73-87chevytrucks.com

73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Engine/Drivetrain => Topic started by: 1983stepside on January 29, 2012, 02:57:23 PM

Title: whats a good manual trans?????????
Post by: 1983stepside on January 29, 2012, 02:57:23 PM
I'm building a 1983 Chevy c-10 2WD, stepside, and it had a 3 speed in it with a 250 i-6, i took all that out and am using a 350 horse 350 v-8, and I'm looking for a good 4 speed, or 5 or 6, for that matter, that i don't have to re build the floor to get trans to fit, or anthing like that, and also doesn't have to be but id like to use a hydraulic clutch, but not a must have, any ideas, tips, links, and pics would be awesome the truck will have 3:73, in rear end, and its going to be on air bags, not laying frame, it ll just be as low as i can get it, with out cutting the body, or bed floor, so anything any one could give as far as the trans and a good one to use, thank you in advanced
Title: Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
Post by: zieg85 on January 29, 2012, 03:28:52 PM
With a 3.73 you can go with a Muncie 4 speed M21 and have a ball.  It is a direct replacement for the original 3 speed in it.  Drive shaft length and yoke will fit great.  The M20 will give you a slightly lower first gear.  Those are the easiest to go with.  Finding a MY6 A833 new process 4 speed overdrive is also a direct replacement but harder to find. 
Title: Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
Post by: yellowk20 on January 29, 2012, 03:53:15 PM
A T-5 5speed from a later model C1500 would be an ok swap.   as would a NV3500 or NV3550
Title: Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
Post by: 1983stepside on January 29, 2012, 04:29:54 PM
With a 3.73 you can go with a Muncie 4 speed M21 and have a ball.  It is a direct replacement for the original 3 speed in it.  Drive shaft length and yoke will fit great.  The M20 will give you a slightly lower first gear.  Those are the easiest to go with.  Finding a MY6 A833 new process 4 speed overdrive is also a direct replacement but harder to find.
thanks zieg85 for the info, i actually have an a883 new process or at least i think that's what it is, i bought a while ago, but i was told that there not good for what i have, and they cant really handle an occasion beating as well as as a muncie, so that's why i was looking for something different, have you heard any different? i know it ll make me get better mpg, but I'm not to worried about that since the truck wont be a dd, i don't know maybe if you have any more info on the new process i might just use that thanks again
Title: Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
Post by: zieg85 on January 29, 2012, 04:38:55 PM
The A-833 is a great transmission IMO but I have never beat on one.  The non- OD Mopar version go behind Hemi's.  Some say because overdrive is in the place of 3rd gear, it makes them weaker.  I have 3 of them on a shelf so I am certainly gonna try one out in my project truck which is a 1986 C10, originally a 3 on the tree with a 4.3L.  The 5.7L engine that is going in there ran like a scalded dog that came from a 1986 Suburban, hoping to have a decent toy to play with.
Title: Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
Post by: 1983stepside on January 29, 2012, 05:03:07 PM
ya i read an artice that custom classic truck mag had, about the new process, and how they were used, in mopar, Ive never heard of this trans until a year or so ago when i figured out what i had, so i have no idea how it ll handle, i don't plan on beating on it on a daily basis, but my truck is a toy when i get it done, and there meant to have fun with lol, ill deff look into it more and the muncie, if i did go the muncie route, would here be any thing needed to be changed as far as trans tunnel, pedals, etc..... thanks again, id post a link to that article i read but i don't know how to do that
Title: Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
Post by: zieg85 on January 29, 2012, 05:20:39 PM
ya i read an artice that custom classic truck mag had, about the new process, and how they were used, in mopar, Ive never heard of this trans until a year or so ago when i figured out what i had, so i have no idea how it ll handle, i don't plan on beating on it on a daily basis, but my truck is a toy when i get it done, and there meant to have fun with lol, ill deff look into it more and the muncie, if i did go the muncie route, would here be any thing needed to be changed as far as trans tunnel, pedals, etc..... thanks again, id post a link to that article i read but i don't know how to do that
  \
They are almost identical in size, you shouldn't need to do a thing.  The only issue you may run into with the Muncie is the speedometer cable routing as they made two different tailshafts that the cable comes out the drivers side or you will need an extension as some come out of the passenger side.  You will also have to pay close attention to the shifter you choose to come out in the factory spot to clear the bench seat.
Title: Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
Post by: Captkaos on January 30, 2012, 10:36:10 PM
I pulled a 3 on the tree out of mine and put a M22 in its place.  I didn't change anything but the shifter to the floor.
Title: Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
Post by: zieg85 on January 30, 2012, 10:39:51 PM
I pulled a 3 on the tree out of mine and put a M22 in its place.  I didn't change anything but the shifter to the floor.

I thought the M22 had the fine splines only...
Title: Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
Post by: Captkaos on January 30, 2012, 10:59:34 PM
You asking about the clutch side or the output side.  I always replace the clutch if I am changing transmissions, and on the output I just put a 32 spline yoke on it.
Title: Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
Post by: Skunksmash on February 01, 2012, 10:12:58 PM
Get one of those t-56's out of some wrecked camaro or trans-am from the junkyard. Way better than a lot of those old junkers that came in some of the older stuff.
Title: Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
Post by: Captkaos on February 06, 2012, 05:03:15 PM
T-56's require a special flywheel and definitely a new clutch assem, they operate completely different.
Title: Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
Post by: Elpresidente on February 06, 2012, 06:43:42 PM
WAIT! Maybe I read this wrong, but an A833? The kind with the 3 speed + overdrive? That fits on a SBC?
My dads got 3 in my garage, guess I found a use for one of them!
Title: Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
Post by: zieg85 on February 06, 2012, 08:13:26 PM
WAIT! Maybe I read this wrong, but an A833? The kind with the 3 speed + overdrive? That fits on a SBC?
My dads got 3 in my garage, guess I found a use for one of them!

Google New Process A-833 and look.  There was a GM version and the RPO code for it was MY6.  It came in both 2 wheel and 4 wheel drive versions.  Came in 1/2 tons only, behind diesels and the 5.0L.  I don't know if it was available in 1987 behind the 5.7 TBI or not.
Title: Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
Post by: zieg85 on February 06, 2012, 08:21:51 PM
http://www.classicjunkyard.com/new_process_a833.htm
Title: Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
Post by: Captkaos on February 06, 2012, 09:37:52 PM
I personally have a Doug Nash 4+1 (pre- Richmond)  I plan to pound on it also.
Title: Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
Post by: gildardo01 on February 09, 2012, 09:26:35 AM
hey there, im having a really tough time identifying my c10 chevy pick up transmission here are some picks... thanks for the help..
its a 4 speed...
(http://i.imgur.com/ceWq6.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/IlS1u.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/MfCp7.jpg)
Title: Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
Post by: zieg85 on February 09, 2012, 03:19:42 PM
Good one, got me stumped.  Is reverse all the way to the left and down?  I wonder if it is the mysterious 5 speed GM was toying with before the NV3500 came out?
Title: Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
Post by: bake74 on February 10, 2012, 12:57:49 AM
hey there, im having a really tough time identifying my c10 chevy pick up transmission here are some picks... thanks for the help..
its a 4 speed...
(http://i.imgur.com/ceWq6.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/IlS1u.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/MfCp7.jpg)

     gildardo01, first off welcome to the site from California.  Could you give us more information.  What year c-10 do you have ?  You said it is a 4 speed, where is reverse gear located on the shifter ?
     The set of number that show up in one of your pics does not come up with anything, is there other numbers stamped somewhere on the case ?
     What does the left side look like, any numbers ?
Title: Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
Post by: gildardo01 on March 23, 2012, 08:21:05 AM
hey there sorry it took me a while to write back... i´m new with these forums and i thought i would get an email or something, when ever someone wrote back.. anyways... on the left side the following is cast in... RF-E4TR-7A040-AA
the year of the truck is 1980 and the reverse is on the bottom right side like most transmissions...
Title: Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
Post by: gildardo01 on March 23, 2012, 08:22:09 AM
Good one, got me stumped.  Is reverse all the way to the left and down?  I wonder if it is the mysterious 5 speed GM was toying with before the NV3500 came out?
but its a 4 speed...
Title: Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
Post by: 1980c10 on March 23, 2012, 12:58:09 PM
I have the nv3500 in my truck. It's been holding up fine to my 400 hp and if it doesn't I'll get it rebuilt. I get great mpgs and love how the gears are spaced. I don't have one regret using this transmission. It took a little extra effort getting it in there but nothing too serious.
Title: Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
Post by: zieg85 on March 23, 2012, 02:15:48 PM
hey there sorry it took me a while to write back... i´m new with these forums and i thought i would get an email or something, when ever someone wrote back.. anyways... on the left side the following is cast in... RF-E4TR-7A040-AA
the year of the truck is 1980 and the reverse is on the bottom right side like most transmissions...

http://www.justanswer.com/ford/0s5cg-specs-illustrations-tremec-rts-t170-ft-tranny.html

Interesting and based on the casting # it appears to be a 4 speed Ford with 4th gear being OD...  The illustration seems spot on.  I think it is a Tremec RTS T170 FT???
Title: Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
Post by: gildardo01 on March 23, 2012, 04:08:50 PM
hey there sorry it took me a while to write back... i´m new with these forums and i thought i would get an email or something, when ever someone wrote back.. anyways... on the left side the following is cast in... RF-E4TR-7A040-AA
the year of the truck is 1980 and the reverse is on the bottom right side like most transmissions...

http://www.justanswer.com/ford/0s5cg-specs-illustrations-tremec-rts-t170-ft-tranny.html

Interesting and based on the casting # it appears to be a 4 speed Ford with 4th gear being OD...  The illustration seems spot on.  I think it is a Tremec RTS T170 FT???
thats right... its exactly as the illustration in the link... but you know i´ve seen a lot of these transmissions and bellhousings down in mexico.... almost all the trucks have them...
Title: Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
Post by: zieg85 on March 23, 2012, 06:35:45 PM
I'd love to have one to try.  I had a 86 full sized Bronco with one, I liked the way it shifted.
Title: Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
Post by: gildardo01 on March 25, 2012, 01:31:48 PM
its a great transmission... now that i know what transmission it is, i´ve been trying to find a shifter for it... i really like the look of the hurst shifters, its more for looks rather than for shorter shifts... my first truck was a chevy 95 with a 5 speed and i installed a hurst shifter on it and i loved it... know any where they might sell a shifter for this transmission, i can´t seem to find much info... 
Title: Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
Post by: reload on March 25, 2012, 10:49:06 PM
Why no love for an SM465?  :P
Title: Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
Post by: bake74 on March 26, 2012, 06:40:44 AM
hey there sorry it took me a while to write back... i´m new with these forums and i thought i would get an email or something, when ever someone wrote back.. anyways... on the left side the following is cast in... RF-E4TR-7A040-AA
the year of the truck is 1980 and the reverse is on the bottom right side like most transmissions...

http://www.justanswer.com/ford/0s5cg-specs-illustrations-tremec-rts-t170-ft-tranny.html

Interesting and based on the casting # it appears to be a 4 speed Ford with 4th gear being OD...  The illustration seems spot on.  I think it is a Tremec RTS T170 FT???

      So this trans out of a for will bolt up to a chevy engine ?  Or do you need a special bell housing ?
Title: Re: whats a good manual trans?????????
Post by: gildardo01 on May 23, 2012, 11:37:56 AM
yeah you need a special bellhousing... a normal chevy bell housing is about 5 inches from the bottom ear to the top ear and on this transmission it is about 6 and half.....