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406 & Muncie 4-speed

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JD4020

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Been contimplating my engine build for my 68. Currently got a 300hp 350 with an M21, 3.73 12 bolt, (none original). I picked up good 2 bolt 400 that I was planning to build, but now I am apprehensive how it will be with a 4-speed. Shooting for about 425 - 450 hp and would love to have an 11.99 car. Thought about dropping the 4-speed out for an auto, but afraid that would be a mistake as well. The car is a weekend driver and will be probably 95% street, just a few runs to see how quick it is. Just looking for some thoughts from you guys.

Thanks,

Jon
 
#3 ·
Building a drag car you need a reverse pattern tranny with a Trans-Brake and heavy duty internals behind a high stall torque converter. The only other option is to spend even more money on a Lenco transmission.

Not a drag car; not a problem. There is only one solution: no automatics. That just narrows it down to which Tremec / Borg Warner manual transmissions do you want. TKO, TKO600, TKO500, T-56 out of a 'Vette or Viper (or 4th gen Camaro or Dodge Ram P/U though it makes for a better story to say it came out of a 'vette or viper it's the same trans)), T-5 out of a Mustang or 3rd gen Camaro, (the T-90 is right out 'cause it's a three speed)

Tremec GM 3550 (a reworked reinforced T-5), is designed to provide a five speed replacement to the Muncie four speed transmission. The input shaft and main case are ready to bolt to a four speed bellhousing. Input shaft is a 26 spline with a GM pilot. Output shaft remains a 28 spline so the slip yoke will have to be changed.

If your dead set on the Muncie (and I love 'em too) I would be sure your rear gear will keep you in your power band (near peak torque) without having to rev to the moon at cruising speed.

PS build the 400 as an internally balanced motor to keep from having to pay through the nose for a SFI externally balanced flywheel. More choices for your SFI listed harmonic damper as well.

Larger Dave
 
#4 ·
I have a 66 Nova SS, probably same weight as your car (3000 lbs w/o driver), fully street legal. I had a 406 sbc with a 700 dp carb, Muncie M21, and a 4.11 12 bolt.
Car runs 11.50 in the quarter - no problems and sure a lot of fun running through the gears.
I sold a 66 Nova drag car that ran high 9s - low 10s because I got bored with the powerglide.
Hope this helps.
Ken
 
#8 ·
I grew up living three miles from Don Garlits' home in Sefner. Being the swell guy that Don is he let me clean parts, mow his yard, and any other menial chore that didn't offer pay. I remember Don before he lost half his foot and after. Because of this, the only safety equipment that I will not forego is SFI protection of rotating parts. For those who say I'm only running a bracket car not a dragster; look at the June '06 issue of CarCraft, to see what a bad day at the races looks like.

By the way the "stock" flywheel (externally balanced) is nodular iron designed for mounting in pick-ups with a Muncie SM465 tranny, not steel. It is prone to heat checking, and cracking, and weighs about 37 pounds. Do you really want that kind of a buzz saw chewing on you?


Larger Dave
 
#11 ·
Autos are great for very high hp and racing applications, but there's nothing like rowing thru the gears (sorry to steal that from whoever's post I read it on awhile back, but it's always stuck with me) with a stout street engine.
I was in the market for a C3 'vette a few years back for me and my girlfriend to drive on our short road trips. I really wanted a stick but found a great deal on an auto. I told her about it and she said she'd think about it. Next day, she sat me down and took my hands in hers. Oh $hit, I thought, she's about to send me packing. "Baby", she said to me, "I've thought about the car a lot. Let's keep looking. Corvettes are supposed to have sticks". Best advice she ever gave me. There's nothing like it, IMHO
 
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Discussion starter · #12 ·
Thanks for all the replies. Seems pretty unanimous, everyone seems to believe I should stick with the 4-speed. That certainly makes me feel better about keeping it.

My concerns were not really specific, just about the whole car in general fairing better with an auto. Less shock and abuse. And pretty much every car I see with 425+hp is running an auto.

I will look into the SFI protection / safe flywheel. That's something I haven't really thought about, but will look into that. FWIW, I am planning on running an internally balanced crank, so I don't know if the 350 flywheels are any safer or not.

Thanks again for everyones help.

Jon
 
#13 ·
MyBoTy said:
Autos are great for very high hp and racing applications, but there's nothing like rowing thru the gears (sorry to steal that from whoever's post I read it on awhile back, but it's always stuck with me) with a stout street engine.
I was in the market for a C3 'vette a few years back for me and my girlfriend to drive on our short road trips. I really wanted a stick but found a great deal on an auto. I told her about it and she said she'd think about it. Next day, she sat me down and took my hands in hers. Oh $hit, I thought, she's about to send me packing. "Baby", she said to me, "I've thought about the car a lot. Let's keep looking. Corvettes are supposed to have sticks". Best advice she ever gave me. There's nothing like it, IMHO
Click to expand...
What a great find! You had better hang on to her...and the car!
 
#14 ·
deerhunter, you bet your butt I'm doing all I can with both. She has a lot of other great attributes - she works with special needs kids, keeps herself very fit and is drop-dead gorgeous. We'll finish customizing the vette this year including changing the color to black, tan leather interior, yada yada. I got lucky and found one of the Power Brute Super T-10's with nickel gears and a nodular case. It'll take more than the IRS of the car.
 
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JD4020
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