I have a TH350 gearbox I plan on using in my 48 GMC panel van, a friend of mine has seen a brand new tremec 5speed manual for sale. I don't know how much for yet. My question is which is best ? If they can be compared.
There are die hard manual transmission fans and those who live in bumper to bumper traffic. Since I live in L.A., home of the giant parking lot, my cars have automatics.
You're going to have to make this decision. The big differences... Do you want to shift or not? the 5-speed has overdrive, the TH350 is 1:1 the TH350 has more parasitic loss than the 5-speed
TREMEC!!! I live in bumper to bumper "mini L.A."... Phoenix. I wouldn't be without an over drive ever again. Let's put it this way, last fall I finally screwed together my girlfriends '62 falcon wagon. I set it up against my will with a lousy assed C4 automatic, and with 3.50 gears I can't even get enough speed to safely even consider jumping on ANY local freeway without an overdrive. It will soon be getting a T-50 5 speed 'cause it's pretty apparent she isn't going to drive it anyway. It would certainly get a Tremec if the need for it's strength was there, this is a 200 inch mostly stock six. I freakin HATE automatics! My TKO 500 absolutely transformed my avatar from a completely comprimised, high stall automatic, too high geared slug that did nothing very well into a drive anywhere, go fast at will with some pretty good milage kinda car. That was over 100,000 miles of brutal driving ago. Other than some crappy mid-shifters that were all that was availabel at the time, my travels with this trans have been completely trouble free. Buy the Tremec, it'll be the best money you spend on your car, just like mine. Oh, and get the correct rear axle gear ratio too.
As the guys said, how you are going to drive the car and where may have more to do with it. It also goes along with what you are used to. If you past five daily drivers have had automatics you probably ought to go automatic but if your go to work car has a row your own lever the five speed will be easy for you to get along with. I love my manual transmissions but even the five speed in my daily driver box with wheels can get tiresome when I am stuck in heavy traffic and it takes no effort to work the clutch in it.
I had a C6 with a 2500 stall and shift kit with a 3:50 diff but for some reason, the 429 was sluggish. Transmission was not in sync with the engines power curve. Converted to a Tremec TKO 600 and the engine came alive. The model I installed was the wide ratio gearing for bumper to bumper traffic with a .64 overdrive. I also found on the highway, if I couldn't maintain revs above 1800, the overdrive actually bogged the engine. Hence found myself down shifting into 4th for more lively performance. Shifting is fun, slush box is lazy. BTW, I installed a hydraulic clutch set up, so shifting is easy. Besides, real hot rods have three pedals......
Be careful when calculating O/D ratios. The above is exactly why I ordered the .82 O/D in my TKO 600. DD
If you have the dam $3000 in your way, Yeah, Tremic!!! You'll have to go floor shift. The th350 you have, will cost a $100 drive shaft & $50 to make a crossmember, & you could utilize the stock column shifter to shift. What Engine????
Speaking of $3000 Tremics, I dont know about the UK, but here in the states you could get a 5speed S10 for less than half of that, If you plan in suspension ungrades too & do a whole chassis swap. GO BIG!!!
Be Carefull.... Many people say they are tremecs, but they are Borgs before Tremec bought them.... Thats the whole S10 - camaro- Mustang tranny thing, as previously stated... Some of thos 5 speeds werent real good.... front and rear bearing issues. You might google the number to find out for sure...
Speaking of $3000 Tremics, I dont know about the UK, but here in the states you could get a 5speed S10 for less than half of that, If you plan in suspension ungrades too & do a whole chassis swap. GO BIG!!! I plan on a jaguar xjs front and rear subframes which I have the front end is nearly completely stripped down ready for new bushes and welding. The rear is still as is from the doner car. I have been speaking to Paul burnham from burnham autos. He will be fitting the front and rear ends and also the engine for me.
I have a Chevy small block V8 to go in it. Floor shift is ok, I have only just learnt to column shift. Fun to learn but I think I will get tired of it soon. I have never really liked automatics before. I think I will try and find out the cost of the tremec then decide.
I installed a TKO500 behind a 390 FE...fun. I installed a TKO600 behind a 350 sbc (Avatar)....more fun. Ran a 200 4R behind a sbc 350 Camaro...lazy way to go, recently installed a AOD begind a sbf302 special construction '36...another lazy way to go.
I just installed a mmII & Jag IRS with a 3.08 rear gear, a column shifted 1960 3 speed with a 235. Note: When installing the rearnd center it in the wheel well it'll look better, the stock location is too far forward.
lots of linkage to install with the manual clutch shift etc even if the old stuff is still under the dash making it work takes some figuring. There are all the give 'em your VISA card compnies that can sell you hydraulic set up to do it under the dash or through the firewall. Now I know waaaaay to many guys from Ol' Blighty to know that you blokes think you have to row the gears and a TH350 is for Mum's minivan..Your call
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