transmission question

[1983stepside]

im building a 1983 chevy c10 stepside 2wd ive owned since i was 14 and im 21 now i just took it apart in may of 2008 to the frame and im gonna put in a 350 instead of the 250 straight six and a 4 speed instead of the 3 i was wondering tho what year truck can i fina a top mounted four speed i DO NOT want any linkage nuttin but problems (at least with me  ) so i was gonna go to the junk yard and awap meets when the weather gets nicer and look for one thanks any info or pics would be great

[Blazin]

An SM456 out of any two wheel drive Chevy truck will work. You will need the center section of the floor to go with it. Will have to cut yours out and bolt the new section in with self tapping screws.

[1983stepside]

thanks for the info so ill have to cut my tunnel out and put the new one in is that right

[HAULIN IT]

Blazin' answered your question correctly of coarse, however I would like to see you re-think that as a swap. The SM456 is a "TRUCK" transmission, as in : creeper gear 1st gear. My way of thinking...it has no business in a street cruiser, dump truck, maybe. The T-5 (OD trans) out of a late '80's-up Camaro/Firebird would be more suited for a lowered "hot rod". It will pose a few obstacles that are able to be dealt with. I realize that wasn't  your question, but just a little food for thought. Lorne

[1983stepside]

thanks for the info i want a true four or five speed trans
what kind of problems would i run in to if i used one out of a camaro or firebird

[team39763]

I think the one on the camaro/firebird is tilted a little bit to the driver's side, so shifter placement will be altered a little bit.  I don't think it's a big issue with our trucks.

[HAULIN IT]

Yes, team is correct. The BELL HOUSING is tilted. Using the tranny with a normal bell housing makes it straight. Some years used cable speedo's & the newer ones use electric. Probably best to do a search for "T-5 swap" or something like that, I'm sure you can find the info you need. Lorne

[Captkaos]

If you are going to beat on the T5 from a F-body, you will break it, so watch when getting one, they were probably already abused, and GM didn't offer them behind 350's for a reason.

[1983stepside]

was wonderng if a muncie would work even tho it has linkage or what about an s10 tranny thanks

[Captkaos]

Any transmission will work.  I have used a Muncie and a Doug Nash 4+1 (richmond) trans on mine.
An S10 trans is worse than a F-body trans.

[eventhorizon66]

There are companies (G-force comes to mind) that will seriously beef up a T5 trans at a premium price.  I've heard these T5s when equipped with a Pro 5.0 shifter are better than any other off-the-self aftermarket transmission.  But that's just gossip, and the price is steep.  Just thought you should know.

[1983stepside]

well captkaos what trans would you recomend for me my truck has stock 350 that i will replace with a crate motor some day but for now the motor is stock so what trans would you sugest thats really what im wanting

[zieg85]

With a stock rear end you will need a low enough first gear so you will have clutch life.  Consider the MY6 4 speed overdrive.  It has a 3.09 first gear.  It is the same length as the 3 speed and uses the same driveshaft.  My $.02 

[Captkaos]

We are only seeing a part of your setup.
How do you plan to drive it?  When you get a crate motor are you just going to drop it in?  What is your budget?
If it is going to be moderately mild and you aren't going to be abusing it everyday the F-body trans will work.  I would seriously look into rebuilding it though.

I would get a 5speed TKO-500 if I ever planned future upgrades to the motor.
http://www.keislerauto.com/index.php?/gm-street-rod/kit-car-perfectfit-5-speed-kit-tko-500.html

[1983stepside]

i plan on puting in 4:10 gears and the motor im gonna chang the cam so it has a lil more of a rough idle and bottom end the motor may or may not be a crate motor but either way it will be a 383 stroker but that wont come for a year or so