Help planing my next engine/transmission
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
From: Granbury TX
Help planing my next engine/transmission
As some of the more experienced folks know, for best results, design your engine and gears as a package so you get the right touque/hp curves. I am planning on puting a big block in an early c3 that has no collectable or historic value what so ever (NCRS guys, don't freek out).
Automatic or manual trans??? It won't be a daily driver, but I would expect to take it on cruses and to an occasional drag strip and just generally show off from time to time.
I've heard or read that there is a new GM auto trans that is an overdrive 4 speed that will handle the torque of a big block and I know the 400 should handle it but I'm also thinking of an M22, 4 speed. I enjoy the comfort and ease of the automatic, but can also enjoy a gut wrenching launch of a stick shift.
The first decision will affect which block I can use. Early big blocks like in the corvette LS-5's and LS-6's had a boss cast into the block for the clutch petle pivot. Some later blocks don't. The later big blocks have better lubrication systems and would be desirable. Bottom line, the transmision choise will determine which ventage block I will need to use.
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated
Automatic or manual trans??? It won't be a daily driver, but I would expect to take it on cruses and to an occasional drag strip and just generally show off from time to time.
I've heard or read that there is a new GM auto trans that is an overdrive 4 speed that will handle the torque of a big block and I know the 400 should handle it but I'm also thinking of an M22, 4 speed. I enjoy the comfort and ease of the automatic, but can also enjoy a gut wrenching launch of a stick shift.
The first decision will affect which block I can use. Early big blocks like in the corvette LS-5's and LS-6's had a boss cast into the block for the clutch petle pivot. Some later blocks don't. The later big blocks have better lubrication systems and would be desirable. Bottom line, the transmision choise will determine which ventage block I will need to use.
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Ventura CA
Re: Help planing my next engine/transmission (Strike3)
Since you're not worried about being origional, you could always go with a hydraulic clutch like Norval talks about. I believe he says a 1985 1 ton truck clutch master cylinder will bolt onto a c3 firewall where the clutch rod boot would go, and on auto cars (like mine) there's a blank off plate you remove. That way you wouldn't be relying on the engine to mount the Z bar.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
From: Granbury TX
Re: Help planing my next engine/transmission (BB73Chris)
Good idea! I never thought of that. I could use a "Gen-V" block. I am interested in GM's new 4L65-E. I understand it's put together to take a lot of punishing torque and includes an induction hardened input shaft, extra clutch plates, etc and is available with a kit for non-computer controled cars. Anyone know anything about how this thing might hold up behind a HP big-block? Which other automatics will take it? If I go with a manual trans, Is the M-22 a good choise?
