what are the 4 or 5 speed manual options for a 1972 skylark 455 i would prefer a good reliable 5 speed that isnt to expensive as i want to use it as a daily driver and it wont be pushing much more power that stock. any help is appreciated:TU:
Expensive is relative. I've got about 40,000 miles on a TKO-600 behind a 455. 4th grumbles now a little if I don't use the clutch to shift but otherwise works great. Watch e-bay for a GM one (not a Ford one!), you may save two or three hundred dollars, and/or it may come with some stuff like a yoke and trans mount. Third gear takes quite a bit to get used to and really prefers the clutch being used rather than just barely backing off WOT =P There are companies that do modifications to the TKO-600 to make the shift go much smoother, even into 3rd. I may try one of them when I decide to have mine rebuilt.
right now i got a turbo 350 trans that was recently rebuilt it shift great but i want another gear for higher speed to keep the revs down and i was thinking if i do a swap might as well go for a manual. but may also consider a 4+ speed auto is there are some that work with a column shifter.
I was thinking the same thing a few months back. All of my higher performance cars, except the Cadillac, have been 4 or 5 speeds. I have a TH400 in my GS 455, column shift, and was thinking of a swap. RELATIVELY expensive! I decided to keep the original trans. I had it rebuilt and put in a shift kit and a new torque converter. I couldn't be happier. The difference over the tired old trans and the new performance one is huge. I do have 3.55 gears which helps. I drive the car most every day and highway driving is limited so I dont really need the OD. The cost was 1/3 of the manual swap. The point is; evaluate what you really want and need. A 200r4 trans, built for torque, is a good option and has OD, but if you read threads, there can be problems if not built correctly and that costs. Sorry for the rambling..just throwing out my 2 cents.
This is similar to what is in my car (look at the first gear ratio) - has been in the car for 30+ years. Original owner installed to tow his boat and get "good" mileage - he also changed the rearend to 2.56. If you can find one with an iron case - all the better. Match this with a 2.73 (as I now run) rear end and its like having a poor-mans overdrive. It's an option... http://www.ebay.com/itm/1978-Borg-W...Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item53e993bdd4
Thanks for the input, guess i will have to keep rocking the 3 speed for now and look into re gearing my rear end.
