manual or auto

[more_power]

Which way should i go
auto or manual?
I know nothing about the tranies so what are the what are the pros and cons of each trans

[79 Z28]

first of all what car is it? and what are your intentions for the car, along with power and mods

[more_power]

well its an 86 trans am
that is an auto
but the floor boards need the be replaced and i got a manual donor car that is in perfect mecanical condition
but has no paper if in cutin and hacking why not do what is best for the car.
right now its just a 305 that is stock but i have lot of parts for a new motor just no sure what combo to use yet.

[79 Z28]

well if your going to a bigger motor, higher stall, rear gears, and plan on drag racing a decent bit then id say an auto like a th350, nice and strong, consistant, and perfect for drag racing. cons are that its got no OD so less gas milege. a man. will give you more performance for street driving cuz the gear ratios are closer together, and it will do just fine for minor mods. but once you start doing some serious mods and racing, then id reccoment man. but also the cost to convert, if you can do it for little money thats a plus too.

[more_power]

my dad used to race at langley speedway and all over.
He was big into SBC so i still have some performance stuff left. but my mainy i want't to know how strong is the man. trans and is there difrent ones that are better?

[johnny_rotten]

I know youll correct me if I'm wrong but before I bought my Stang I was also looking for a 305 Iroc with a 5 speed, but it seemed that just about every 305-5 speed I looked at had replaced trannys. Were the manual trannys not rated to handle the torque, or am I just a dumb fuck?

[IROC-Z]

I'm on my 6th tranny in my 87 305 TPI manual Iroc. Finally built a WC with some other aftermarket parts too (big dog kit I think it was called). This one's lasted me two years now. Don't really drive the car much any more though. Kinda lost interest and only put 2000 kms on it all summer.

[johnny_rotten]

So I guess they were a bit under rated for the torque output of the 305's. No wonder GM made all the torque monster 350's with autos.

[79 Z28]

yup, thats why id reccomend an auto if your going to mod it up decently

[IROCNParts]

ya realistically its wierd, all the t-5s seem to blow after a while, but the 700R4s are no better. I spent $3200 on my newest tranny so im hoping it stands up to what I throw at it. What I can say is if you go 700R4 make sure you get a case from a 91-92. They flow more fluid to the planetary gears and also have better internal case engineering. What amazes me is how much more power mustang t-5s support as apposed to F-Bodys. Maybe GM just made too much torque?

If you are planning on going t-5 you wont need to hack anything. Change the pedals, slave cylinder, console bezel, flywheel, and all other tranny related components and you're ready to go. Its actually a simple, time consuming swap.

If you are planning running 11s or faster I would stay auto :)

[iroc22]

I've never had to replace any T5's ever and that's all I have owned so far. I think if you took your foot off the gas when you shift gears the tranny must last longer... :) Of course I have always had WC T5's.

[Drakar]

A benefit to switching to a T-5 now, is that you are ready to go for a T-56 ;D 8)

Stock T-56's are rated at 450 lbs.ft

Oh and for some reference T-5 NON-WC are rated at something dumb like 250-260 lbs.ft and WC are rated at ~300 ::) some say 330.

[79 Z28]

but we all know a stock T56 can handle alot more then 450 lbft, those trannies can take 10's if done right ;D

[IROC-Z]

T56 good...........

Thats all I'll say for now.

[more_power]

does a T56 require more mods to but in and where can i find one?

[79 Z28]

93+ camaro/firebird corvette, new mustang cobras, umm vipers too ;D

[more_power]

I just got the the final word on the manual car.
I got it for free, so I just have to pick it up. Which is no problem for me. I'm going to pick it up next weekend.
I have no idea what it is other than its a Camaro and its a 5 speed.

[Drakar]

Well you need it to be a V8 cause the bell housings are diff between V8 and V6 cars, IIRC.

Also you can put a T-56 against a stock ... lets say my engine LG4 with is whopping 155hp and 245 lbs of torque, yes that's right FEAR ME ;D ;D

ok enough of that, the nice thing about a T-56 is the over drives 6th gear in the 94-97 models is .5 so with 4.10's in the rear you're only 2.05 final drive, still very nice for mileage.

The 93 F-body T-56 has slighty different gearing with less torque capacity.

I wouldn't try a Mustang or Viper T-56 as the bellhousings are very diff from a Chev.

Also I believe there are diffs with the Vette tranny as well and don't even bother with an LS1 6speed.

[Chris_88_Camaro]

im making close to 300 footlbs of torque and its throu a T5, im having a few lil issues with the syncros in 5th but i belive thats due to other reasons. it was rebuilt 2 years ago, and so far so good.
but for something with large toqrue values or a steep torque curve id be looking to a T56, or mabe a richmond depending on how deep ur pockets are. but if u plan to run strip and u wana be consistant id go with a auto, u can build a TH350 to take lots of torque and HP, I ran 383 thru a th350 that runs mid 11's and it held up quite well. but its all dependant on what u intend to do with the car street or strip....

[IROCNParts]

if you put a t-56 into a 3rd gen you're going to need to put a different crossmember in.. you can get one made or buy one from Skulke design.
also you can expect to spend over $2000 for the tranny

[iroc22]

Theres a company in the interior that rebuilds T56's. Im tryin to remember the name...

[IROC-Z]

very hard to get your hands on a T56 out of a 4th gen, I guess you have to know an auto wrecker or something. uh uuuuhhhm, Mike.

[79 Z28]

aahhh ummmm, me lol ill let you guys know if i ever get one, that is if mike dont steal it from me first from icbc >:( ;D

[IROC-Z]

or me. ;D

[Sidwaz]

with my car auto is the only logical choice. I know my drop top stang I went through something stupid like 8 t5's in 3 years. Never could remember to take my foot off the gas between shifts. Now I don't have to worry about it, my tranny should hold anything I can throw at it.

[79 Z28]

with my car auto is the only logical choice. I know my drop top stang I went through something stupid like 8 t5's in 3 years. Never could remember to take my foot off the gas between shifts. Now I don't have to worry about it, my tranny should hold anything I can throw at it.


why, is it a TH400?? ??? lol ;D

[more_power]

well with all this talk about a T56 beenb a good tranny what about older 4 speeds and such. IS there other manual tranny other than the T56 that is some what good?

[IROC-Z]

Muncie M21 or M22 is a good tranny, but no overdrive. :-[

[iroc22]

Wow M22's are hard to find.

[BPS]

manual!

[79 Z28]

Muncie M21 or M22 is a good tranny, but no overdrive. :-[


M22 "rock crusher" 4 speed 1:1 final saweeet :P

[more_power]

what about a super T 10 if that is right?

[IROC-Z]

not a bad tranny, but not a great tranny either.

[Sularma]

if you put a t-56 into a 3rd gen you're going to need to put a different crossmember in.. you can get one made or buy one from Skulke design.
also you can expect to spend over $2000 for the tranny



If your putting the T56 into a car that had the T5 you don't need to change the cross member or the drive shaft if I remember correctly. You do have to change the speedo though. It's been a while sence I checked into it so I might have it wrong. I haven't had a manual in 3 years.

[IROC-Z]

if you put a t-56 into a 3rd gen you're going to need to put a different crossmember in.. you can get one made or buy one from Skulke design.
also you can expect to spend over $2000 for the tranny



If your putting the T56 into a car that had the T5 you don't need to change the cross member or the drive shaft if I remember correctly. You do have to change the speedo though. It's been a while sence I checked into it so I might have it wrong. I haven't had a manual in 3 years.


you can buy a T56 with a cable speedo connection or get yours addapted.

[Jewelz]

this is seems so backwards, I want to put (not any time soon) an ls1 in there AND convert the car to stick...

shoulda just bought it that way or get another one...bah

- Jewelz

[iroc22]

Why not just get a 4+3 wow seven gears ::)

[79 Z28]

Why not just get a 4+3 wow seven gears ::)


why do people think that anyways? grrrrr

[Drakar]

you WILL need a new crossmember or modify your existing one, I would recommend a new one, plus if you go to http://www.spohn.net/category.cfm?categoryid=1056 you can get a package that includes a new torque arm as well. Looks like a very slick setup.


4+3 ....... :P :-[

[66chevyIISS]

I know youll correct me if I'm wrong but before I bought my Stang I was also looking for a 305 Iroc with a 5 speed, but it seemed that just about every 305-5 speed I looked at had replaced trannys. Were the manual trannys not rated to handle the torque, or am I just a dumb fuck?


well considering you bought a Mustang I will go with your a dumbfuck ;D

[ryan01]

hey i was just wondering??? does any body know what comes stock in a 2.8L for the tranny its an auto i just need to know becasue if it is compatable i will be putting in a 283 corvette engine could u please help me out thanks ryan

[IROCNParts]

hey i was just wondering??? does any body know what comes stock in a 2.8L for the tranny its an auto i just need to know becasue if it is compatable i will be putting in a 283 corvette engine could u please help me out thanks ryan


its a 700R4 but its not going to support the power of the v8
also I believe the input shafts are different
clutch packs are smaller etc etc
basically its junk? lol

[ryan01]

so what would u sudjest doin sell the car??? or is there any way i can get some freakin power from a 2.8L???

[IROCNParts]

so what would u sudjest doin sell the car??? or is there any way i can get some freakin power from a 2.8L???


honestly man, IROCs are cheap these days, you can find a camaro or TA with a 350 for $4000 or less!!! why not sell urs for $2000-3000 and buy one with a v8? will save lots of headaches I think.. either way,

[iroc22]

its a 700R4 but its not going to support the power of the v8
also I believe the input shafts are different
clutch packs are smaller etc etc
basically its junk? lol


Not to mention the V6 bellhousing wont bolt to the V8. ;)

[ryan01]

thanks i will consider it and do u think i can get 2000-3000 for my car its and 83 camaro with t-topd brand new bf goodrinch radials and super clean iroc mags! nterior is mint and body has no rust!!! no dents or dings!

[IROCNParts]

thanks i will consider it and do u think i can get 2000-3000 for my car its and 83 camaro with t-topd brand new bf goodrinch radials and super clean iroc mags! nterior is mint and body has no rust!!! no dents or dings!


its just a matter of finding the right buyer/

[more_power]

I never thoght this post would go so far but im going auto because I sold the manual trans. It was a munci with a bunch of hurst stuf. I got an offer on it before I got it home and I took it. But I might be able to get my hands on another 700R4 for free so its all good. So far I've made money on my Trans Am and almost got all of the parts, just need to get the stupid thing running.

[CeeDubYa]

Why not just get a 4+3 wow seven gears ::)


why do people think that anyways? grrrrr
I've always wondered what the hell those 4+3 tranny's were all about, would someone be kind enough to explain it?

[79 Z28]

"We have been rebuilding Corvette 4 +3 Overdrives since 1984. This transmission incorporates a Super T10 4 speed with an automatic overdrive. The overdrive can come on in second, third, and fourth gears.... thus 4 + 3! It is only used in Corvettes made in 1984 to 1988 and is not recommended to be swapped into street rod applications.

The 4+3 Overdrive was plagued with many design problems in 1984 to late 1985 cars. The main problems were an underdesigned bearing in the carrier assembly, a direct clutch thrust washer breakage problem, and a pump sealing problem. The carrier bearing failed because of poor bearing design, bad preload, and poor lube to the bearing. This was resolved with GM part number 14105940. It incorporated a heavy duty bearing, and feed oil to the bearing. It was up to the technician to preload it correctly. When a carrier goes bad you will hear bearing noise in direct drive and it will go away in overdrive. Sometimes it can sound like a tire whirring noise. The Direct Clutch thrust washer would break because it could spin in the case. Once broken it would jam in between the overdrive piston and case. This would cause the overdrive to get stuck in two modes and burn up. The new piston GM# 14091496 resolves this problem by putting anti-spin tangs on it. It was redesigned by us for GM again in 1997 to utilize better heat treating capabilites. The pump assembly on 1984 and early 1985 cars used a rear pump cover with no seal between the output shaft and cover. The new cover uses a teflon sealing ring to prevent pressure loss and pump whine. The GM number for the new spool is 14091349."

thats the most information i could find about it ;D