LS swap transmission
April 4th, 2016, 11:33 AM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 110
LS swap transmission
Hey guys,
I am considering doing an LS swap on my 64 Cutlass. It currently has a TH350 in it that can't hold fluid. Is there a cheap manual transmission that would be worth using? The ones coming out of newer Camaros and Corvettes all seem to be $1500+. Are the gear ratios in a truck transmission unusable in a muscle car?
Thanks,
-Mike
I am considering doing an LS swap on my 64 Cutlass. It currently has a TH350 in it that can't hold fluid. Is there a cheap manual transmission that would be worth using? The ones coming out of newer Camaros and Corvettes all seem to be $1500+. Are the gear ratios in a truck transmission unusable in a muscle car?
Thanks,
-Mike
April 5th, 2016, 06:00 AM
#2
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Camdenton, MO
Posts: 342
You can run a Muncie or T10. They can be found for a few hundred and will require a $100 rebuild kit.
As for OD trans, the T5 is probably cheapest, but not very strong. And the easiest would be from a V8 3rd gen F body, but those are pretty old and most in bad shape.
The truck trans generally have a really deep 1st gear, some in the 4-6:1 range.
What's your current rear end ratio and what do you plan on doing with the car?
As for OD trans, the T5 is probably cheapest, but not very strong. And the easiest would be from a V8 3rd gen F body, but those are pretty old and most in bad shape.
The truck trans generally have a really deep 1st gear, some in the 4-6:1 range.
What's your current rear end ratio and what do you plan on doing with the car?
April 5th, 2016, 07:21 AM
#3
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 110
You can run a Muncie or T10. They can be found for a few hundred and will require a $100 rebuild kit.
As for OD trans, the T5 is probably cheapest, but not very strong. And the easiest would be from a V8 3rd gen F body, but those are pretty old and most in bad shape.
The truck trans generally have a really deep 1st gear, some in the 4-6:1 range.
What's your current rear end ratio and what do you plan on doing with the car?
As for OD trans, the T5 is probably cheapest, but not very strong. And the easiest would be from a V8 3rd gen F body, but those are pretty old and most in bad shape.
The truck trans generally have a really deep 1st gear, some in the 4-6:1 range.
What's your current rear end ratio and what do you plan on doing with the car?
April 5th, 2016, 07:49 AM
#4
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Camdenton, MO
Posts: 342
If you have a 3.08 or higher rear look for a wide ratio Muncie or super T10. They have around a 2.6 1st gear. Probably not worth the added expense of OD to save a few bucks on gas.
Also, most of these older cars require tunnel cutting for a T56.
Are you looking at an aluminum block or a 5.3/6.0 truck iron block?
Also, most of these older cars require tunnel cutting for a T56.
Are you looking at an aluminum block or a 5.3/6.0 truck iron block?
April 5th, 2016, 08:02 AM
#5
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 110
If you have a 3.08 or higher rear look for a wide ratio Muncie or super T10. They have around a 2.6 1st gear. Probably not worth the added expense of OD to save a few bucks on gas.
Also, most of these older cars require tunnel cutting for a T56.
Are you looking at an aluminum block or a 5.3/6.0 truck iron block?
Also, most of these older cars require tunnel cutting for a T56.
Are you looking at an aluminum block or a 5.3/6.0 truck iron block?
April 5th, 2016, 08:07 AM
#6
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Camdenton, MO
Posts: 342
I'm running an 05 5.3 in my 72. Nice combo for power and cost.
Try to get the harness, ecu, sensors, accessories...everything you can with it. Piecing together all the parts needed gets expensive.
Try to get the harness, ecu, sensors, accessories...everything you can with it. Piecing together all the parts needed gets expensive.
April 5th, 2016, 08:09 AM
#7
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 110
Is there a way to tell which gears I have besides taking the rear end apart?
April 5th, 2016, 08:11 AM
#8
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Camdenton, MO
Posts: 342
e rear tires off the ground, rotate the driveshaft till the wheels make 1 revolution.
You should be able to count the number of driveshaft turns. Just over 3 =3.08
There's also a code on the right front of the axle (I think). Google axle codes for ratio.
You should be able to count the number of driveshaft turns. Just over 3 =3.08
There's also a code on the right front of the axle (I think). Google axle codes for ratio.
April 5th, 2016, 08:18 AM
#9
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 110
Thanks, I'll check that out.
April 5th, 2016, 08:30 AM
#10
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Camdenton, MO
Posts: 342
Figure out your rear end ratio. Then pick a trans to fit.
3.08+ you can use a wide ratio Muncie/T10 (2.6 1st gear). Under that, you can use corvette super T10 (2.88 1st) or a Camaro T10 (3.42 1st).
And everything you need to know about hooking a Muncie/T10 to an LS motor:
http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversion...-ls-motor.html
3.08+ you can use a wide ratio Muncie/T10 (2.6 1st gear). Under that, you can use corvette super T10 (2.88 1st) or a Camaro T10 (3.42 1st).
And everything you need to know about hooking a Muncie/T10 to an LS motor:
http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversion...-ls-motor.html
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
