Transmission Swap Questions 700r4 or 4spd?

[72step]

Man I haven't posted here in a while!
My truck has a hyped up 327, and hyped up TPI racing TH400 tranny. I don't use my truck a whole lot, and as a result, lately I've been having tranny fluid all over the floor under my truck. With all older auto chevy's I've had this has been a problem. This drivetrain has less than 5k miles. I'm thinking I should swap to a muncie 4speed. I actually have a friend who's dad has been wanting to make his 67 camaro auto, and has offered to trade his 4spd with scattershield, and hurst racing shifter for my auto. This swap would be the cheapest for me, all I would need is the clutch setup and linkages, and driveshaft mod.
I could go for a 700r4 swap, which would still take drive shaft and other mods, but that would run me well over 1000 bucks, and still is likely to leak when parked?
I'd really appreciate you all's thoughts and opinions on this. Thanks...

[cdowns]

for the 4speed you'd need new crossmember and rear mount system also

[wibilly]

myself i'de go with the munci without thinking twice but you'll need a drink holder too

[72step]

So I couldn't modify my current cross member? Or are you saying I need an additional cross member? Also how hard would it be to find the pedal assembly along with all the linkages?

[OleBlue69]

It's hard to beat the feel of a 4 speed. I love ripping through the gears. If it isn't a daily driver, which I assume it's not since you said you don't drive it that often, then why not drop in the muncie?

I have a M-20 in mine and love it. I used the original automatic transmission crossmember. I see no reason why you would need both. If I remember correctly, the manual transmission crossmembers bolt to the bellhousing on these trucks. If so, then you wouldn't be able to use the scattershield, which I plan to put in mine sometime this summer. (Just plain safer to use the scattershield with hyped up engines!) So therefore you will have to use the auto crossmember.

Linkage and fork should be easy to come by. If you need any tips, pics, or whatever let me know. I put my muncie in my truck last summer, so everything is fairly fresh in my head.

Good luck!

[Brainchild]

Do the trade,4 speeds are fun

You'll think you put in a new engine the first time you dump the clutch.

[72step]

If I go look at this muncie, how do I know if it's indeed a M22? Also would I be able to use my Hooker Headers? The Camaro it is on was built for racing, and is running a racing 427, though he hasn't raced it in the last 12 years. Would this factor steer me away, the fact that it was used for racing with high horse power, and the fact that it has not been in use for so long? Thanks...

[71chevytruckguy]

GET IT! most people around here are wanting $1000 to $2000 m-22 rock crusher. you should go with it. i put a 4 spd saginaw in mine and love it. ull need the clutch brake pedal assembly, clutch pedal to z-bar rod, z-bar and mounting bracket, z-bar to clucth fork rod, flywheel, cluctch, pressure plate, throw out bearing, bellhousing, shifter, and yoke for the trans. a th400 driveshaft will work with a 4 spd sag, dunno if a m-22 is the same lenght. hurst makes a shifter for puttin a car type 4 spd in a truck. hope that helps. chris.

[bagged92]

The only way to tell if it is really an M22 is to pull the side cover off and look at the angle the gears are cut at. The gears will be cut at a sharper angle on an M22. Also, M22's make noise when driving (like a gear mesh noise). By the way, most people insist that the difference in an m20 ,m21, and m22 are minimal and really don't matter much. The main difference is if it close ratio or wide ratio. THis may matter depending on your rearend gear. The M21 is "commonly thought" to handle about 500hp! Unless you are close to that, who cares what one it is? Have fun. I'm doing this swap soon, and am really looking forward to it. Can't beat a 4 speed!

[72step]

I am going to check it out tomorrow. Basically if it shifts well without grinding or popping out, and if the oil level looks good, I'll likely do it. I called a local tranny shop to see how much they'd charge to rebuild it just incase, and they said about 600, which is still half of what a 700r4 would run, and my garage floor under the truck is full of tranny fluid, so I need to do something. Funny thing, is the shop owner was trying to convince me not to do the swap. Telling me it is too much labor and such, and for me to just leave it auto. I think he's telling me this because if the 4speed is good, then he'll likely make way less money on me if anything at all. If I go 700r4, he'll make a killing on me, if I decide to replace seals on my th400 he'll still make some coin.

[72step]

One more question. Will I notice a difference in 4th gear on the highway between the 4spd, and Drive on my th400? Thanks

[71chevytruckguy]

shouldn't cause they're both 1:1. might turn a little less with the 4 spd cause auto's slip, i think. chris.

[72step]

One more question I came up with while doing research. The shifter, I guess they might hit on the bench seat? Also what about the hump over the tranny? I have the low hump I think. Thanks again.

[71chevytruckguy]

if its a factroy v-8 you shoule be fine i you with with a hurst shifter. i think i low hump will be fine but not to sure on that. chris.

[jimfulco]

http://www.dandltransmission.com/muncieratio.html may help you ID a Muncie.

http://www.dandltransmission.com/saginaw.html is for the Saginaw.

Your rear end ratio will be a factor in determining what tranny you want to use. Multiply your rear end ratio by the low gear ratio in the tranny you're looking at. If you get less than about 9.5, performance will suffer, and you'll be slipping the clutch mercilessly when taking off from a dead stop.

[Gray Ghost]

Do the four speed. The 700 isn't that great a tranny and will cause you much sorrow [and cash] when it comes time for a rebuild.