As you may be aware, I'm in the process of a restoration. I'm preparing to remove the drivetrain.

I currently have the original powerglide. As this car has been sitting for 22 years, and I'm unsure of how it ran, I would not utilize this tranny without a rebuild.

So, if I have this expense, I'm thinking to spend the money on an overdrive upgrade.

What's your thoughts?

Thanks

 

What are your ultimate plans for the car? What engine/h.p.? Driving it around town once in a while, or highway driving too? Are you after better stoplight to stoplight performance with a lower rear gear ratio? If so, you'll be happier with an overdrive. I have 4.10's in the rear with a T350 and I really want to swap in an overdrive trans to keep the engine from screaming down the highway. I'm up in the air between going with a 700R4, or a TKO 600 5 speed (car was originally a stick). I think I'm leaning a little heavier towards the manual, I like rowing gears. For you, that's a personal preference, but if you want to stay automatic, consider a built 700R4 then.

 

At this point, we're working towards a good driver. With that being said, I will be refreshing the 350 that I currently have, with a possible EFI system, for dependability.

Of course, we may be painting it orange, white stripes, white top. Which will grab attention at the stop lights. I'm sure I'll have the urge to proudly show what this car is all about! something like this..(its a google photo)

After discussions with my wife, we may consider switching to manual. I have the opportunity now to do the transition. The pedals are accessible, I have a budget for the tranny, options are there. With a full restoration, I would want to complete a fairly easy transition thought, and am considering the stock 4 speed setup. Would you have any thoughts on that?

 

I'd go with a stock 4 speed if you were trying to go with an original restoration. Since yours would be a changeover, that's not such a big concern. The old 4 speeds are clunkier to shift than the TKO would be, and a good Muncie isn't all that cheap either. For better drive-ability, I'd still opt for the 5 speed, but that's me. Check out summitracing.com, they sell the TKO conversion kit. See how that compares to what you'd spend putting an old 4 speed together. Also keep in mind, if you buy an old Muncie "as is" there's no guarantee you won't be needing to dump money into it.

 

I have realized that original T56 tranny's are plentiful in my area. If I were to purchase one locally, what else would be needed to install one of these in my car?

 

bellhousing
pedals
frame side bracket for the z bar
a kit from summit for installing it in a 1st gen as it was ever an option
when switching from powerglide to manual or 350 turbo you need different crossmember and drive shaft
flywheel instead of flexplate
clutch kit 10.5 or 11 inch


alot of it depends on your rear gears and what you want to do with the car!!
if you just wanna cruise around and not go on long hauls a muncie 4 speed would be a way easier swap than the t56
if your car has 3:73 or larger 4:11 etc.. gears a t56 would make driving it easier with lower rpms
if you have say 3:31 or lower 3:08 etc.. a muncie 4 speed would be fine
if you descide to go the muncie route let me know i have several parts needed for the change like 10.5 GM 403 bellhousings,hurst 4 speed shifter with correct handle for 68 with or without console, factory GM 4 speed console, etc.....

 

P.S. real muscle cars have 3 pedals LOL

4 speed fun with open headers