Why no M22 in 1970?
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,060
The reference as being too unrefined was probably bang on but the real curiosity was why did Oldsmobile use it at all and why in 1971 in particular. Chevrolet offered the M22 in both the Corvette and Camaro and likely a few more models. I’ve read there were many instances where cars came back to service for “my 4 speed is making a lot of noise and I think there’s something wrong” when it was just the normal sounds of the rock crusher. I’ve run one in my W31. 1st gear is music to the ears. But offering it in 1971 is really strange.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,060
Someone out there has some written policy or upper brass dialogue on the exclusion of the M22 in Oldsmobile’s 1970 lineup. When they offered the W27 the M22 would have been right there logically. You’d think Olds would have offered it in 1966 with the track ready W30 cars.
Old(s) Fart
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 50,803
From: Northern VA
Often, decisions like this are based on production capability more than anything else. Witness the fact that even Caprice wagons got the Olds 307 instead of the Chevy motor in the 1980s due to production availability.
It is entirely likely that Muncie simply could not supply enough M22s during the peak musclecar years. Naturally, cars with road racing intent (Corvettes and Camaros) would get priority. By 1971, with musclecar sales going in the toilet, production probably caught up with needs.
The reality is that Olds didn't need it. Given the massive torque curve of the typical Olds motor, and the limited peak RPM, why would you even want a close ratio trans - other than for a very specific racing setup where you carefully matched engine output, trans ratios, and rear axle. Such a setup would be optimized for one specific use (ie, a quarter mile) and would suck for everything else (like the street).
It is entirely likely that Muncie simply could not supply enough M22s during the peak musclecar years. Naturally, cars with road racing intent (Corvettes and Camaros) would get priority. By 1971, with musclecar sales going in the toilet, production probably caught up with needs.
The reality is that Olds didn't need it. Given the massive torque curve of the typical Olds motor, and the limited peak RPM, why would you even want a close ratio trans - other than for a very specific racing setup where you carefully matched engine output, trans ratios, and rear axle. Such a setup would be optimized for one specific use (ie, a quarter mile) and would suck for everything else (like the street).
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,193
From: Birmingham,Alabama
Often, decisions like this are based on production capability more than anything else. Witness the fact that even Caprice wagons got the Olds 307 instead of the Chevy motor in the 1980s due to production availability.
It is entirely likely that Muncie simply could not supply enough M22s during the peak musclecar years. Naturally, cars with road racing intent (Corvettes and Camaros) would get priority. By 1971, with musclecar sales going in the toilet, production probably caught up with needs.
The reality is that Olds didn't need it. Given the massive torque curve of the typical Olds motor, and the limited peak RPM, why would you even want a close ratio trans - other than for a very specific racing setup where you carefully matched engine output, trans ratios, and rear axle. Such a setup would be optimized for one specific use (ie, a quarter mile) and would suck for everything else (like the street).
It is entirely likely that Muncie simply could not supply enough M22s during the peak musclecar years. Naturally, cars with road racing intent (Corvettes and Camaros) would get priority. By 1971, with musclecar sales going in the toilet, production probably caught up with needs.
The reality is that Olds didn't need it. Given the massive torque curve of the typical Olds motor, and the limited peak RPM, why would you even want a close ratio trans - other than for a very specific racing setup where you carefully matched engine output, trans ratios, and rear axle. Such a setup would be optimized for one specific use (ie, a quarter mile) and would suck for everything else (like the street).
Barely Registered
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,629
From: Gillespie County, Republic of Texas
1971 was definitely an odd year. They also offered the dual disc clutch that year.
It was almost as if they were planning on building one of the overhead cammers and needed the torque capacity. When the cammer program was cancelled, they didn't cancel the rock crusher and dual disc.
It was almost as if they were planning on building one of the overhead cammers and needed the torque capacity. When the cammer program was cancelled, they didn't cancel the rock crusher and dual disc.
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