Thread: 82 shortbox 5 speed conversion Q,s

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Ok so here is a little history

82 short box
68 3oo hrs vette 350 ( demon 650, fuile big valve heads)
ford posi 9 in rear 3:92/2:02 cruising open chunk

Currently I have a dieing 350TH Tranny

This truck is strictley a hobbie truck it gets driven rarely for some crusing and roding but when I do drive it I DRIVE it
So here is my question,

I have heard from a few Local hot rod guys That I can use a five speed from a 4.3 litre v6
I have also heard that this tranny will not hold up.


I also have a sag 4 speed that has been gone thru and is fresh
I know that the sag will work for a while but again depending on who I talk to
its good and bad.

I want the overdrive option so that I dont have to change my rear chunk so much when I take it on distance cruise
I also would rather have a manual than an auto

So I know about the after market world but its a little too spendy for me

Please let me know what your opinion is on the two trannys I have and maybee another option that you know of

PLease keep in mind its on a strict budget

Thanks to all

Well IMO the 5 speed that was behind the V-6 is going to be way to light duty to live long behind a 350, especially if you plan to pound on it a bit..... I would recomend a 5 or 6 speed out of a V-8 car, Vette or Camaro, or plunk down the $$$$$ for a TKO... Lot of work and expense for a tranny that will probably not live long.

As for the Saginaw........ Well, IMO they're junk. Fairly heavy duty but almost impossible to make it a smooth and quick shifting unit. Tried to make one work for a guy once, hopeless cause. He eventually found a Super T-10...

Thanks Dave for your 2 cents

anyone else want to throw in an opinion

Thanks LT

We build those light duty T5's all the time, there is a reason they were not put behind a 350 originally, they just will not take the power it puts out. The weight of the vehicle will also shorten the life of it. As for the Saginaw it is just not a smooth working transmission, as Dave stated above. The best and most efficent transmission for your needs would be the Tremec TKO, as Dave also stated it will be more expensive, but you will only have to buy it once, as apposed to the T5 needing to be rebuilt on a regular basis. That particular T5 was designed for around 220 ft lbs of torque, were the TKO600 will handle 600 ft lbs of torque.

thanks again for the input

Did tremec use any trannys in stock chevy applications that would work or was it strictly a ford tranny. I know that I can buy one for a chev but I was hoping to maybee find one in a donor car

I did some research one this but was unable to find a concrete answer as with this whole project

So again I look to you for advice Thanks in advance for you input

I don't believe the TKO 600's have ever been an OEM tranny...

The TKO's have never been in a production, now the T56 6spd has been put in a variety of production cars, from Camaros to Corvettes. The T5 is still used in the V6 Mustangs, but they do not use them in any Chevy production vehicles. As for a pull out T5 in a Chevy, you will have to find an 80-95 model Camaro or Firebird with a V6 or a 305, it more than likely will be a Borg Warner T5. You will just want to be careful with it in your truck, because if you ever get traction under hard acceleration you will break the T5.