Transmission?????

[SIDKELLY1]

Put a 350 (325hp??) crate in my '57, 9" Ford 3.50 gears rear axle---still has a Saganaw 4 speeds that's about worn out------at 70mph, I'm turning 3200 rpm--gas mileage 'sucks'-----not into this 'hot rod' stuff like I was when I was a kid and I'm wondering if anyone has an opinion on what kind of trans I should go with---5 speed or 6 speed (can get a 6 speed Borg Warner for $1,000.00) What transmissions will fit easily, give good performance (I still love 'smoking my tires' and the thrill of a stick shift) and hopefully get the rpms down some????

[bartender]

a 5 speed out an 86 an up camaro will work nice at that price or less,easy enough bolt in. if your looking for somthing newer,and you can spend more, go to www.classicchevy5speed.com to look at the tremec trans kits. darren.

[SIDKELLY1]

Thanks--I think I'll try to round up an '86 Camaro or so trans--the others are nice but big $$$--mama's already screaming about how much I've got invested in 'christine'--business was real good until I bought her and been sinking ever since!!

[Ron Virta]

I have just installed a 9" (3.0 ratio) in my 57 and have a 427 ci. I also have the Saganaw 4 speed and it runs OK. I am running about 2700 rpms at 70 mph. If you think your gas mileage was bad, I replace a GM 4.56 with the 9". Now I only have to stop at a gas station about half as often. :) :) :)

[SIDKELLY1]

Bet that 'hoss' will fly!!

[Thadd]

Sid
I am running a Camaro T-5 5 speed in my 55. I used a McLeod Scattershield which let me mount the trans at the strange angle that chevy used, but you can bolt a T-5 in place of the Saginaw. The rear mount and the shifter will be at a 17º angle and will need some modifying.
88 and later V8 t-5's are what is called World Class and are stronger than the run of the mill T-5. V8 transmissions are identifiable by a 26 spline input shaft.
The V8 version has a 2.95 first gear and a .63 overdrive. The 4 and 6 cylinder versions have a 3.25 (!) first gear and are no where near as strong.
I paid less than $400 for mine and I have seen them as low as $150. I originally ran a 6 cylinder version that I paid $45 for.

[SIDKELLY1]

Thanks, Thad (and all)--ended up going with a 700R4 trans w/ Corvette servo, 2075 stall converter, Gill Younger shift kit, green band w/ Lokar shifter--was talking with folks about 'cruising' to Pigeon forge, etc and the thoughts of 4hr to drive thru 40 redlights, shifting all the time persuaded me to go w/ awfulmatic trans-----working out really well----dropped rpm down to reasonable limits (1800rpm at 65mph and only around 2800rpm at 85mph plus--gas mileage is around 15mpg and will burn the tires off 1st gear and even when shifting into 2nd--another good reason for the auto is that Mama can now be co-driver on long trips---------even installed fron and rear Aadco sway bars yesterday