I have a 78 c35 with a 454, I am going to try and get it upwards of 400 hp. I have the 3 speed with the granny gear trans, will this trans work for fast shifting and high speeds well. What is there that i can do to it? What options do i have? It just seems more like a work horse than a sport horse. Let me know, post 'em up.
CK5
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Transmisson Question
- Thread starter TC4x4
- Start date
Assuming that has a 465, which it probably does, nothing about that tranny is fast or or "high speed". It has a 1:1 4th gear with doesnt help with freeway cruising and between the large and odd gear splits and super long throw shifting you will not be fast. But its a truck, and that tranny is the pinnacle of strength. I think some people were doing something to them to help with the long throw, but even at that I still doubt it helps much.
zombie1969
1/2 ton status
Turbo 400.
th400 are great autos, if you want a little more from them I like to run full manual valve bodies with them. It increases line pressure and makes it more versatile. The downside are the shifts are very FIRM (hard on components, u-joints, etc.) and for a daily driven truck is probably not the best choice. Just get a shift kit for the daily rigs.
The other option is an nv4500, those dont seem to be as bad as far as throw length and certainly have better ratios between the gears. Youll have od for better freeway driving and as for truck manual transmissions isnt AS bad banging through gears.
Once again though, if you want to make it a drag truck you can. Still wont be as fast as your typical more aerodynamic car but it can be done. If you want a truck that is "fast" stop light to stop light and can still wheel, do a 400. Even that is a strectch though, physics just takes over, 4 wheel drive, heavy truck = not fast. Otherwise be happy you have one of the most durable transmissions available and just run it. Id spend my money elsewhere, better suspension, tires, TRACTION DEVICES, etc.
The other option is an nv4500, those dont seem to be as bad as far as throw length and certainly have better ratios between the gears. Youll have od for better freeway driving and as for truck manual transmissions isnt AS bad banging through gears.
Once again though, if you want to make it a drag truck you can. Still wont be as fast as your typical more aerodynamic car but it can be done. If you want a truck that is "fast" stop light to stop light and can still wheel, do a 400. Even that is a strectch though, physics just takes over, 4 wheel drive, heavy truck = not fast. Otherwise be happy you have one of the most durable transmissions available and just run it. Id spend my money elsewhere, better suspension, tires, TRACTION DEVICES, etc.
Corey 78K5
1 ton status
Sell it and buy a pony car.
Dude, it's a 1 ton truck! What do you expect?
4x4shortbed
1/2 ton status
Auto....maybe a bit of a higher stall converter? I have the 465 in my K5 and love it, even around town but no speed shiftin' with that one lol. There is always the "unicorn" alluminum topped short throw 465 they suposedly made in the last few years of 465 production, but I've never seen one lol.
My buddy has a "magic" 465 he swapped into his Jeep...we have no idea why but that thing shifts like a dream...
-John
My buddy has a "magic" 465 he swapped into his Jeep...we have no idea why but that thing shifts like a dream...
-John
chulisohombre
1/2 ton status
nv 4500 would be your best bet.you get a usable 1st gear and overdrive when you get it up to speed.the 465 has a foot of throw between gears,at least on mine.but its 40 years old and still runnin good.ive never seen the aluminum one but have heard it has half the throw of the regular 465.if i try to shift too fast in mine third gear sticks because its not really made for fast gear changes.they were made to be strong.if i had the money and a need to have bettergearing the 4500 would be your best bet other than a th400 if you wanted to switch to auto.the shift rails in a 465 are just so far apart because it is a truck tranny made to do work,not go fast.lol.
Advance Adapters made an adapter (or used too anyway) that lets you bolt in a Muncie 4 speed out of a Corvette,or other GM "muscle car" from the 60's and 70's,into a GM transfer case.....while they might not equal the SM465 in strength,the rock crusher M-22's would probably hold up quite well,and you can shift those lightning fast--they have better gear spacing too,no winding it out in second and a huge jump to third with a boooooggg like the SM465..
