Bellhousing options?

[rebelgtp]

Hey guys I'm working on getting the parts pile together for the Olds and I need some specific for the transmission setup.

The car is getting a 350 Chevy (yeah I know another Chevy in a BOP car) anyway it is also getting a Saginaw 4spd. Here is where I'm getting stuck and that is what bellhousing should I use? Do I absolutely HAVE to track down one of the super rare G body ones where I might as well buy an aftermarket one or is there another factory option that I can use?

I still have not decided on the factory style manual linkage or hydraulic either though whatever the less expensive (and easier to acquire the parts) all around will more than likely be the route I take.

I know some are using bell housings from F bodies and I think some are using them from Novas so I'm just kind of wondering what is going to work.

 

[chevyman454]

really depending on what hp your running will determine what kind you want stock bellhousing or a scattershield as for the saginaw i would look for either a super T-10 or a tremec 5 speed

 

[rebelgtp]

I'm going to stick with the Sag for now, the car will have other incarnations later on and get a T5 or T56 more than likely at that point. Right now I'm shooting for around 300hp for the current setup.

 

[chevyman454]

hey im not sayin not to use it im just sayin theres gonna be a time to replace it. saginaws arent known for thier durability . just getting the pedals all setup is cool then later on you can swap out the sag for a t-5 t-56 if your running over 600 hp you need to step up to a viper 6spd they can hold up to 800 ft/lbs 😀

 

[rebelgtp]

Sorry if I came off defensive or something just tired of people always saying the Sag is junk. Heck my uncles brother runs one in his stock car and it holds up just fine. I know its not going to hold a ton of power but for a mild engine it will do just fine.

Anyway yeah once I hit a serious output setup (we are talking YEARS from now unless I win the lottery) it would be a Viper 6 speed going in :lol:

 

[86Cutlass383SR]

I'm using an Aftermarket T56 which uses a stock type bell. With the mechanical linkage I used a Lakewood (15015) for an 83 Camaro. If you want to go hydraulics, then use a bell for the 84-92 Camaro. The stock bells will only take a 10.5" clutch/flywheel where the Lakewood will take at least an 11" and maybe a 12" clutch.


http://www.summitracing.com/parts/LAK-15015/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/LAK-15020/

 

[DRIVEN]

If you want to go hydraulics, then use a bell for the 84-92 Camaro.

Don't those clock the transmission a few degrees to the left?


There are some '80s/'90s truck options that are hydraulic. At least one actually mounts the slave low on the passenger side, just below the starter. It might free up some real estate on the driver's side. Might need a centering ring if the center hole is bigger than the bearing retainer on the Saginaw.

As far as mechanical linkage - I don't know the answer. Isn't the clutch fork the part that's really different? I'm not sure there is anything special about the bellhousing. I'm sure someone will chime in if I'm wrong.

 

[86Cutlass383SR]

Yes, both mech and hyd bells have the tilt to them. The Lakewood bells have both straight and tilted bolt patterns. I actually used all 8 holes when I bolted my Aftermarket T56 up for the extra strength.

Both bells I mentioned (GM & Lakewood) use the straight fork. The opening in the bell is at about the 8 o'clock position instead of the tradintonal 9 o'clock place. The GM hyd bell and the Lakewood mechanical both work in a g-body. Been there, done both. I didn't personally like the hyd so I swapped to the Lakewood mechanical bell with the recommended Lakewood fork. Much better IMO. I used the stock g-body z-bar with the SpeedDirect clutch linkage. http://cmc.speeddirect.com/itemdesc.asp ... 25&eq=&Tp=