Just bought a 1990 chevy 350 out of a k5 blazer. Plan on using it for my t bucket project. Anyone have any opinions/ideas on what transmission I should be looking for that will match up with the motor. Have been looking into the turbo 350, but before I buy i need an experts opinion. A manual is preferable.
I drive automatics, I don't like AODs so I guess a T350 would be as good a choice as any. Depends on what you plan on doing with it.
Transmission choices are like opinions, everyone has one and they are all different. What will the car be used for, cruise night ten miles away, or cross country trips? Will the motor remain almost stock, or never idle below 1100? You say it will be a Tee bucket, but you want a stick trans. That tells me you have never driven a Tee bucket, there is no footroom. Most guys put the gas peddle under his right foot and the brake under his left, and the column between. If you have size tens or bigger, there is no more room. It has been done, but it is really difficult. My opinion? For a 350 chev in a bucket look for a 200R. Thats gives a nice low gear, and overdrive, the best of both worlds. Have fun!
Before you decide on a manual transmission, figure out where you're gonna put the clutch pedal, and how you'll be able to operate it comfortable. Not much room in a bucket! It's really hard to recommend something without knowing all the details about the rest of the car, and intended use as pork said. Tell us a lot more.
Alright here's the scoop. I'm 17 year old and this is my budget t bucket.. I plan on using it to cruise around maybe at the furthest a 2 hour trip to the shore..I am open to an automatic tranny and without the foot room that may be my best bet. The status of the build is a complete frame and working on completing the rolling chassis now..the motor will remain almost stock except for removing the tbi for a carb. Also I have a size 10 1/2 so an automatic is probably the best bet
Good choice Process of elimination. A 350 TH will be fine and any later mods to the engine can be complimented by mods to the trans. Pat
I'd go TH350. 700r4's are too finnicky for my liking and my friends have never had much luck with them. TH350's can be made pretty bulletproof for cheap. A T-bucket will be light enough to use a reasonably high-geared rearend for economy without having to sacrifice much performance.
Either a Turbo 350 or an aluminum powerglide,, such a light car would be fun with a first gear capable of around 70 mph,,(powerglide) I loved my 56 chevy with a powerglide, depending on gear ratio of course, However being as you are budget minded, better watch which gears you use, 3.00 or 3.25 would be adequate, that el camino rear probably had 2.73, but you can determine for sure by taking the cover off and reading the nbrs on the ring, sometimes a tag has the info, any higher nbrs will more than likely tempt you to burn rubber, and money. If cruising at highway speeds is going to be the bulk of your travels, get a 350.. They all hook up the same, but not sure of lengths . Have fun...
Get a TH350, then put a manual shift kit in it. You'll get foot room, and still have a tranny to shift. I had room issues on my Austin and took this route.
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