78 4-Speed
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
78 4-Speed
I have a 1978 automatic that I would like to change over to a 4-Speed.
Don't want a 5 or 6 Speed'
Which make Transmissuion came in a 1978?
Will my auto crossmember interchange?
Will my auto driveshaft interchange?
How much Bud Lights will I Need???
Thanks, Jackie
Don't want a 5 or 6 Speed'
Which make Transmissuion came in a 1978?
Will my auto crossmember interchange?
Will my auto driveshaft interchange?
How much Bud Lights will I Need???
Thanks, Jackie
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,235
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Which make Transmission came in a 1978?
Here's an interesting thread on the forum from a few years past
Borg Warner
Will my auto crossmember interchange?
How much Bud Lights will I Need???
But do a search on the forum. Seems like this has been visited frequently over the years.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,632
Likes: 3,100
From: Shamong, NJ
My first suggestion if you elect to pursue a transmission change is to get a copy of the 1978 assembly instruction manual and review the sections on transmissions. These sections will itemize what's needed for a four-speed application such as bell-housing, clutch pedals, linkage, etc.
Borg-Warner T-10 four-speed
Borg-Warner T-10 four-speed
At some point during 1974, Chevrolet fazed in the Super T10, to replaced the Muncie's, that were previously used. The last year a regular BW T-10 was used, was 1963.
Saginaw 4 speeds were also used in some 78 (and 79-80) Corvettes.
If my recollections serve me this early in the am, four-speeds came with a cross member that bolted up while autos came with a welded frame member. Not sure about the driveshaft interchange.
The 1981 Corvette parts book, shows the same drive shaft part number for use with the automatic and the 4 speed.
Check with Volunteer Products, in Knoxville, TN. They make a conversion kit for doing this swap. It doesn't have the trans, clutch or bellhousing, but it does contain all the other parts you need (pedals, cross shaft, push rods, shifter, etc.). It's a lot easier than trying to track down all the pieces needed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,235
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
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Racer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 297
Likes: 19
From: arlington TX
Hi,
I went the other way on my 74 L-82 - took out the BW T10 4-speed (also had the Muncie 4-speed at one time (I tend to blow stuff up!)) and put in a Turbo 350. Same crossmember (welded-in manual crossmember) and drive shaft and yoke. Pull one out and put the other in. Then deal with clutch/shifter, etc.
Good Luck.
I went the other way on my 74 L-82 - took out the BW T10 4-speed (also had the Muncie 4-speed at one time (I tend to blow stuff up!)) and put in a Turbo 350. Same crossmember (welded-in manual crossmember) and drive shaft and yoke. Pull one out and put the other in. Then deal with clutch/shifter, etc.
Good Luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,317
Likes: 111
From: St Louis MO
The 32 spline output yoke is also used on the TH-400, but may have either 1310 or 1330 series u-joint compatibility.
If you find incompatibility, Spicer makes a nice conversion u-joint to join 1310 and 1330 series.
The removable cross member works with both transmissions and makes removal and replacement much easier.
1981, 78, automatic, c3, conversion, corvette, driveshafts, interchange, saginaw, setup, speed, swap, trans, transmission
