auto to manual trans swap

[MYBAD66]

My 66 C20 has an auto trans Th350 I think haven't checked to make sure. But i'd really rather a manual trans just out of preference. I have seen SM465's and I will eventually use her as a tow vehicle for my offroad toys/ parents boats but she will also be my daily driver. Should I go for an SM465? or something more like the TKO500 as I am a definite speed freak haha

[MYBAD66]

also just to clarify I have a 305 out of a 74? c10 So I believe they will mate nicely... right?

[endlessearth]

FWIW I was seeking to replace my SM420 4-speed with granny and I did a lot of research. I wanted to be able to cruise at 75 (versus 50.) I wanted to have the opportunity to put more horsepower in front of it down the road. I wanted to keep the 4.11 gearing and the 3/4 ton look and feel. I envisioned my truck as a hay hauler (which it does now) with the ability to run a 1/4 mile (not necessarily really quick but respectable enough.) Ultimately I want a stock looking sleeper AZ farm truck. For those reasons I went with the TKO500 with a mid-shift kit and Chip Quinn here in AZ is building a linkage that will allow me to use the same hole in the floor that is occupied now by the SM420.

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[NEWFISHER]

What are your main reasons for switching? MPG- stick a 700r4 in it. Towing-TH400 if the boat is huge, otherwise 700r4 and a big cooler. Daily driver in Vegas and hate pumping a clutch pedal at every red light on the commute back and forth---700r4. Smokey burnouts and doughnuts in the cul-de-sac--700r4 and a line loc.

I suppose I'm biased after growing up with 4sp cars, 4sp trucks, later 5sp trucks and 6 sp cars and now find that an overdriven 4 speed auto is the best of everything. I eventually grew to hate the granny gear 4sp unless I was hunting or bucking hay, but 4 low does nearly the same. I don't weekend drag race and am not concerned with my fastest time at the end of the track being .5 seconds faster than an automatic, but I do like the comfort, mpg, towing ability and one less pedal to whack my fat head on when I'm working under the dash.

If you are stuck on having a 5 speed, then the Tremec is the answer

[MYBAD66]

I just have prefrence to manual shift than auto, more comfortable with it. I don't mind speed as i'm young and insurance will go crazy up if I have a speeding ticket already. Though I do enjoy the 76 nova with it's 350 in the driveway. But the reason I thought about going with an SM465 is that I am on a tight budget at the moment and will eventually being used to tow a offroad toy 94 K1500 roll caged out and such.

[jtrichard]

you need a bell housing with ears and the cross member unless they made a rear mount for that trans??? and pedal assembly under the dash..linkage...a drive shaft or make the existing shaft fit and away you go

[66Submarine]

Go for it, I like my SM420 in my DD C-30. (Not a fan of automagics myself.) FWIW, I had my truck with 4.10's and a very tired 283 up to about 80MPH before I started thinking about the ultra-loose timing chain and clogged oil passages and let off. It sings a little on the highway when in the hammer lane, but that's not too big a deal IMO. The TH350 you have now will actually be turning a little faster because of converter slip, so if you are OK with it now, you'll be fine.