4 speed

[blue64c20]

I have finally decided to run a 4 speed manual in the truck, I am wondering about the diffrences and strangth of a muncie M20 vs a super t10, any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

[1963c-10]

What are you going to use the truck for? Im more a fan of the Muncie myself. Also, what engine & HP /torque rating might help too.

[markeb01]

I faced the same decision back in 2005 when I ditched the perfectly fine TH 350 for the fun factor of a manual 4 speed. At the time, Super T10’s could be purchased brand new with no wear issues. I had previously acquired what appeared to be a very good condition Super T10 out of a 1982 Firebird. The gears looked like new, but one of the synchros was cracked. Long story short, although the gears were cherry, the tailshaft and main case both needed to be replaced along with a bunch of other stuff, and it still didn’t work right. That’s when I purchased a brand new transmission which has performed flawlessly.

Shortly after I bought the S T10, brand new Muncie M22’s became available, assembled from all new parts. The cost was about $400 more than the Richmond, but reliability depended on the talent of the assembler. Part of me regrets not getting the M22 simply because I love how loud they are. Nothing else sounds like an M22. The downside being the limited close ratio gears which I did not want. I wanted them evenly spaced out for maximum flexibility as a daily driver, not a drag racer in a narrow power band.

Here’s the cover and a specifications page from the owners manual that came with my Richmond Super T10. It shows the torque capacity for each gear ratio. I purchased the second entry on the list – part # 1304000069 good for 325 lbs ft:





The only torque ratings I have found for the Muncie transmissions were second hand comments in a web post. Per that thread M20’s had a rating of 375 lbs ft, and the M21’s were rated at 400. No idea if there is any truth to these numbers. I’ve read that Muncies are prone to case stretch, but the Pontiac S T10 I had was also stretched. On the other hand I’ve read that in racing applications the Super T10 can blow up, while the Muncie case is more resistant to coming apart in a major failure. I don’t beat mine hard enough to find out either way, I just enjoy driving a side shifting 4 speed.

[blue64c20]

Thanks for the information! I am running a 350 with about 400 pound feet of torque and about 350 hp, the super t10 sounds like a good trans

[Captainfab]

That's interesting. I would have thought the Super T10's would have had a higher torque rating than that shown.

I might add that one factor in determing transmission life is the rear gear ratio and the tire size and rubber compound.

[blue64c20]

I am planning on running a 3.42 gear with posi and I will more than likely run some 10ish wide by 28 or 29 inch street tires

[jj1965]

I ran an M20 for about two years when I wasn't replacing parts that would randomly shatter when I popped the clutch. I only had a mild smallblock but an 18 year old foot. Changed out to a M21 with a heavy duty hays clutch and SFI approved scattershield. This transmission performed great! Synchros started getting worn a few years later and I switched to 700R4. T10 is a good tranny to just stay away from the M20.