Rebuilding 4 speed trans.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,029
Likes: 94
From: meraux LA
Rebuilding 4 speed trans.
Has anyone done a post on rebuilding a 4 speed trans? did a search and nothing comes up. I was hoping to find one with details and pictures. Sort of like what gtr1999 has done on rebuilding the diffs. I'm debating keeping my 4 speed or going with a 5 speed. Money's kind of tight right now, because I also need an engine.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
The Muncie is a good transmission and can be rebuilt to withstand a lot of HP. That being said my Muncie after a few gears and many syncros later resides under my bench. The Tremec has been in the car now for 4 years and it changed the whole car. I used to run a 4.10 now a 3.70 rear. I hated the highway for more than a few minutes. The OD of the Tremec made the car a pleasure to drive again. They are not cheap but than again neither is a quality muncie rebuild. If you can swing it the 5 speed is a hands down winner. The Muncie is not that bad to rebuild. I don't know of any blow by blow rebuild articles.
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Hey crf311, I have the same dilema. I need a new engine and my muncie could use a couple of syncro's. I sure would love to go with the Tremec though. I am thinking of just going with the GM HO 350 crate to save a little on the engine and put the difference into a Tremec. As opposed to a ZZ and rebuild the Muncie. It's a tough decision.
John R
73 coupe
John R
73 coupe
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 4
From: Somers CT
Here's a link to 5 speeds site, he has a video that gives a description of how to rebuild a Muncie. I have not used it but spoke with a forum member who did and thought it was excellent. Look around his site, he sells part kits etc.
http://www.5speeds.com/video.html
http://www.5speeds.com/video.html
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 299
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio TX
Instead of the Termac you might also consider a T5 out of a Camero. I found one out of a '91, so the bell housing should mount right up the 327 block I am putting it on. I will have to find way to work the shifter, but I was able to get it for about $500. Much better than over $3K. You can also take a T5 out of a Mustang and get a bell housing/adapter. Do a search on T5 here as there was a very good write up on someone who did that. They even had how to work up the hydraulic clutch, housing, shifter, etc. Good write up, but don't have the link to it.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,173
Likes: 3,982
From: Connecticut, USA
I haven't done a post on rebuilding Munices but Pauls video is what you need. He does it without a press as one would do in their basement. I also used Paul's kits and they are very good.
www.5speeds.com is Paul's site
The 5 speeds are nice I just can't justify $3,500 for one for limited use. If you can then that would be the best option. I still like the old school 4 speeds too.
www.5speeds.com is Paul's site
The 5 speeds are nice I just can't justify $3,500 for one for limited use. If you can then that would be the best option. I still like the old school 4 speeds too.
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,432
Likes: 92
From: Press "2" for English
i too would recommend the 5 speed if you can swing it. the important question nobody has asked is what is your rear gears?
mine being an '81 with a replacement diff carrying 3.07:1 gears, i opted for the richmond five. i had (well, wanted) to fab an entire new crossmember for it and barely notch the transmission tunnel but otherwise it's almost a straight bolt in.
everyone on the forum likes the tremec/keisler and i have no problem with that but the last thing i needed in mine was another high gear. if you have 3.42:1 or (numerically) higher gears, then i'd suggest the tremec. if you have anything lower, i'd definately suggest the richmond five or six speed. i think 3.4-3.5 is really the cut off. anything in that range and you could go either way and be happy.
unfortunately, i haven't had the pleasure of really experiencing this new tranny yet but the gears it comes with are way better suited for what i'm looking for.
rebuilding the 4 speed is really only an option if you're not actually planning on 'enjoying' the car regularly. it will be fine for a weekend cruiser or trailer queen but any freeway driving you'd be so much better off with the 5 speed.
mine being an '81 with a replacement diff carrying 3.07:1 gears, i opted for the richmond five. i had (well, wanted) to fab an entire new crossmember for it and barely notch the transmission tunnel but otherwise it's almost a straight bolt in.
everyone on the forum likes the tremec/keisler and i have no problem with that but the last thing i needed in mine was another high gear. if you have 3.42:1 or (numerically) higher gears, then i'd suggest the tremec. if you have anything lower, i'd definately suggest the richmond five or six speed. i think 3.4-3.5 is really the cut off. anything in that range and you could go either way and be happy.
unfortunately, i haven't had the pleasure of really experiencing this new tranny yet but the gears it comes with are way better suited for what i'm looking for.
rebuilding the 4 speed is really only an option if you're not actually planning on 'enjoying' the car regularly. it will be fine for a weekend cruiser or trailer queen but any freeway driving you'd be so much better off with the 5 speed.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 4
From: Somers CT
i too would recommend the 5 speed if you can swing it. the important question nobody has asked is what is your rear gears?
mine being an '81 with a replacement diff carrying 3.07:1 gears, i opted for the richmond five. i had (well, wanted) to fab an entire new crossmember for it and barely notch the transmission tunnel but otherwise it's almost a straight bolt in.
everyone on the forum likes the tremec/keisler and i have no problem with that but the last thing i needed in mine was another high gear. if you have 3.42:1 or (numerically) higher gears, then i'd suggest the tremec. if you have anything lower, i'd definately suggest the richmond five or six speed. i think 3.4-3.5 is really the cut off. anything in that range and you could go either way and be happy.
unfortunately, i haven't had the pleasure of really experiencing this new tranny yet but the gears it comes with are way better suited for what i'm looking for.
rebuilding the 4 speed is really only an option if you're not actually planning on 'enjoying' the car regularly. it will be fine for a weekend cruiser or trailer queen but any freeway driving you'd be so much better off with the 5 speed.
mine being an '81 with a replacement diff carrying 3.07:1 gears, i opted for the richmond five. i had (well, wanted) to fab an entire new crossmember for it and barely notch the transmission tunnel but otherwise it's almost a straight bolt in.
everyone on the forum likes the tremec/keisler and i have no problem with that but the last thing i needed in mine was another high gear. if you have 3.42:1 or (numerically) higher gears, then i'd suggest the tremec. if you have anything lower, i'd definately suggest the richmond five or six speed. i think 3.4-3.5 is really the cut off. anything in that range and you could go either way and be happy.
unfortunately, i haven't had the pleasure of really experiencing this new tranny yet but the gears it comes with are way better suited for what i'm looking for.
rebuilding the 4 speed is really only an option if you're not actually planning on 'enjoying' the car regularly. it will be fine for a weekend cruiser or trailer queen but any freeway driving you'd be so much better off with the 5 speed.
Clutchdust.......I'm relying on my poor memory here but doesn't the Richmond 5 speed have a 1:1 ratio in 5th?? If so it would offer the same highway cruising rpm's as the Muncie and the only benefit would be a lower ratio in 1st /2nd etc.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,029
Likes: 94
From: meraux LA
Thanks everyone. After thing it over I think I'm going to rebuild the 4 speed. I will give Paul at 5speed a call. Here is what I'm going to be going with. 454 with about 400-425 hp. 4 speed with a 3.08 posi rear. After going thru Katrina and having 8 feet of water in the house i think I'm going to go the lest expensive way right now. Oh. the vette only got 30" of water in it. I guess I'll take some pics and do a right up when I do the trans.
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,432
Likes: 92
From: Press "2" for English
yes, that is why i suggest that if you have "highway" gears, as i do, it's a better choice than the tremec.
