The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Suggestions for modern tranny with '52 235

Could use some advise here guys. I have a '52 3100 with a 235, SM420 and torque tube drive shaft. I'm looking to swap the tranny and rearend to something more modern and go with an open drive shaft. I've received advice from AChipmunk about potential rearends (Thx Alvin) but have no idea what 4 speed tranny I can use that would bolt up to my 235 bell housing. Can anyone offer any suggestions/tips? Thx in advance.

Does it need to be a 4 speed? Have you thought about a 5 speed with OD?

5 speed with OD would be OK too.

Thinking about the 5 speed (thx Lugnutz for the thought), I'm told a T5 is an easy bolt up to the 235. Can anyone tell me if they've used a T5 with a 235 and what's involved to bolt it up?

Do a search for Lugnutz t-5. He is the go-to guy on this site for t-5s.

I believe a T5 works well with most inline 6 Chevy engines. They don't hold up to abuse but I have seen them bolted up to a 383 stroker and used as a daily driver.

My signature has a link to my T5 page. I have numerous pages but basically you want an S10 T5 with a Chevy bolt pattern or convert a Camaro T5 so it has an S10 shifter.

I assume you want your shifter to come up through the floor in front of your truck bench seat.

Interestingly, I am right in the middle of installing my T5 in my truck (1965 C10). There are photos on my main BLOG page (again, see my signature).

Jay

Lugnutz, I went to your T5 page and see you certainly have a wealth of information. That's a big help and I'm glad you took the time to share your knowledge and experience so rookies like me can learn! Yes, I definitely want the shifter to come through the floor in front of the bench seat. I've found several T5's within a decent drive of my area. Some are from Camaro's with V8's and V6's and some are from S10's. When you say "convert a Camaro T5 so it has an S10 shifter", what's involved with that? Thanks to your page, I see the difference between the Chevy pattern and the Ford pattern. Is there anything else I should be looking/asking for as I'm shopping around?

The S10 tail housing and case cover will bolt onto a Camaro T5. That's what I did when I rebuilt my Camaro T5. Coincidentally, I just finished doing one tonight that a buyer will pick up in 2 weeks. If you buy a Camaro T5 that is in "ready to use condition" then the S10 shifter conversion takes about 45 minutes.



Hers's a link to my T5 page that answers that question.
T5 pre-purchae inspection and questions

How important is it for you to be able to keep your original cable speedometer working?

I'll say right now that if you plan to run an aftermarket electric speedometer, then the search for a nice T5 gets 20X easier.

Thanks for the link Lugnutz. I think that answers all of my questions for now. I do plan to run the original mechanical speedo. I've found a couple of T5's that are made for a mechanical speedo. I'll make sure to check out your page before asking any more questions. I'm sure the answers are there!

Lugzy, you're the best! I am now going to go for it. Wouldn't have even cosidered it without your thorough work on your blog.
Carl

You weren't kidding about the 82-88 S10 T5 being hard to find. I've looked at every online outlet I can find across the country and haven't found one yet. I don't have the fab equipment or access to any local fab shops to do the box relocation on a Camaro tail piece. I'll have to keep trying to find the S10 that's more of a plug and play. Your info is very, very helpful. thx for that and all of your tips.

When I did mine I found a Camaro V8 tranny, and went to a local transmission shop to get a S10 tail end so the shifter would be in the right spot.

Dennis

Yes, it's hard to find those cable connection S10 tail housings. I bought a broken down V8 Camaro T5 for $60. The rebuild kit and a few extras was $130. I traveled 2 hours and spent $230 for the cable speedo S10 T5.

I decided to invest in the S10 because it will retain it's value and it was cheaper to keep my original instrument cluster instead of buying electronic gauges. I've since spent another $40 on driven gears so the dash speedo will read correctly.

The S10 pulse output speedo connection is easy to find but will also become hard to find with time.

Don't forget to include GMC S15 trucks and Pontiac Firebirds in your search. They also had T5s.