Thread: Muncie 4-speed vs. Saginaw 4-speed

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I believe that the first gen Camaro was the only chevrolet vehicle to have a 302 in it. and the only tranny they used behind it was a muncie 4-speed. I am wanting to know if the Saginaw would have the same performance that the close ratio muncie has. Or i would like to know if anyone has had any bad experiences with saginaws.

The Saginaw was ok as long as you don't put a lot of power to it. If you are running any V8 stronger that stock avoid this transmission. Munci came in models 20, 21 and 22. The 22 is comonly called the rock crusher and is noisy. The ratios in each are different. the nastyz28 web site has good information on all of them.

Doug

I agree with Doug......Saginaws are npt for any power applications.....I tried one for kicks behind my 365hp 327........boom!....stay with the Muncies

The horsepower thing being said, Saginaw trannies have better gear ratios than Muncies for a street car. The 1st gear is much better, but like said, watch the HP.....good for a light street car....Nova, Vega, etc

M21 and M22 had the same gear ratios. Low was 2.20. M20 had two different ratios, but they were close: 2.53 and 2.56.

With a strong engine, I prefer the M22, as the 20 degree gear angle and higher nickel content made a much stronger box. With a little weaker engine, the higher low gear gave a little more kick off of the line.

Although, I ran an M20 in a 68 GTO in the 11's and never broke it. After about 8 years, I took it down and replaced the bearings and synchros. Ran it another 8 years.

The Saginaw's are fine in a light rod -I've ran several,But the above notion of them not being able to handle the horsepower is probably an accurate statement.
I would however say this, if its a daily driver and you were just mainly street driving it -they are fine.
The main thing that was wrong with that picture was the crappy shifters usually attached to them!
A decent Hurst shifter renders the Saginaws a whole new lease on life.
The lowest ratio Saginaw I have had had a 3:50 -1 first gear ratio,so itreally gave the car a lot of low end and at same time allowed a better road gear to be used in rear end of the car.

It's funny...........the crappy shifters that GM installed were Muncie shifters.

saginaws have a weak 3rd gear lol get a muncie and yes the 1st gen camaros were the only ones with 302's......my 2 cents.....scooter

Originally posted by gassersrule_196
saginaws have a weak 3rd gear lol get a muncie and yes the 1st gen camaros were the only ones with 302's......my 2 cents.....scooter

Yeah, Scotter, then only in the Z-28. That is the only Camaro that ever had the 302 chevy. 1967-1969. The one and only motor that came in the Z-28 in those years.

i know that..... ......scooter p.s its scooter lol not scotter

i was being vague i already know about the z28's ok damn not to get offenisve tot he geezerz......scooter