Saginaw 4 speed question
 

I want to put a 4 speed in my 87 chev shortbox behind a 5.7L. I've located a gear box that is a close ratio but I dont know what that referrs to. I'm planning on abusing this transmission terribly so I figure it will be ok behind a 300-350 hp engine....no?

Any advice on buying and installing one of these would be great. I need to know what to look for in a belhousing, flywheel and clutch assy...

thanks in advance

close ratio
 

The transmissions have different internal parts, gears, that determine the speed for each gear at a fixed rpm. lighter cars, corvetts, use to have optional 2. 20 first gears and larger cars had (I thinK ) a 2.54 first gear, With a close ratio you would want a lower geared rear end, with a close ratio the RPM didn't change as much between shifts keeping the engine in the max power band. If you have a close ratio in a truck, with a higher geared rear end ( In the 2.xx's) you will have trouble hauling a heavy load with out burning the clutch . With 4.56 rear gears , a 2. 20 would have enough torque to pull. but you would be running higher RPM's at highway speeds.

If it is a saginaw the shifter arms are all on the side cover. If you're real good at tranny swappin' then put it in. Cause if you abuse a sag you'll be swappin' in another one shortly. THey don't take any abuse at all. A low performance tranny.
Spend the money, do it right, put a muncie or BW T10 in it.

I used a saginaw in my 69 C-10,Iwas running a fairly stock 350 in front of it. I got the transmission out of a Vega.It had the shifter bolted to the floor in the Vega,so I did the same in my truck. The trans will not take much abuse,but I pulled a camper with mine,and it was a big improvement over the "three on the tree" that the truck came with. In answer to your question,The saginaw would not be a good choice for you. By the way the trans ,shifter and console cost me $20.

ARGH - WHERE IS THE EDIT BUTTON??

I meant to say I'm NOT planning on abusing this transmission! OOps
Realistically, it will never likely even see 300 hp.

Thanks for your responses

As long as you don't put the loud pedal on the floor and sidestep the clutch pedal you should be fine.
After all the factory put a 4 speed o/d based on the mopar a833 in them.

Now a days with the gas prices being what they are and what they will probably be I'd be looking for a gear box with over drive. A nice 5 or 6 speed.
BB

I agree, but the trouble is that I dont have the coin. I need to finish this project on a shoestring. If you can recommend a 5 speed that isnt any weaker than the Sag, and wont kill my pocketbook...I'm all ears! Tell me its possible....

Think about using the MOPAR A-833 trans made for Chevy/GMC trucks. It's basically Chryslers HD 4-speed trans regeared so 4th is actually overdrive. Uses a Hurst shifter and all. You can beat on it like an Army Mule, but not on a Saginaw for very long; especially in a heavy truck. Butch/junior stocker.