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What Manual Transmission in 57 Wagon?

1911 Views 12 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  lonewolf85, 
M
I recently purchased a 57 210 wagon from a member here and i am looking for input on what transmission i should put in. Currently the car has what i assume to be the original 3 speed on the column. The car is powered by a mostly stock '69 327. i'd like to put in something that gives me a floor shifter, preferably 5 speed (or 6), is inexpensive to buy and maintain, and is easy to find parts for. I had heard that some model S10 transmission would fit but i am unsure what. Any advice is appreciated!
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Chevynut
It sorta depends on your budget. You're not going to get a 6-speed installed for under about $1500 even if you buy a used one, imo. Pretty much the same for any Tremec 5-speed. You can probably go with a T5 but they're not very strong, from what I've read here. I don't have any experience with them.

Welcome to TriFive!!
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belairdave
If all you want is a floor shifter you can get a floor shift kit for the 3 speed... Later, Dave
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carls 56
:hello: hi goat and welcome. good to have you here. can try www.summitracing.com for shifters and stuff.
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M
what are some common swaps for that engine and car?
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M
How about this? Does this kit include everything i need?

http://www.amazon.com/Hurst-5010002-Gear-Shift-Lever/dp/B000BWE1CU
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jlow1979
loose the 3 speed and go with a th400 and a lokar floor shifter
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R
If you want a 5 speed then I'd look into the T-5 from a V-8 firebird or camaro. If you can use a 4 speed then maybe a Saginaw would work for you. You should be able to find one in good shape for no more than 300-350.00. The only down side is that they won't take alot of power but a stock 327, unless it's above 350 hp, shouldn't hurt at all , that is if you don't beat on it alot.
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pistoncan
mrgoat said:
I recently purchased a 57 210 wagon from a member here and i am looking for input on what transmission i should put in. Currently the car has what i assume to be the original 3 speed on the column. The car is powered by a mostly stock '69 327. i'd like to put in something that gives me a floor shifter, preferably 5 speed (or 6), is inexpensive to buy and maintain, and is easy to find parts for. I had heard that some model S10 transmission would fit but i am unsure what. Any advice is appreciated!
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Goat, Welcome to TriFive.

You have as many options as you can imagine, but unfortunately, as in most things in life, You can usually get two out of three. Price, quality, simplicity.
Simpliest would be a hurst mystery or indy shifter on your stock saginaw, I have seen them as low as 35 dollars on ebay. Then you don;t mess with the clutch or move the tranny/driveshaft. All it takes is a hole in the floor.

The next step up would be a 4 spped and shifter. More work (and money) and you need a tail shaft brace.

A T5 have been covered here several times, as well as on HAMB. The early S10 t-5 has the right shifter location IMO, but the low is a creaper and the OD is something like .75. It also uses a 14 spline clutch plate so you are changing that too. The Later t-5s are beefed up and are a bolt in, but you will need bucket seats or you can bolt up a early tail shaft to the later tranny. again more work and money. The Tremic or T56 is the cadillac of conversion, and so is the price. All of the T-5's will probably involve a new drive shaft too.

So ITs up to you to decide how much you want to change and how much you can afford
Good luck with it.

Gary
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R
A Muncie, T-10, or Saginaw 4 speed is pretty much a bolt in for your car. All you need is the transmission, shifter, and the correct driveshaft yoke. If you want to keep the bench seat you'll need the special Hurst shifter with the C shaped stick to clear it.

The T-5 is not too hard either, and you'll have overdrive. But it is definitely not a heavy duty transmission, nowhere near the 4 speeds above.
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M
Thanks for the good info everyone. If i were to go with a floor mount Hurst Indy for my 3 speed, and later decide to swap to a 4 or 5 speed, would the hole in the tunnel for the shifter be the same or would i need to redo the tunnel?

I think for now i'll get a floor mount Hurst and see how that works out. Could someone point me to the kit i need, that is if i didn't list the right one a few replies up.
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pistoncan
mrgoat said:
How about this? Does this kit include everything i need?

http://www.amazon.com/Hurst-5010002-Gear-Shift-Lever/dp/B000BWE1CU
Click to expand...
Yes its a hurst indy shifter. Depending on what seat you have in it, you may have to modify the shift handle to clear the seat. I am tall and use the seat all the way back so Its not a problem for me.

You will probably have to have a different hole if you change to a 4 or 5 speed later but its not real difficult to weld up the present hole if you do.
Gary
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lonewolf85
A tri five factory tranny is a muncie!

The stock three speed in a tri five is not a saginaw. It is a non syncro low Muncie. It has four bolts on the side cover. you can install a later full syncro saginaw three speed It has 7 bolts on the side cover. You would need a different driveshaft yoke and be shure to get a saginaw with the small diameter front bearing cover. Or enlarge your bellhousing . Saginaw transmissions where not factory in any tri five. Randall
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