Now that I've got the motor running I would like to improve the transmission. I currently have a 4 speed manual with a granny gear. I have been ready and talked to a few people about a T5. I would like to get some insight from you guys to see if that is the best option. I want a T5 because I would like my truck to be more usable on the interstate. I currently have a 4.11 rearend which I would like to leave intact if i can. if anybody can offer any information or advice it would be greatly appreciated.

Don't know if you want to spend this much, but this is a very neat set-up:

http://www.keislerauto.com/gm/transmissions/truck_5spd.asp

I installed a T-5 from an S-10 in my 65 PickUp with a 292 and it works great. The S-10 is not the heaviest trans but depends on what you want to do with it. I have towed my car trailer and the trans worked good until a seal started leaking and I ran it dry taking out the input bearing. Pretty easy installation. Had to trim a little off of the tang on the bottom of the tailshaft to clear the cross member and depending on what size clutch you are using you have to use a later disc with the 292 pressure plate. Good Luck

Deac69,

I have about as much in my 292 and overdrive transmission as the lower priced Tremec on the page Bruce posted the link to.

If you don't have to have 5 gears consider a GM MY-6. They were built for GM trucks, 1981-86, and are a 4 speed manual, side loaded shifter transmission. First gear has a 3.09 ratio, 4th gear (overdrive) is .73. It's a large aluminum case transmission that will bolt in directly in place of a 3- or 4-speed saginaw, muncie or Borg and has the very typical GM 10 spline input shaft and fine spline output shaft.

You'll more than likely have to shorten your driveshaft because I believe this box is longer than that huge 4 speed granny box you currently have. Measure twice and cut once.

I've been up in the triple digits a couple of times on the interstate and cruising at 80 turning only 2600 rpms is way cool. On the state highways 60 mph is only 1900 rpms. Hardly even worth shifting into overdrive.

-magic mike-

to me, 5 gears aren't neccessary, i'd just like to get an OD in place. right now theres a automatic on the 292, and reverse is goin out of it. i'm wondering if there are any options that just BOLT UP...small block trannys bolt up..don't they? correct me if i'm wrong..because this isn't my spot...

mike, that GM MY-6 looks like something i should check out..
sorry for the placement on this post...just trying to figure this out...lol

thanx for your time
Sam

Samwise,

Having gone through the replacement of a TH350 with an SM465 (same as Deac, I suspect), I can say that swapping to a 700-R4 or 200-4R would have been much easier. The 200-4R can swap with the TH350 without any driveshaft mods, just crossmember mods.

One thing to keep in mind is a 3.73 rear with the tranny Mike is running equates to a 2.73 ratio in overdrive. With that in mind, I'm planning on swapping my rear gears. With the SM465 running into 2.73 rear gears, the 1st gear ratio is 17.9:1. With Mike's 4 speed, 1st gear into a 3.73 rear will be 11.5:1.

So, in theory at least, the SM465 can offer the same range and be bulletproof at the same time. At least that's what I'm hopin'

Oh, and howdy again guys. I've been off the board for over a year, but my user account is still active. Don't worry, I didn't stray into bent-eight land, but other priorities kept me away from the inline.

Greg

I'm running that setup(SM465 into 2.73) now in my '84 K10. It cruises real nice on the highway, but because my 305 bent 8 is short on low end torque, I'm the slowest thing in the world off the line. I've got a 292 waiting to go in this truck when the 305 finally dies(194K and counting). I suspect the 292 with it's great low end torque will love this gearing.

Magic Mike,

where did you get your GM MY-6.

I do believe the GM MY-6 was actually the Chrysler New Process A-833 (Aluminum case. Three speed with overdrive). They came in Chevy\GMC trucks in the eighties. Early ones still had the Mopar bolt pattern hooked up to a Chevy bellhousing. But later ones had the GM pattern.

Greg

[img]http://www.v8buick.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=49372&stc=1[/img]

[img]http://www.v8buick.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=49374[/img]

Deac69
I think it depends what you like. If you like the automatic then go with an automatic with overdrive.
I like automatics in my family car, but that's me. I have a T5 in my 47/54 chevy. It's a 47 that has a 54 cab and front clip. It has the original 216 6 cylinder with that 5 speed and open drive line in it. I love the way it runs and I enjoy shifting the gears. I can leave my tires on the road if I want, but I take it easy. I will be runing down the road at about 40 -45 mph and shift into 5th and rpms are at around 1000. I like it so much that I got one from Tom Langdon and it is going into my 53 chevy wagon with a 373 rear gears and a 53 full pressure 235. I recently obtained a 3 speed OD out of a 57 chevy that is going into my 54 GMC and what I have heard alot of people like them. That is what I have and I like it but like I said it is a matter of what you like. Automatic or manual should be the big factor in your desision. If you go with an overdrive automatic or manual it should improve overall drivability.
Good luck and enjoy
Steve