Picking a new trans

[rebelgtp]

Well the guy I got my Olds from has informed me he has a few transmissions for me to choose from for my project. I will more than likely get either for free or darn close to it (uncles brother and he is getting ready to move out of state).

He has a small selection of both Muncie and Saginaw transmissions that I can choose from (he was a circle track racer). Anything in particular I should look for when going and looking at these? More than likely the Olds (1980, originally a diesel with the aluminum bits up front) will get a small block built and put in though a 400 or 455 may still be in its future.

I had a Saginaw in my old Camaro and never had a problem with it (except blowing up a clutch plate but that was due to pushing to much power).

So what do you guys think? Is it harder to get parts for one over the other? Will one handle the power from the bigger engines better over the other?

 

[arocars]

The Muncie is a heavier duty transmission compared to the Saginaw. The Muncie is worth more $$. Plenty of parts available for both. If you have a choice, choose the Muncie.

 

[DRIVEN]

The Muncie is a heavier duty transmission compared to the Saginaw. The Muncie is worth more $$. Plenty of parts available for both. If you have a choice, choose the Muncie.

I agree. On the other hand, the Saginaws had wider gear spreads and lower first gear ratios which work well with the tall rearend gears that Gs are famous for. I've had several Saginaws and flogged them mercilessly without failure but I didn't have much motor in front of them. You should go with the Muncie and ship the Saginaws to me :lol: .

 

[Phoenyx]

It also depends on what Muncie it is. The M-20 isn't a close ratio one. Just the M-21 and the M-22 (rockcrusher) are close ratio.