and a 308Posi--give me 22mpg on the flats. Paid $650 for the trans with everything to convert but the crossmember and getting the driveshaft resized. End result was well worth the trouble. Dropped about 100 lbs and gained about 6mpg. Love that 5th gear~~~~~~Huck

Huck · 07-12-2002, 07:40 PM

JunkyardJohn has or had the 5speed---and it sounds like a great deal to me~~~~. Check it out on the 4sale thread.

Longhorn Man · 07-12-2002, 09:28 PM

If you are running a stock engine, then the T5 is an ok tranny, if you drive her hard...it may scatter...there is a reason it was never put behinde a 350 from G.M.
Also, be warned that the tranny mount is not level on a Camaro one...I think it is 18 degrees off center, at an angle.

ekelzo · 07-13-2002, 12:13 AM

If You use a T-5 From a camaro, you should get a camaro belhousing, which will put the shifter straight up. But be forewarned, the shifter will be approx. 4-5 inches into your bench seat. you'll need to fabricate a shifter to be comfotable, but it can be done, but only with buckets.

07-12-2002, 02:33 PM	#1
my67c20 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Tucson AZ by way of WI & CA Posts: 509	Manual Transmission upgrade I need some help. My 67 C20 has a 4 speed with granny low trans. However nice this might be for pulling out stumps it really does me no justice on RPM for freeway driving. I would like to switch this with another stick with overdrive. I really need to keep the cost low (under $700.00). I got some previous response suggesting the NV4500 but again waaay over my budget. Under no circumstances am i willing to put an automatic in. I really appreciate any help or suggestions on what will be the best choice. I have a 350 engine in the beast. Thanks

07-12-2002, 02:39 PM	#2
kaycee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Wyoming USA Posts: 2,446	What size of rear gears do you have in it?You might think of a different gear setup. __________________ 2001 Silverado K-1500 2005 FXDWG stage3 69 CHEVY Short/Step 327/4L60 373 posi 63 IMPALA 327

07-13-2002, 12:13 AM	#10
ekelzo Not too old for R n' R Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Manchester, CT./Leominster, MA. USA Posts: 80	If You use a T-5 From a camaro, you should get a camaro belhousing, which will put the shifter straight up. But be forewarned, the shifter will be approx. 4-5 inches into your bench seat. you'll need to fabricate a shifter to be comfotable, but it can be done, but only with buckets. __________________ 72 swb step L6 3sp driver / beater / project. 69 AMX 390 4sp. Big Bad Orange long term project.

07-12-2002, 05:15 PM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Swapping in another 4 speed will not help your free way RPM's. To do this, you will either need to get a 5 speed, replace your rear gears with a 3.07 or so, or, get some big 'ole friggen tires on the back.

07-12-2002, 06:59 PM	#4
my67c20 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Tucson AZ by way of WI & CA Posts: 509	Well that last thing i want to do is replace the rearend. However a 5 speed will still work. I am basically looking at doing the least to get the most.

07-12-2002, 07:02 PM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	If you swap out the whole reare axle...the hardest part is bleeding the brakes.

07-12-2002, 07:08 PM	#6
my67c20 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Tucson AZ by way of WI & CA Posts: 509	I follow on the rearend. Unfortunatly for some odd reason coming across a complete rearend in california is not very easy. i would much rather prefer changing the trans. I need to get in there and replace the clutch but again the most for the least is what i am after.

07-12-2002, 07:33 PM	#7
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,269	Someone had an 82 Camaro 5 speed on the board for sale last week---. I put in a 96' truck 5 speed, with headers, HEI, Edelbrock, and a 308Posi--give me 22mpg on the flats. Paid $650 for the trans with everything to convert but the crossmember and getting the driveshaft resized. End result was well worth the trouble. Dropped about 100 lbs and gained about 6mpg. Love that 5th gear~~~~~~Huck

07-12-2002, 07:40 PM	#8
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,269	JunkyardJohn has or had the 5speed---and it sounds like a great deal to me~~~~. Check it out on the 4sale thread.

07-12-2002, 09:28 PM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	If you are running a stock engine, then the T5 is an ok tranny, if you drive her hard...it may scatter...there is a reason it was never put behinde a 350 from G.M. Also, be warned that the tranny mount is not level on a Camaro one...I think it is 18 degrees off center, at an angle.



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