saginaw
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 17
From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
I have a Saginaw 4 speed in my vette. No problems and handles 250rwhp with no problems. I think they get a bad rap. By the late 70s's and early 80's, vettes had pretty low hp...lower than my old 350 has now.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
there is an entire setup on ebay right now that is only a couple hours away and is very affordable. i know id have to get a new console plate and peddles, but its still a good deal. if they are properly rebuilt do you know how much they can handle?
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Bakersfield CA.
years ago,about 13. I bought a 59 El Camino,someone had put a saginaw 4sp in it and 4 gear was bad. I went to the local junk-yard and bought one for 75 bucks, the guy there told me there so cheep because lots of cars had them, even chevy vegas in the 70s, because of the work involved I go with something else if I had a choice. it did work fine in that 59, and that was a heavy car.but I didnt have a high HP engine. just the straight-6 .
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, the World
I had a saginaw behind a warm 307 in a Monaro. Worked ok until I abused it one night and did a reverse burnout. The case was cracked and I replaced it. No more abuse after that 
Not the best box in the world but it will live behind a warm 350.
If you can afford it go for a 5 speed. Currently I have a tremec TR3550 which is not the strongest Tremec available and it is handling the BB torque fine. The overdrive is definitely worth the extra bucks to make cruising more enjoyable.
Not the best box in the world but it will live behind a warm 350.
If you can afford it go for a 5 speed. Currently I have a tremec TR3550 which is not the strongest Tremec available and it is handling the BB torque fine. The overdrive is definitely worth the extra bucks to make cruising more enjoyable.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 17
From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
Originally Posted by My75
there is an entire setup on ebay right now that is only a couple hours away and is very affordable. i know id have to get a new console plate and peddles, but its still a good deal. if they are properly rebuilt do you know how much they can handle?
My future plans include changing over to a T-5, so I can have overdrive. This is another tranny that gets a bad rap as weak. I don't need a high dollar overdrive tranny as I mostly cruise. You need to consider how you will drive the vette before buying something like a Saginaw or T-5. If you are just like to cruise with a mild 350 you're good to go.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 1,502
From: Little Rock AR
The Saginaw was not rated for HP cars. They were installed on base engine vehicles. If you bought a HP model during the horsepower years you usualy got a Muncie to handle the extra load. Even then, the big block guys were breaking the midplates on them.
-Mark.
-Mark.
