5 Speed For My 340?

[mhodger31]

Hey guys,

I am currently in the process of dropping the transmission out of my 1971 Demon and looking to replace it with a reliable 5 speed. I will be changing out the rear end as well so looking for something compatible with a 8 3/4. Wondering what is out there that would be a good fit?...

 

[dano]

If your taking manual transmission. Other than the on "intergalactic back order" Passion 5 speed there is no 5 or 6 speed that is a direct drop in, you will need to modify your tunnel and transmission hoop. I'm finishing a Hurst Drivelines TKO 600 swap now. It was a well put together kit and installed with no issues. The rear end type wouldn't matter (other than to take the power of your motor and fit correctly in your car) with the transmission other than getting a drive shaft of the correct length and u-joints to match the Yokes. For example my kit came with a trans yoke for 1330 u-joints. My drive shaft is still the correct length and uses 7290 u-joints, so I can use a conversion joint. If your car is a factory 4 speed car then you have two choices, keep the hump and cut the tunnel and patch, or remove the hump and sell it and have some more work patching the tunnel. I did the second option, I couldn't see keeping the tunnel.

Options are TKO, T56 (6 speed), and the T-5 ( weak as is, can be built up) These would all have aftermarket bell housing available to install. Some have swapped a Supra 5 speed but they are as expensive as the option above used (I never could find a cheap one). There is also the McLeod 5 speed but apparently they are going to enter the saturated Chevy and Ford market before they throw us a bone.

What are you starting with engine and trans wise?

 

[mhodger31]

I didn't know if I could find something that would be a direct fit and had my fingers crossed for that one. I have the original 340 with a factory 3 speed. Really appreciate the feedback. I'm adding to my notes.

 

[dano]

If you want I can post a pic of what it looks like as I haven't welded my tunnel in yet but the trans is in.

 

[dodgedifferent2]

Between a mopar 4 speed (a833)
Passon 5 speed (a855)
Passon 4 speed hemi overdrive
Or the t56 trans (6 speed)
Easy and affordable swap go to the a833
After that I debated between the hemi overdrive and the t56.
I went the hemi overdrive from passon because I basically had all the parts needed to swap in. But in reality I have just bought a hydraulic clutch setup so I am not too far away from a t56 swap price wise.
Kind of thinking I should of went the t56 route but if I went that way I would likely end up with 2 gears I would neverbuse

 

[abodyjoe]

Can always go with a normal 4 speed with a gear venders od unit

 

[SLOPAR72]

Is the Richmond 5 speed an option?

JW

 

[abodyjoe]

Not sure they ever came out with a mopar version

 

[dano]

Gear vendor required a B-body output shaft put in and are as much as a TKO alone, plus the cost of a 4 speed and shaft (they don't show one for the 3 speed). Richmond did make a Mopar 5 speed but not any more and most of them are not overdrives still having a 1:1 5th gear and a really high 1st. Passion 3 speed + Overdive is probably the only "drop in" you could get within this decade.

I looked into a ton of options, T45, T3650, T6060, the Mustang Getrag and in the end the TKO was the most cost effective and easiest to obtain. Its not my first time owning one either.

 

[mhodger31]

If you want I can post a pic of what it looks like as I haven't welded my tunnel in yet but the trans is in.

Please

 

[Ottmundr]

"Intergalactic backorder" I love that.

 

[dano]

Please

I'll be working on it this weekend. I'll take pictures.

 

[harrisonm]

Here is my opinion. Go with a Mopar 4 speed setup. It will be way cheaper than a 5 speed or the Gear Vendors OD unit. Plus there is a lot of work involved with both of them. You will nit have an overdrive gear, so your gas mileage for highway driving will be less. However, for the several thousand dollars you will save, you can buy a LOT of gas. Also, how much highway driving will you actually do? I have a 4 speed with 3.55 gears, and 60 - 65 mph on the highway is no problem. Any faster gets the RPMs higher than I like, so I cruise at a comfortable 62 mph. I thought about a 5 speed, but I could not justify the cost.

 

[mhodger31]

Yeah saving the money would be good for me to put into other areas of the build but I do live off of a 2 lane highway with plenty of rural back roads that I would be driving. I have the intent of driving this build so that might make me think about those extra gears.

 

[Rudy`s Ride]

I put the 833 OD out of a Aspen in my 70 340 Duster and love it. I do mostly highway driving so I wanted OD and could no way afford any of the 5 speed conversions. With shipping, duty and the Canadian dollar it would be in the $7000.00 range.
I do not race it but have done plenty of burnouts and lots of playing and have had no problems thus far.
Mike

 

[LJ67barracuda340]

DO NOT even consider a Legend Gear LGT 700.

I'm stuck with one and have had problems. I call Legend and they say we don't deal with the public. I called the web site listed dealers and they wont help me with even something as simple as a blueprint drawing so I can see what parts I might need to order from them. Then they tell me they don't know anything because they have never had one apart. My local trans shop and I had to wing it and just dig in and see what we could find. Had to get a first bearing from a T56 for a Viper. Oh did I mention that all this was before the trans even hit the road. Only thing good about it was the size, only had to cut minor on the tunnel and I'm still using the factory console.