Thread: Transmission Choices!

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I have a question for the more experienced people on this forum. I have a '67 Camaro with a 12 bolt posi rear (Eaton) with 3.73 gears. I could change the gears though if needed. Currently I have a 350 in the car but I might move up to the 454/427 big block. I might even put some forced induction on it in the form of either turbo or centrifugal so I NEED strength as well. The question is this: I would like to buy a transmission thats better than what I have and I have been looking at some aftermarket ones because the 4 speed scene is just getting old and I don't necessarily like running 3100 rpm at 70 mph, nor does the 350 currently have gobs of low end torque, so a steeper set of lower gears (tranny) would be in order. Muncies and T-10s aren't gonna be options really either because of the limited abilities of the 4 speed. Has anyone here had any experience with T56, Richmond 6 speeds or Tremec 5 speed transmissions or have any suggestions as to other types I should take a look at, or which to use, ease of installation, etc. A T-5 I find is too weak and the 5th gear ratio is .63 and with lower gears in the rear (such as 3.07/8) it is brutal to try and cruise with and/or pick up speed, climb hills without shifting. I also don't plan on drag racing the car except for the occasional street race or highway race, and would like to drive in city conditions as well as cruise often, with some track days thrown in there. So, there. Now that I am done my spiel I was hoping to get some help on the subject. Basically, whats the best tranny in anyones mind that they have seen or used that worked great on a similar application that held up well. Thanks in advance for any help.

Hmm, sounds like a job for a t-400 tranny to me. It will take a hell of a lot, and its cheap.

If you want tough, get a Turbo 400. If you want manual, you can buy used Jerico and Tremec 4 speeds left over from NASCAR for $1300 ish.

Welcome here 1stGen;

I guess you will have lots of time to wrench seeing as your Oilers are out of it. Hehehe, sorry, I just had make sure you feel welcomed.

Anyways, you obviously are leaning towards a standard transmission. Furthermore, it would seem like you want an O/D. You might want to consider the T-56 however with the two piece rear seal crank that you have, you need to get a special flywheel. My son and I did this conversion and the flywheel alone cost us $700.00 if my memory serves me correctly. We did the conversion in an 84 T/A and we knew that the T-5 could not handle the power we were transplanting into it. The gear ratios are wonderfully spaced. The double O/D would force you to keep the motor on the mild side seeing as you turn 1800 rpm at highways speeds with 3.73 rear end gears.

Your other option would be to change to a one piece rear seal block and crank. I think you can buy those trannies used for $1,000.00 these days. When we did the upgrade 8 years ago, we paid $2400 for the tranny and clutch and pressure plate.

I have heard in many other cases that the T56 is a good choice for a manual. The TH-400 is a great auto tranny (and pretty damn cheap), but in my case I like to swap those gears myself. And the auto is only a 3 speed, despite being a great performer all around, speed, strength and longetivity. IF I just had to have that 4th gear in an auto I could up it to a 4L60E or 80 for the added strength. But, yes I am leaning towards the manual tranny. And I would like to have at least one overdrive gear, so the 4 speed, although being great for racing and street driving, isn't the greatest option for me since I need some mileage on the highway as well. And as for the double O/D on the T56, if it was such a problem I could just keep it in 5th gear while I have the 350. When I (IF I DO) upgrade to a big block then 6th will become more feasible for low rpm cruising. But by the sounds of that flywheel's cost....Thanks for the help on that, I will check out those jericos even if I dont plan on using a 4 speed in this car....who says I don't have another car stashed away? And about the Oilers! Even if they had beaten Vancouver on Saturday they wouldn't have made it because of Nashville winning, but they tried, hehe.

Get the old Doug Nash style 5 speed, now owned by Richmond. You can put in whatever gear ratios you want, and they are a good tough unit.

Anyone else know of any transmissions or install kits that I havent heard of yet? I'll take a look at those Doug Nash ones since picking my ratios would be perfect, do they sell them directly from Richmond? Anyone have any experience with the other Richmonds or Tremecs??? Whatever direction I go, the tranny has to be strong. Strong like possible blown/stroked 454.