Johnny, you are asking opinion, I would go for the TKO, (guess thats the kind of answer you get now days). IMO, both of your selections will results in a final 1:1 drive ratio. You are ahead by cutting the cruise rpms off your motor. For this you will get the smile factor. It is more work as you have to add extra pedals etc., so why not go all the way. I would check with the site sponsor for estimate pricing, turn key kits.

 

Actually you will have a final gear ratio of .64 I believe. The fifth gear in a TKO-500 OR 600 is an overdrive gear. I can tell you from experience to go with the TKO Tremec. There are a couple of companies that make the swap painless. CLASSIC CHEVY 5 SPEED AND 5 SPEED TRANSMISSIONS both make COMPLETE kits right down to the pedals and driveshaft. The cost is more expensive with the tko but it is a very very nice tranny. You will love it over a Muncie especially in that 383 motor!! The install is very straight forward and it will bolt right up to your existing setup. If you already have a four speed even better, most of the parts will swap right into the TKO setup. You also will not have to modify the tranny tunnel at all with the Tremec unless your car did not come originally with a 4 speed, then you would have to cut a square out so the shifter can peak through. Call classic chevy 5 speed and talk to Jeff Mortenson or call 5 speed transmissions as well. What ever you do DO NOT CALL KEISLER!! HUGE HEADACHE to deal with and their kits are a NIGHTMARE to deal with. Just my .02 cents!!

Be careful though... Those Tremecs are soooo addictive!!! I need another one for my new project but dont have the ponies to put up yet...

 

Actually you will have a final gear ratio of .64 I believe. The fifth gear in a TKO-500 OR 600 is an overdrive gear. I can tell you from experience to go with the TKO Tremec. There are a couple of companies that make the swap painless. CLASSIC CHEVY 5 SPEED AND 5 SPEED TRANSMISSIONS both make COMPLETE kits right down to the pedals and driveshaft. The cost is more expensive with the tko but it is a very very nice tranny. You will love it over a Muncie especially in that 383 motor!! The install is very straight forward and it will bolt right up to your existing setup. If you already have a four speed even better, most of the parts will swap right into the TKO setup. You also will not have to modify the tranny tunnel at all with the Tremec unless your car did not come originally with a 4 speed, then you would have to cut a square out so the shifter can peak through. Call classic chevy 5 speed and talk to Jeff Mortenson or call 5 speed transmissions as well. What ever you do DO NOT CALL KEISLER!! HUGE HEADACHE to deal with and their kits are a NIGHTMARE to deal with. Just my .02 cents!!

Be careful though... Those Tremecs are soooo addictive!!! I need another one for my new project but dont have the ponies to put up yet...

Would you mind telling me how you came up with this? I have thousands of satisfied customers. The Camaro kit installs it self into the car.

Way to easy no modifications.

Gene

 

ditto the 2 posts above. My TKO completely changed the character of my car (swapped from M20) Now I can drive it anywhere, anytime. Overdrive is a wonderful thing!

As far as cost, unless you can find a used one, the TKO will cost quite a bit more.

Upside is you can get a kit from site sponsor Classic Chevy 5 Speed that includes EVERYTHING (do they include pedals too? not sure) to convert from an automatic.

 

The muncie 4 speed is probably easier to install. There's no need to align the tranny perfectly to the motor. You need to use a dial indicator on the TKO to get everything lined up.

The TKO is more costly to install because you need a different yoke, and either a new drive shaft or you existing one shortened. You also need a new crossmember.

A complete TKO kit will cost you about $3500 to convert from an automatic. A muncie 4 speed conversion will cost $2000 or less. I did mine (super T10) for about $1100 because I got the tranny free but had to have it rebuilt. If funds are an issue, I'd stick to the muncie. But if you have the funds and have a high gear ratio (3.73, 4.11 etc.), then I'd go for the TKO.

 

The muncie 4 speed is probably easier to install. There's no need to align the tranny perfectly to the motor. You need to use a dial indicator on the TKO to get everything lined up.

This is the first I've heard of having to use a dial indicator to line up the tranny. Why would you need it? If you use a scatter shield instead of a factory style bellhousing, you'll have to adjust the pivot ball for the clutch. I've also heard that floor clearance is an issue if the body has some floor sag. Other than that, I thought it was a straight forward install.

 

Thanks Jim and to all who chimed in.
Johnny K

 

Thanks for clearing that up guys. I just got rid of my M-21 this winter waiting to pickup a TKO 600. Hopefully all goes well.

 

From there website "With a torque rating of 450 ft/lbs. the T56 can handle the demands of most motors."

Do they offer an option that can handle more power than this? I would guess that most BBC would not have a problem getting near the max quite easily. Maybe the transmissions are underated on what they can take vs advertised.

 

Thanks for the kind words guys.
Johnnyk31-
Give us a call and we would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

 

Thanks Jeff, I plan on calling you guys. Just hope I can find someone here in Charlotte, NC to install it correctly!! Any recommendations?

 

Guys
The .005" bell housing runout spec has been around for a very long time. Some of those stories youv'e heard of Muncies poping out of gear were blamed on the tranny and not the warped original bell housing. A Muncie, Saginaw or a BW has a ball bearing front input shaft bearing and is much more tolerant of miss alignment. The new Tremecs use a tapered roller bearing much the same as a pinion in a rear end. When this transmission heats up there is actually a load on this bearing and holds the input shaft solidly. (this is why you shoudn't over shim this bearing). The reason alignment has become an issue lately is because a lot of us are putting new technology in our old cars and we have to pay attention to the details that didn't matter as much with the old trannies. Ah the good old days!

 

The Tremec T56 has a model (TUET1806) that will handle 550 ft-lbs torque.