TH350 to manual options

[kentucky_smith]

Just thinking here. What would be a good option for swapping to an overdrive manual transmission? Not a bulldog 5 speed. I just replaced the 307 with a stout built 355. 3.73 rear. Would be nice to have an OD, and I like manual transmissions. Does a T56 have an OD? Truck came factory with TH350, so would need clutch pedal parts as well.


Anyone done this? What would be a good donor vehicle?

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by kentucky_smith

Just thinking here. What would be a good option for swapping to an overdrive manual transmission? Not a bulldog 5 speed. I just replaced the 307 with a stout built 355. 3.73 rear. Would be nice to have an OD, and I like manual transmissions. Does a T56 have an OD? Truck came factory with TH350, so would need clutch pedal parts as well.


Anyone done this? What would be a good donor vehicle?

Is the budget big or small? An economical OD manual tranny is the T5. See my signature for a link to my website. Lots of info there. I have an inline 6 cylinder and I really like the T5 I have. The T5 will not stand up to abuse. With the 3.73 rear you will want the 0.72 OD gear or possibly the 0.63 found in the V8 versions.

Since you already have things set up for AT, why not consider a 700R4? That has a 0.72 OD gear IIRC.

A Tremec manual tranny will handle pretty much anything you throw at it but they are much more $$$$$. Make sure you match the OD gear to the rear diff gear for the best drivability.

[storm9c1]

Originally Posted by kentucky_smith

Does a T56 have an OD?

T56 has two overdrive gears.

http://t56transmission.com/general-t...56-gear-ratios

Back in the late 90s to early 2000s, we would get them from Camaros. But you can get them from many sources now.

[kentucky_smith]

I had bad luck with a 700r4 in a diesel Blazer I had. Went through 3 of them. And I miss shifting gears.

Is there a writeup somewhere someone has done? I'd imagine hydraulic clutch would be easier.

[slotard]

T56 has a fairly tall OD, exactly how tall depends on what it's out of.

If you didn't want to grab gears I'd suggest a 4L80E, they're pretty durable. Since you do, the T56 is probably your best bet. I suspect one out of an LT1 transmerobird would bolt up to your engine, I know the LS1 version is a little different but don't know how.

[Nitis]

Originally Posted by kentucky_smith

I had bad luck with a 700r4 in a diesel Blazer I had. Went through 3 of them. And I miss shifting gears.

Is there a writeup somewhere someone has done? I'd imagine hydraulic clutch would be easier.

That wasn't the 700r4s fault that was the fault of whoever thought that combo was a good idea. Only auto I know of to ever survive behind those old diesels was a th400. The diesel were so gutless they constantly needed to shift

I wouldn't let that experience stand in my way here. Don't get me wrong I love a good handshaker but I'm also all about simplicity

[kentucky_smith]

True. I've got a local transmission shop that does great work. I talked to them today. They can rebuild a 700r4 and put it in for under $1000 with a guarantee. It's 6 miles from my house and can do it in a day. Might go that route just for simplicity.

[slotard]

They know it's going in place of a TH350? I believe there's an extra cable that has to go from the carb to the tranny.

[Nitis]

Originally Posted by kentucky_smith

True. I've got a local transmission shop that does great work. I talked to them today. They can rebuild a 700r4 and put it in for under $1000 with a guarantee. It's 6 miles from my house and can do it in a day. Might go that route just for simplicity.

Where is this? I'll be there soon

You better jump on that

[kentucky_smith]

Yep, I talked to the guy at length about my options and what I already have.