Author Topic: Stumped about which transmission to use.  (Read 5199 times)

Offline rfincher86

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Stumped about which transmission to use.
« on: April 26, 2012, 01:09:04 PM »
I have a 1980 Chevy c10 2wd with a mild 355 that currently has a SM465 floor shift and I am wanting to get away from the low gears and swap to something with better gearing and possibly an overdrive. I have been doing a little research and have found a lot of transmissions that I like but I am having a hard time deciding which is best for me. I really like the A833 but it seems as if I would have a very hard time finding one. I looked at the T5 but it seems as if it would be weak and I also read that it would only work if I had bucket seats in my truck because of shifter location. I seem to be leaning more toward the T56 now but it looks like the shifter is far back on it as well. I do not want to even attempt a swap to an automatic just because that entails way too much work to be done.... I am really stumped about what to do! Any advice? what manual transmissions do you guys have in your c10's?

Offline zieg85

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Re: Stumped about which transmission to use.
« Reply #1 on: April 26, 2012, 02:21:06 PM »
First of all, welcome to the site from NW Indiana...  What is the rear end gear in your truck?
Carl 
1985 C20 Scottsdale 7.4L 4 speed 3.21
1986 C10 under construction
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Offline rfincher86

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Re: Stumped about which transmission to use.
« Reply #2 on: April 26, 2012, 02:53:47 PM »
It has been a long time since I have looked at it but I believe it is 4.10.

Offline zieg85

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Re: Stumped about which transmission to use.
« Reply #3 on: April 26, 2012, 03:20:03 PM »
Your budget and level of mechanical experience is key.  A 4.10 is low for a C-10.  Unless you need the power to pull a house or your cam falls flat at the low rpm side if it were me I would look into a higher gear.  Do you do any highway driving?  Out of all my trucks I like the SM 465 with my 3.21 rear end.  I haven't driven my truck with the A833 yet so I don't know what to expect but am thinking I will probably have to run 3rd till about 70 with my 86.
Carl 
1985 C20 Scottsdale 7.4L 4 speed 3.21
1986 C10 under construction
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Offline rfincher86

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Re: Stumped about which transmission to use.
« Reply #4 on: April 26, 2012, 03:35:01 PM »
I do a good bit of highway driving. The SM465 that is in my truck is a good transmission but it just seems like it is too low, It is heck off the line but it seems to top out pretty fast. I want to find something that will still jump off the line pretty hard but not top out so fast. Do you think just changing my rear gear ratio will help? I would much rather just change the rear gear ratio than buying and replacing the transmission...

Offline zieg85

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Re: Stumped about which transmission to use.
« Reply #5 on: April 26, 2012, 03:43:37 PM »
Your 4th gear is 1:1 so unless you get an overdrive your top speed will be the same.  Sounds much easier and less expensive by just changing out the rear end.  What is your rear tire size?
« Last Edit: April 26, 2012, 03:45:34 PM by zieg85 »
Carl 
1985 C20 Scottsdale 7.4L 4 speed 3.21
1986 C10 under construction
https://www.facebook.com/groups/248658382003506/

Offline Blazin

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Re: Stumped about which transmission to use.
« Reply #6 on: April 26, 2012, 05:48:25 PM »
Swapping to a higher rear gear would be way less work than swapping in a different transmission.
If you have 4:10s now even 3:55s would be a large improvement, but still get up and go decent from a dead stop.
Not to mention swapping a standard transmission that was never offered in these trucks is just as much work as swapping from the SM465 to an automatic trans.
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Offline bake74

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Re: Stumped about which transmission to use.
« Reply #7 on: April 27, 2012, 05:47:37 AM »
     I agree, swapping the rear end gear is easier.  The 2wd version of the A833 is more common than the 4wd version, at least out west, I ran across 2 of the 2wd ones in pick-n-pull when I was looking for my 4wd version.
     Maybe you should look into swapping both out.
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Offline rfincher86

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Re: Stumped about which transmission to use.
« Reply #8 on: April 27, 2012, 11:20:12 AM »
I have not looked for an A833, I just read that they are hard to find. If I do find an A833 the shifter should match up to the hole currently in my floor since they were an option for that year, correct? I imagine I would still have to do something with my driveshaft? Will the A833 bolt to the SM465 bellhousing or will I need to find a bellhousing for the A833? Are the A833 transmissions manual or hydraulic clutch? I am sorry for so many questions but I do not know much about the different types of transmissions out there.

Offline zieg85

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Re: Stumped about which transmission to use.
« Reply #9 on: April 27, 2012, 11:34:54 AM »
I have not looked for an A833, I just read that they are hard to find. If I do find an A833 the shifter should match up to the hole currently in my floor since they were an option for that year, correct? I imagine I would still have to do something with my driveshaft? Will the A833 bolt to the SM465 bellhousing or will I need to find a bellhousing for the A833? Are the A833 transmissions manual or hydraulic clutch? I am sorry for so many questions but I do not know much about the different types of transmissions out there.

Totally different hole and driveshaft.  Depends on your bell housing or the A833 you find.  "usually" most of the A833's have a different bolt pattern and the 81 on up bell housings have the dual pattern.  I have seen the standard pattern on them as well, (I have one).  Finding one will depend on how active the wrecking yards near you crushed the cars when scrap prices went through the roof.  They are fairly rare in my parts because most have been long gone with rust and crushing fatalities.  One of mine I won on eBay and drove 600 miles to get it.  My second I stumbled across one at a swap meet, the seller didn't know what he had.  The third one came in a truck I bought off of eBay which I eventually sold less engine/trans.
Carl 
1985 C20 Scottsdale 7.4L 4 speed 3.21
1986 C10 under construction
https://www.facebook.com/groups/248658382003506/

Offline choptop

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Re: Stumped about which transmission to use.
« Reply #10 on: April 27, 2012, 06:19:07 PM »
Id definately swap rearends. I donw know where you are but around here, complete rearends with the gears you want are easy to find.  4:11s are harder to find. I know, Im looking.
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