Replacing t-10 transmission gears
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
From: Sayville New York
Replacing t-10 transmission gears
I saw on a sight for identifying BW T-10 transmission that they had different gears. The one in my 81 Vette came out of an 80 and has the following gears 2.88 1.91 1.33 1.00 2.78. however in an 80 or 81 Camaro you could have 3.42 2.28 1.46 1.00 3.51. So my question would be is it possible to replace the gears in my trans with a set of gears for the Camaro trans?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 19
Yes, it's possible on a super T10 to swap the gears, but you would need to swap all internals. That would probably be $600+.
As pointed out the 3.42 gear set is also the weakest.
I bought a 3.42 T10 out of an 82 Camaro locally for $100, that may be a better route if your current trans is good. They're not very popular because of strength. If you can find an 81 Camaro 904 iron case with the 3.42 gears, they're tougher, but you'll pay a premium.
As pointed out the 3.42 gear set is also the weakest.
I bought a 3.42 T10 out of an 82 Camaro locally for $100, that may be a better route if your current trans is good. They're not very popular because of strength. If you can find an 81 Camaro 904 iron case with the 3.42 gears, they're tougher, but you'll pay a premium.
Last edited by Garys 68; Oct 8, 2014 at 03:49 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,317
Likes: 111
From: St Louis MO
Multiply your first gear ratio by the rear end ratio. 10:1 is ideal for drag strip, lower than this will be difficult to hook. If for daily driving, total first gear ratios will become granny gear ratios requiring shifting to second before you've even gotten out of the intersection. IMO, reasonable corvette first gear total ratios are in the range of 8 through 10.5 to 1. I'd not even consider a 3.42 first gear ratio for a corvette.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
From: Sayville New York
Multiply your first gear ratio by the rear end ratio. 10:1 is ideal for drag strip, lower than this will be difficult to hook. If for daily driving, total first gear ratios will become granny gear ratios requiring shifting to second before you've even gotten out of the intersection. IMO, reasonable corvette first gear total ratios are in the range of 8 through 10.5 to 1. I'd not even consider a 3.42 first gear ratio for a corvette.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 19
I guess the question is what's your goal?
I'm using a 3.42 T10 with 2.73 rear in my 5.3 LS swap 72 Olds cutlass. That car is a couple hundred pounds more than a vette. I wanted a decent 1st gear but would be mostly highway driving. The 2.56 Muncie I originally had was too tall.
The first on the T10 is kinda short, I'm actually contemplating a 2.56 rear with it, a little better on the highway too.
The spacing is kinda wide, which is not an issue with the 5.3. The compression and cam on LS motors has a great torque curve.
And I wouldn't even consider driving it too hard off the line.
You're kinda stuck with that combo. The 3.42 is better for acceleration, but you probably cant use it hard enough to do what you want.
A TKO500 would be an option, but you would need to change your rear to have a usable OD.
No simple, cheap solutions. Wait and see if you can find a cheap used 3.42 T10. But be sure to check internals.
I'm using a 3.42 T10 with 2.73 rear in my 5.3 LS swap 72 Olds cutlass. That car is a couple hundred pounds more than a vette. I wanted a decent 1st gear but would be mostly highway driving. The 2.56 Muncie I originally had was too tall.
The first on the T10 is kinda short, I'm actually contemplating a 2.56 rear with it, a little better on the highway too.
The spacing is kinda wide, which is not an issue with the 5.3. The compression and cam on LS motors has a great torque curve.
And I wouldn't even consider driving it too hard off the line.
You're kinda stuck with that combo. The 3.42 is better for acceleration, but you probably cant use it hard enough to do what you want.
A TKO500 would be an option, but you would need to change your rear to have a usable OD.
No simple, cheap solutions. Wait and see if you can find a cheap used 3.42 T10. But be sure to check internals.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
From: Sayville New York
I guess the question is what's your goal?
I'm using a 3.42 T10 with 2.73 rear in my 5.3 LS swap 72 Olds cutlass. That car is a couple hundred pounds more than a vette. I wanted a decent 1st gear but would be mostly highway driving. The 2.56 Muncie I originally had was too tall.
The first on the T10 is kinda short, I'm actually contemplating a 2.56 rear with it, a little better on the highway too.
The spacing is kinda wide, which is not an issue with the 5.3. The compression and cam on LS motors has a great torque curve.
And I wouldn't even consider driving it too hard off the line.
You're kinda stuck with that combo. The 3.42 is better for acceleration, but you probably cant use it hard enough to do what you want.
A TKO500 would be an option, but you would need to change your rear to have a usable OD.
No simple, cheap solutions. Wait and see if you can find a cheap used 3.42 T10. But be sure to check internals.
I'm using a 3.42 T10 with 2.73 rear in my 5.3 LS swap 72 Olds cutlass. That car is a couple hundred pounds more than a vette. I wanted a decent 1st gear but would be mostly highway driving. The 2.56 Muncie I originally had was too tall.
The first on the T10 is kinda short, I'm actually contemplating a 2.56 rear with it, a little better on the highway too.
The spacing is kinda wide, which is not an issue with the 5.3. The compression and cam on LS motors has a great torque curve.
And I wouldn't even consider driving it too hard off the line.
You're kinda stuck with that combo. The 3.42 is better for acceleration, but you probably cant use it hard enough to do what you want.
A TKO500 would be an option, but you would need to change your rear to have a usable OD.
No simple, cheap solutions. Wait and see if you can find a cheap used 3.42 T10. But be sure to check internals.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 19
I personally would never take a 3.42 to the track. If you kill a gear, you'll probably distort the case. Now you have 75lbs of steel and aluminum.
Your best bet might be to find the 3.42 T10 in the iron 904 case. They were advertised as a "drag racing" gear box back in the day. The gears are no stronger, but the case is less prone to distortion.
There's one on ebay now, but has the 2.88 gears in it. I'm guessing I know what happened to the original 3.42 gears.
Asking prices for the 904 trannys generally run about $750 used. Then plan on $200 for rebuild kit with synchros, torque lock sliders, etc.
BTW, if you have a relatively low compression stock 80 motor with any cam upgrade (increased overlap), you'll have a narrower torque peak and hate the 1st to 2nd gear spacing in the 3.42.
Your best bet might be to find the 3.42 T10 in the iron 904 case. They were advertised as a "drag racing" gear box back in the day. The gears are no stronger, but the case is less prone to distortion.
There's one on ebay now, but has the 2.88 gears in it. I'm guessing I know what happened to the original 3.42 gears.
Asking prices for the 904 trannys generally run about $750 used. Then plan on $200 for rebuild kit with synchros, torque lock sliders, etc.
BTW, if you have a relatively low compression stock 80 motor with any cam upgrade (increased overlap), you'll have a narrower torque peak and hate the 1st to 2nd gear spacing in the 3.42.
Gary, good point. The car has a mildly built 350, maybe 350 HP. I use the car mostly for around town driving on weekends. I hope to take it to a track once or twice a year, and would like the off the line acceleration, but didn't want to put a 3.55 rear in to effect the highway driving I occasionally do. I thought going with the 3.42 first gear in the tranny was a decent option. Better acceleration off the line, but once in 4th it would be the same as now.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
From: Sayville New York
I personally would never take a 3.42 to the track. If you kill a gear, you'll probably distort the case. Now you have 75lbs of steel and aluminum.
Your best bet might be to find the 3.42 T10 in the iron 904 case. They were advertised as a "drag racing" gear box back in the day. The gears are no stronger, but the case is less prone to distortion.
There's one on ebay now, but has the 2.88 gears in it. I'm guessing I know what happened to the original 3.42 gears.
Asking prices for the 904 trannys generally run about $750 used. Then plan on $200 for rebuild kit with synchros, torque lock sliders, etc.
BTW, if you have a relatively low compression stock 80 motor with any cam upgrade (increased overlap), you'll have a narrower torque peak and hate the 1st to 2nd gear spacing in the 3.42.
Your best bet might be to find the 3.42 T10 in the iron 904 case. They were advertised as a "drag racing" gear box back in the day. The gears are no stronger, but the case is less prone to distortion.
There's one on ebay now, but has the 2.88 gears in it. I'm guessing I know what happened to the original 3.42 gears.
Asking prices for the 904 trannys generally run about $750 used. Then plan on $200 for rebuild kit with synchros, torque lock sliders, etc.
BTW, if you have a relatively low compression stock 80 motor with any cam upgrade (increased overlap), you'll have a narrower torque peak and hate the 1st to 2nd gear spacing in the 3.42.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 334
Likes: 6
Gary, good point. The car has a mildly built 350, maybe 350 HP. I use the car mostly for around town driving on weekends. I hope to take it to a track once or twice a year, and would like the off the line acceleration, but didn't want to put a 3.55 rear in to effect the highway driving I occasionally do. I thought going with the 3.42 first gear in the tranny was a decent option. Better acceleration off the line, but once in 4th it would be the same as now.