[gtopercy]

Looking for a 5 or 6 speed (prefer 5 speed) trans with over drive to install in my 78 Trans am. About 400 horsepower so not looking for anything built for racing, just nice cruiser ta that needs a over drive gear. Running 400 Pontiac engine with 3.42 rear gears.
What's available out there that you used ?
thanks !

[Don 79 TA]

i use a TKO 3550 that i bought in 98 from Fortes
but you have options now
TKO500/600
Richmond
and Mcleod
to name a few
plus you can get complete kits as well
usually they will require a little tunneling work (BFH)

[gtopercy]

thanks.
What I found so far is, American Powertrain has complete kits with TK0600 for around $3500. Also conversion kits for the T5 trans (me supplying the T5 trans) for about $1500.

[Don 79 TA]

you can do some searches on AP
i'd use caution with them
had to fight with them about the x-member
and seems like i haven't been the only one

[Formula8]

T5 was marginal behind a 305 which is why they were never used in anything with more than 5 liters from the factory. I had a 305 "HO" in a Z28 and it tore up a T5 with all of 190HP.

[Keith Seymore]

Slightly off base from what you are asking, but some Chevy pickups came with a Mopar New Process A833 4 speed transmission, with 3rd gear 1:1 and 4th gear set as .73:1 overdrive, and a factory Hurst shifter.

They are not heavy duty but do use ATF (making them smooth shifting) and could be had cheaply if you can find one.

This one has 217,000 miles on it (including pulling a trailer) with no issues.

K

[Teej]

How would that A833 transmission adapt to the pontiac? That seems like a great idea

[67gtospud]

Has anybody considered swapping a newer manual trans into our older cars? Like a dodge nv5600 or others?

[tom s]

Might check with Hurst Driveline.Have dealt with them a few times with good results.Tom

[1971WARBIRD]

you would have to change rear gears to get benefit, but they put 3.42 1st gear ST-10s in 81 TAs with 301, 305's. add a 2.73 rear, plenty of complete 4 wheel disc out there.
some were steel case and some were aluminum.
multiple your 1st gear by the rear gear to see what you want to end up with. the standard late 4 speed was around 2.64 1st gear, so multiplied by your 3.42 rear, the 3.42 1st gear would take off like your car does now, but have the 2.73 cruise you are looking for.

[Will]

Wish there was more info out there about the Richmond Super Street 5 speed. I like the .77 OD ratio better than either of the available ratios for the TKO but haven't been able to dig up any solid info on how they shift/feel and how well they fit in a 2nd gen 'bird.

[MD79TA]

Find a t56 6 speed out of a 1998 to 2002 Trans am or Camaro will bolt right in with little work. I got one cheap , they are out there. Stay with those four years and you will have a easy install shifter in normal position only change is six gears vs four and an extra 10 to 15 mpg on highway American powere may have an install kit . Plenty strong Doug

[PDC]

I have a TKO 600 with the .82 OD in my 3.23 geared car and love it. Overall multiplication in 1st is 9.27 which is gods plenty in a big displacement, long stroke application. OD is 2.64 which is relaxed without 'lugging' or feeling the need to grab a deeper gear to pass on the freeway.
I originally had this trans with the factory 3.42 ring gear. 1st felt too deep - as in feathering the throttle way you much to control wheel spin, and OD was still a bit 'excited' on the freeway. IMO the .82 TKO 600 was tailor-made for a 3.23 ring gear, which is prevalent among the later 70s F-bodies.
P.S. - had a .64 main shaft originally and it dropped RPMs SO much that the car felt 'doggy' at speeds below 80 and if you did downshift at highway speeds from 5th (.64) to 4th (1:1) the 'jump' in RPMs was downright excessive. So I had the box rebuilt and blueprinted with the .82 main shaft and later swapped the 3.23 ring gear for the 3.42. TONS of real world R&D went into my arrival at the .82/3.23 combo. I love it. If you have a 79 WS6 car with a 3.23 rear (posi, disc brakes) you will never regret the TKO600 with the .82 OD.

[MD79TA]

I really think it comes down as what your budget is. If you go new your going to be into it over 3000 5 or 6 speed plenty of option . If you keep and eye out on Craig's list you will find a t56 that is in good condition to excellent condition And buy all the part you need for half of that . T56 are just plenty strong and are becoming more available . Just by 1/2 cent worth.

[Big Bear]

As Keith mentioned the truck used the Mopar a833. It used two different bolt patterns, the Mopar which requires a special bellhousing that was made for Chev, and anouther that had the same as the Muncie and was also the same length.