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Std VS Auto for mud bogging

C

cjjones

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I would like to open the gremlin of auto trans vs manual for mud bogging.

What is better and why?
Will the clutch slip too much when wet and muddy or will it clean itself off??
 
Lots of opinons on this one.

Auto for mud drags/racing. Of the line fast, wheel speed stays up, fast acurate shifts.

Stick for simplicity, gear selection, more durable.

I run the mud with my K5, and I run a Sm465. It had a 700r4, then a Th350...then the stick. My 77 K20 had an auto, swapped it for a stick. I prefer the manual.

The clutch won't like the mud/dirt getting in there. Thats what the dust sheild is for. If it gets dirty, it will start to slip. I've never really had an issue with this.
 
Thats what my concern is, if it is thicker mud, should not be an issue, muddy water will get in but will the clutch slip lots or just till it cleans the mud out of it.
I have never had a std in lots of mud, so I am confused myself weather to change my newly aquired sm465 to a turbo 400.
 
A stick is the best way to go. I run a stick and for great wheel speed I go 3rd gear in 4lo. The rpms stay up and I get pletty of power to the ground. With autos you get the transmission constantly trying to shift it so the engine cant keep the rpms up, the engine bogs down and then you get stuck. When you come up to an obsticle pick the gear you want to be in and then you stay in that gear until you make it to the other side.
As far as dirt and mud getting into the clutch, make sure you run a dust shield and the clutch fork boot. I kept going through throw out bearings until I smartened up and put the neccessary covers on. Other than that I recomend that if you have a powerful engine to upgrade the clutch over factory components.
 
I have a 400 SBC, the truck has 4:10 gears, and I am only going to put maybe 33" boggers on it if they fit with no lift.
 
Are you talking about actually racing or just playing?
 
a manual will never be as fast as an automatic... that said, they are about 10 x's more durable usually..

keep in mind, auto's don't have to be driven auto...
 
I'd suggest an auto with a manual v/b and a healthy stall converter.

With the resistance of truely deep mud you'll never be able to shift AND maintain any momentum. A stall converter will help keep the motor up in rpm to prevent lugging.

TARussell and I used to run local bogs here with a manual v/b th400 and loose 3800 stall, the combo worked very well for us.
 
:D

my Chevelle's T400 had a 3500 :saweet:

I'm totally stoked on going to a manual vb.... haven't driven one in 20 yrs...
 
I mud my truck in the local mud bogs and believe auto is the fastest but manual is definitely more durable also if you do happen to get stuck in the middle and you want to back and forth rock your rig the manual will take a lot more of that type of abuse the auto will heat up quickly and heat is the arch enemy of the auto. If I had my choice id be runnin the sm 465 as I have a TH350 now and want the durability.
 
I am looking for the best way to go, here is what I am in going over in my own head.
I have a T350 trans now with 203 case but want the 205, but to connect the two means changing shafts and finding the correct pieces etc.
I have a t400 with 205 sitting in the garage that needs to be rebuilt, so I could build it however.
The SM465 that is currently in the truck with no engine would mean I would have to buy a new clutch and fly wheel to use behind my 400 as well.
So I want to do this right the first time for best money.
I appreciate everyone's input, but boy I am still confused which way to go.
 
As far as examples check out this video:

My friend in the blue long bed has a bigger motor but with a th400 that is as far as he could make it up.
I have a 305 and a 465 and look how I did:

 
Last edited by a moderator:
ya answered your own question...

fresh 400 with a manual vb, decent stall and cooler... pretty bulletproof matched with the all gear case..
 
BIGCHEVYTRUCKDRIVER said:
I mud my truck in the local mud bogs and believe auto is the fastest but manual is definitely more durable also if you do happen to get stuck in the middle and you want to back and forth rock your rig the manual will take a lot more of that type of abuse the auto will heat up quickly and heat is the arch enemy of the auto. If I had my choice id be runnin the sm 465 as I have a TH350 now and want the durability.
Click to expand...

Interesting, at all the tracks here in the south once forward momentum stops you're done.
 
I like autos but have a sm465 thats doing ok. I think they are poor for most kinds of racing
 
I can't understand why anyone would want the automatic if they already have an SM465, but that's just me.

Martin
 
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