Gear Vendor's Under/Overdrive

[57chevyman]

Anyone here running this?

http://www.superchevy.com/technical/...411sc_od_copy/

[Stepside Jim]

Well... purchased, installed, but I'm still working on the build and haven't gotten a chance to use it yet.

I've done a few pictures of the install in my build thread. 1957 Chevy truck re rebuild. ( Yes Ogre, I need to put it in my signature)

We have one other who has it installed on one of his vehicles, I believe he will be getting one for his 57 Truck.

Next up will be the Gear vendors vs an over drive transmission, personal preference and cost will also need to be considered.

[Speedbumpauto]

I used a US Gear V2 unit/TH400. Kind of the same but not as easy to split gears. The down side of the Gearvendors is it's only 22%, I think. The factory OD's are all about 30% as is the unit I chose. The upside of the Gearvendors is the ease of shifting and splitting gears. Mine is either in or out with a mechanical linkage. Mine has only driven in and out of the shop at this point but in today's world and lower prices, I think I would go with a 4L80 derivitive of some sort. Prices were crazy for stand alone's some years ago when I started my project and I was afraid to trust my 500cid big block to a 700R, etc.

[mark '87 930]

Too expensive for my taste, so i swapped transmissions. I ended up with a better OD ration anyway.

[mr48chev]

Well beyond my budget, I missed out on a used one for 700 by a half hour a few years ago when I was planning on running the 396 and turbo 400 in the 48. I like them but that would take a years worth of build budget just for the od.

[57chevyman]

Beyond my budget too. I was talking to some guy in the neighborhood about my truck . He mentioned the over/under option , but I'd rather swap the tranny for one with OD.
I will always keep the manual trans.....

[whitedog76]

You could always look for a Borg Warner R10/R11 unit. They are what the gear vendors units were based off of. They were found in cars and trucks from the 40's up to the early 70's. Typically on 3 speed trannies, Some Muncies got them too.

This guy sells parts for them:

http://www.fifthaveinternetgarage.co...counter_3.html

Here's some manuals for them.

http://www.speedprint.com/deves50/doc/bwwiring.pdf

http://carburetor-manual.com/borg-wa...ook-p-322.html

[mark '87 930]

Frank, I did the controversial T5 swap with my small block. I drive it like i own it, so it's no muscle machine and doesn't require a bulletproof transmission. Over 95% of the driving i do is on highways, so my objective was to both lower the engine RPM as well as provide better fuel mileage. T5's are a dime a dozen and clutch packs are available pretty much anywhere. When it's all said and done, I spent about $650 Canadian (so like 100$ US ). I as well wanted to retain the stick, so i chose this much more economical route. At 65 mPH, I'm now revving at 1900rpm running 29" tires. The amount of work is slightly more with the fact that you need to get a new clutch, drive shaft needs to be cut, and you need to cut a new hole in the floor for the new shifter location.

If at a later time i fully resto this truck and drop in a big engine, I'll get a Tremec...but i'll likely win the lottery for that one.