STRONG 4/5 speed Chevy (55+) Manual Transmission?

Okay, some research shows that T-5's are easily killed with much less than 400 ft. lbs. of torque, so that's out.

Muncies are nice, but the gearing is not optimal for the application...

Need something strong, something with a low 1st gear (3.00+), 4/5 speeds, chevy pattern, etc.

Any ideas?

 

some super t10s came with something like 3.43 low

 

Saginaw:
M20 (6-cyl) 3.11 2.20 1.47 1.00 -- has ok gear ratios, but i doubt it is strong enough

Here's a BW listed at 3.44 first, but not sure what model it is

Borg-Warner T-10 2nd Design 3.44 2.28 1.46 1.00 n/a

 

just checked 74 to 95 st10 6 groove imput 3.42 low

 

saginaw should be strong enough if it's in good shape and you don't abuse it.

 

But I might abuse it lol

 

here's a good list of ratios

http://www.chevymania.com/tech/trans-ratios.htm

 

then run an automatic

serious

 

I have a doug nash 4+1 ,5 speed ,one thru 4 is for speed and power and 5th is for cruzin the highway,

 

I also have an extra complete set up with new clutch and all the acc.,even every nut and bolt that you need for a 55 chevy to include the pedal setup, but it will cost ya!

 

Is that 4+1 the Corvette 5 speed? Or is it the newer Richmond 5 speeds?

I know DW is having a hard time with the shifter in his Richmond. Maybe he'll chime in with the issues he's had with his, and with finding a better one. The 2nd to 3rd shift is horrendous. Really clunky.

But they are supposed to hold up to plenty of power. He's running mid 11's in his coupe, with a blower. Light car with hardly any traction, but still.

 

Saginaws are NOT recommended for anything with more than 350hp or ft/lbs of torque - they are very popular behind sbc in Jeep V8 conversions because reverse is also in the box, not the tailshaft housing (as in Muncie/T-10) - but they just won't take much abuse at all.

dj

 

I have used Saginaw transmissions with small block Chev's in light 3200# cars, beat the s--t out of them and never a problem. A heavy car with lots of HP may be a problem. I currently have one with about 325HP in a 3000# car with 3.10 gears and 225x75x15" tires time will tell if it holds up but I am betting it will.

 

my saginaw story....about the time that I put one in my truck behind a 396, a friend put one in his truck behind a 396. 25 years later he is still running his, never had to work on it, 6 months later I had an auto in mine after tearing it up twice. drag racing is hard on them! specially if you leave your foot on the gas when you shift

If you can find a wide ratio super T-10 that would be the way to go.

 

Tremec TKO-500 or 600. I had one in my tudor and now in my coupe, extremely durable trannies. The 600 is rated at 600lbs/ft and has a 2.87 1st. The 500 has a 3.27 first, and subsequently is rated at 500lbs/ft. Its nice to not have to deal with external linkages as well. They are pricey but they work.

5speedtransmissions.com deals exclusively with them and has good insight in installation on virtually any car.

 

I have a DN 4 +1 in my 56 with a BBC and that has held up well even with the abuse handed out by my patent lead foot.

Car dynoed out at 550lbft and seems to take my 5K power launch in in its stride.

Now watch it lunch itself on the way to the shops.....

P.

 

tremec tko600 5 speed. good to 600hp/600ft lbs. this is a nice ****** full of options. not cheap though around 1600, but it's worth it!

 

There were very rare doug nash 5 speeds in some 2nd gen trans-ams too, but i think it was limited to pace cars or something.. very hard to find.

 

The doug nash 5 speeds where only in tuner versions like the Mecham.

I have a ST10 with a 3.42 first gear (Z ge****t, 6 identifying grooves on the input shaft) in my turbocharged small block camaro. I have one with a nodular iron "904" case. Don't run the Z ge****t in a aluminum case as a stock 350 will break it. They went to the iron case in late 80 and 81 to fix this issue. Early production 80's has an aluminum cased 3.42 first gear trans that broke a lot.

The aluminum case is strong enough for the standard 2.64 first which is more common since it was used from 75-79 in all hipo 4 speed applications for GM. In 75' there is also a rare 2.43 first gear ST10 that was only used in trans ams. It has the strongest ge****t.

 

The Richmond 5 speed IS a Doug Nash 5 speed. Richmond bought the design. It is a super simple, super strong design. 1st gear is 3.28.....then 2.13, 1.57, 1.24, & finaly 5th is 1.1.
I love the gearbox but the Hurst shifter is a turd! A rough, notchy turd. Shell out the few extra coins for the one made by Long. I need to!!!

 

I have the Richmond 5 speed behind my 427 in my A with the Long shifter and love it. I have a 2.8 rear gear in the 9 inch, but 1 thru 4 are geared like I have a 4.11 rear and then the 5 gear is the 1 to 1 for the freeway. Taken it all over the USA and the only time it gets tedious is slow cruises with lots of stop and goes. My leg almost falls off! Also in the future if i need it 2.8 to 3.0 pumpkins are cheap!

 

DW ....you are correct Sir !
I use a Hurst Comp shifter on my 55 chevy with right at 450 rwhp and also leave at 4500 rpm and have had no problems,
(yet,hope I didn't just jenks it)
mine is the old stlye (true) Doug Nash 4+1

 

Yeah, I think Richmond is making a 5 speed now w/ 5th as overdrive?
Mines just 1.1 though.

 

its a 6 speed they are making which is really the 5 speed with an overdrive gear added in the tail, a little longer I think

 

No. They are making a new one. It's called the Liberty s.c..
1st gear is avail as 3.33 or 2.89.
2nd........................1.85
3rd.........................1.31
4th..........................1.1
5th...........................0.77
They say she is rated to hold 600 lb.ft
AND......it comes w/ the Long shifter. Wish this was avail. when I bought mine. Any one wanna buy a slightly used richmond?

 

wow thats pretty cool, the 6 speed overdrive must have caused problems lobbed onto the end of the 5 speed for strength. So they somehow made the overdrive as strong as the old 5 speed is.

oh well, still love mine

 

My wide ratio Muncie has held up to many launches in my 57. It is a wide ratio one though. It doesn't really take that much abuse because my car doesn'y hook for spit.

 

Dang, sellin' the blower and the trans? You might as well scap the whole jalopy and start over.

 

You know, I make a couple of smart *** comments, and leave it to Buzzard to bust my balls. Better watch it buddy. I know where you live! Well............zip code anyway.

Damn, now you folks have me coveting a new shifter. Damn you all.

 

Oh, & check out Richmondgear.com cause their website has a ****-ton of handy stuff.