Ok guys need some idears...... iv got a Ly5 5.3 im building for my 68 chevelle. will be a solid 450hp, i have a built 4l60, but im just not excited about having to run a standalone module TCM, So id like to collect info on running a manual trans, which direction should i run? I need at least a 4spd, 5 would be sweet, 6 is too damn $$$. Lets hear it gents.

Carbed 5.3 LY5
243's
Edelbrock Dual plane
Cam by Ryne Cunningham

Thanks Guys

 

for cheap a 4 speed is probably the most economical option. A regular t5 can bolt up to the 5.3 but you'll be pushing the internals and it wont last long. a beefed up t5 will put you not too far away from the price of a tko or t56. Sooo with that said if you want to just put around ALL the time and dont care about swapping trans all the time then you could go t5 but if not just save for t56. A stock t56 can be had for 12-1500 and will mount right up to the 5.3


EDIT: Just saw you said 450. throw the t5 idea out completely, those trans are rated for 300 on a good day in great shape. Foor what you want to do you need a tko or t56. a tr3650 from a ford might handle the pwoer but there are no adapters to make it work that i know of

 

^^^^ True, but traction and driving style have A LOT to do with how long a tranny lasts. I'm kinda feeling the t5. If you're running 225 run of the mill BF goodrich street tires its hard to break S. Especially if you don't shift and drive like a lunatic. I've never hurt a transmission before. My 2 cents.

 

you could find a manual tranny, maybe junkyard, that was in a truck with that motor

could harvest bellhousing, clutch hydraulics and pedals

maybe check Kessler site for 411 on adapting a TKO 5 speed or T56

 

If your building a muscle car with a manual then I'd bet my bottom dollar your going to beat on it. T5s suck for any amount of decent hp traction or not. Spinning all the time isn't fun and the first few times it hooks that trans is puking it's guys all over the place. Stock 5.0 fords broke them regularly lol and everyone knows what power houses those were lol
Well the nv3500 that's comes in trucks is completely different than anything offered by the aftermarket. Nothing would swap over from the trans. And it's too huge of a trans to actually fit in the Chevelle. For pedals and what not there's plenty of adapter kits to make the stock pedals work with modern hydraulics which I would get new anyway since used hydraulics can pose a lot of problems

 

yeah Red...if the nv3500 was the truck tranny behind the OP's motor, that is one big fing tranny

I put a carbed LT1 & T56 in my 70 Nova.

My other car weighs 4200+ and makes about 450 FWHP with a LT1/T56 and it has held up well for 100+ passes running a tire. I would not cal a T56 a "weak" tranny but like all they have their limits.

The 6060 aka Magnum T56 will put up with more power

 

oh ya absolutely, and i dont know of any other tranny that came in gas trucks other than the oddball t56 that came in the ssr. The diesels got the allison manual iirc

And ya the t56 is by no means weak but they all have ther limits but what the op wants i think a stock t56 is fine. a 68 chevelle isnt all that heavy and 450 is plenty manageable for the t56. not to mention he can find one used for under 2k or pay about that for a slightly used built one vs 4k for a new magnum

 

side question to the op but what are you going to be using to control the motor? if you're still using the pcm from the truck to control the engine then it can easily work the trans

 

Is cutting the tunnel an option, if not rule out a T56 and TKO derivative.
I'm running an old school T10 behind my 5.3 in a 72 Olds, really happy with it.

 

I did not see what gear you are running but I would not rule out a muncie by Auto gear from Syracuse . These things will withstand what you got . And it will shift at any rpm . Ask me how I know. I have one that is a m22 with the super case componets and the Italian gears . It is a 4 speed . No over drive. I have a 600fwhp ls2 carbed with M&h tires .

It being a 68 Chevelle it would not take much to convert . Just bolt in parts. These cars came with these trans . No cutting unless it was a auto car . Just need to make the opening fit the shifter. Mine is in a 67 camaro

 

I have a WC built....tranny was like 4 or 500 and another few hundred for the rebuild and necessary components....I havent taken my car to the track yet....and hooked with slicks....but on the street i drop it at about 4000rpm from time to time and bang gears.....shifts smooth feels strong and havent had any issues....I have a 355sbc (440hp) and 3.73 gears out back......tuning the engine in a few weeks its running rich....its got a lil more grunt in it....and pulls hard all the way to about 6200rpm....the fifth gear on the highway is money and usally fourth is suffice around town.

 

A TKO will fit fine, T56 not so much.

 

TKO won't fit without tunnel modifications, if you want to maintain proper driveline angles.

Andrew