'74 vega 4 speed

will a '74 vega 4 speed bolt in to my stock '56 chevy 283? Modifications?

 

Hey introduce yourself. Now the trans. is a typical Saginaw, it should be a go. Not terribly strong, be gentle.

 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44274
READ THIS!

 

it should be a saginaw and should bolt write to your bellhousing

 

I think you'll find that the Vega/Monza versions of this trans have no provision for attaching the shifter. In the GM H-bodies the shifter bolted to the floor pan instead of the trans extension housing. That said, the mounting bosses will likely still be cast into the housing but not drilled and tapped, and it might be pretty simple to do it yourself or have it done.

Also, since these were used behind some fairly low powered engines, don't be surprised if you end up with a really low first gear. Not a bad transmission, but not built for countinuous thrashing.

 

The tail housing from a Saginaw 3 speed is a direct swap, they are more plentiful and most of the ones I have had had the shifter mounts. IIRC 1st gear on the Vega/Monza boxes is like 3.11 to 1.

 

The provisions for the shifter are there,just no threads tapped.

 

I have a Hurst shifter on mine. No biggie

 

I used one behind a 350 in my 69 chevy pickup.I even used the vega shifter,bolted to the cab floor.I had to cut the shift lever off and turn it around to clear the bench seat. looked factory,and I even pulled a camper with it.

 

I remember a Stock Car Racing magazine article talking manual transmissions, apparently some of these are stronger than you'd think, and you can ID the gears in it by rings on the input shaft. They were telling you for circle track racing you wanted the one with three rings, it had the tallest gears.

 

That would be a short with 3.50 first. I think what you mean is a wide ratio.

 

been running one in my 59 elky for a bizillion miles. but thinkng about the 5 speed

 

I kind of liked the stock shifter. Maybe I should put it back

 

I have seen some Vegas that had an Opel transmission, I know that these have an integral shifter rather than one atached to the side of the trans, and if I remember right the Opel transmissions had the bellhousing one piece with the trans case. Avoid that one, but the Saginaw will bolt up to your bellhousing.

 

Thanks for all the good info, I will have the original shifter and linkage and try to make work.
Asa

 

Ran one for several years in a circle track car. Flogged it every lap. Used trans with a 2.20 second gear and 3.10 rear for a final of 6.90. Trans outlasted clutch and Be reasonable and you should not have any problems.

 

Every now and again on eb%# you'll find the mounting plate for the tail housings that have no holes. It uses the tailhousing bolts next to the side cover and attaches at the end with a U-bolt. It's a Hurst product.

 

I put a vega ****** in a 55 chev back in 89 replaced a T10 it was great! 1rst gear was lower than the other trans and the car loved it still runnin strong .........the shifter bolts were tapped on the one I had.......... hurst shifter bolted right on

 

Have "Flogged" mine for five years now. My 57 has a 355 SBC (2) 4s and a big Comp cam. Had no problem using the stock 57 chev V8 bell housing.
I'm using a Hurst Comp+ shifter.

 

will the drive shaft yoke splines be the same on the orig 3sp trans and the 74 vega 4 speed?