TheNight

Good afternoon gents, I was just curious I am building a 400 SBC I think the year on it is 82. Anyway I want to go manual with it and I was wondering what would mate nicely to the 400. I've looked at the TKX and the T56 as well would either of these transmissions mount up without fabrication? or minor fab work?

thanks everyone!

Edit: Spelling

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

Not sure what a T65 is.

No 400s in 82 that I know of but I could be wRong. Last year for it was around 79 or 80 to my knowledge. Most commonly they come from around 73-74.

Any transmission that bolts to a small block Chevy will "work" on a 400. All you have to do is get the right flywheel for it, and "unbalance" it to the stock 400 spec. Which if memory serves, is about 24 to 24.5 in-oz heavy in line with the dowel pin. Easiest way to get that is to bolt a known good 400 flex plate opposite the flywheel and neutral balance the assembly by drilling the flywheel. It'll take around 20 - 25 ½" holes about ½" deep around the outer edge of the FW if it's cast-iron. Not sure if you can take enough out of an aluminum one that way, might have to figure out a way to bolt in some sort of a counterweight, securely enough that it won't fly off at high RPMs and cut your feet off. Which is not a good thing.



A 400 crank, for reference. Note that it's a 509 block. Sitting in my garage after spending a decade or so in my 83. Hard to argue with that.

jmd

iTrader: (4)

A third gen V8 T5 will bolt right up. The imbalance of the flywheel can be done with a plate that bolts between the flywheel and crank, which can reduce starter gear and flywheel ring gear life. With a T5 that is worn, has case "wear" or bearing wear from.years of use, it will be stressed by a 400. So a driver who can drive can run one. But if you want to run it hard,

There are several ways a. "T56" can be used. The sticky in the forum largely goes over using a 93-97 F-body box. 26 years later, those aren't as available. But, if you read that, you have far fewer questions about going that route.

The T56 Magnum is a TR6060. These are a great option. Go aftermarket crossmember and torque arm to get the TA off the transmission. Really, do.that, whenever possible.

There are a lot of T56 units. None are as easy as the 93-97 units. And every one puts the trans. further back in the car than the 93-97 unit.

Start a document or spreadsheet. The single most important factor is gear ratios. A third gen V8 T5 or a 2.97 first gear T56 works with any 400, as far as ratios. The 2.66 1st gear units are less friendly to drive if you dont have 3.42 rear gears (26" tires) minimum.

The second most important factor in projects like this is budget. If you read enough threads here, have a list, gather all prices, and run into the right trans., you can be prepared to get the right stuff. And the more reading you do, the more prepared you'll be to do the swap, get the correct parts, and avoid snags that others run into.

You shouldn't, but if you go shopping for "swap kits", you will end up less educated, you will run into some companies who don't service anything, juat throw parts together (or copy others' web sites,) and don't have the root knowledge to support questions you have.

So read up, post more detail, and ask detailed queationa.

TheNight

Thank you for the info!

TheNight

You're probably right. I am not to well versed in small blocks. thank you for the help!