is this worth the trade

[mebe007]

ok so I have a Saginaw 3speed sitting in my floor. Is this worth trading for a set of new Richmond 3.73 and posi 7.5 unit or is my package too much for a 7.5 to handle or is the granny worth more. He also has a 8.5 out of a gn w/posi and 3.73 but he wants 900. I dont have 900 now. Also how hard is it to setup a rear end ive never messed with one

 

[Coveted]

I've but close to 400hp thru a 7.5 in the pastr without issues, and alot of burnouts.
I also am planning on doing it again, So if your making 350 - 400hp you should be good.

Alot of circle track guys put over 300hp back on a regular basis with the 7.5
If you do break it, its a good excuse to upgrade

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

What cam are you running? One of the issues I would be wary of with a 3.73 in a 7.5 axle is the pinion gear engagement with the ring gear. As the ratio gets numerically higher, the pinion diameter is made smaller and gets less and less engagement. This is weaker than with a numerically lower ratio and would make it more prone to breakage. Also, it is more prone to break if it hooks up than if it does not. That is why a dirt circle track racer can get away with it. The initial shock load is less on dirt than on pavement with sticky tires.

As for setting it up, I would pay to have that done. Expect to pay around $100-150 for labor, and $75-150 for parts ( crush sleeve, seals, bearings). Doing it right involves several specialty tools which you may not have, and the savings between buying the tools and paying someone is not that much.

 

[mebe007]

is that a good trade though?

 

[KrisW]

Considering that saginaw 3 speeds are worth more by the pound, yes....

 

[Coveted]

85 is right, but the pavement circle trackers do it too

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

85 is right, but the pavement circle trackers do it too

Well, my point is that it is standing starts with traction that cause the most damage. A drag car sees more of this than something running on an oval.

As for a Saginaw 3 speed, does it have the G body specific bellhousing and clutch fork? If so, you have some rare items there which are hard to find if you wish to run a manual trans. If it is the trans only, it is pretty worthless, so I'd say trade.