Saginaw 4 / 5 speed manuals

I wanted to get some opinions on a future project for my '78 Skylark. I really want to convert from auto to manual and was thinking of using a Saginaw 4 or 5 speed from a skyhawk around the same vintage as my Skylark. I currently have a 231 v6 and would either like to rebuild it or install a 350 later. I figured the sag would be the easiest swap.

If I did convert to a manual would the Sag hold up behind a mildly modded 350 should the time come? o No:

Or are there any other suggestions?

Thanks

 

Saginaws are really not bad transmissions. If you don't plan on running slicks I see no reason why a Sag won't last along time behind a mild 350.

 

glad to hear that. those things should be pretty readily available in the bone yards. that car probably won't ever see the track. well, maybe once just to see. other than that it will just be a street cruiser.

 

any other opinions?

 

I had a 4-speed in a 57 Chev with a hot 327 for many years. Took it to the strip but never had slicks on it. Never had any problem with it.

 

Do some people say Saginaws won't hold up to Buick torque?.. Yes

Is the Saginaw in my car noisy?..Yes

Does it shift like its full of loose nuts and bolts?...Yes

Does it hold up to my "Drive it like you stole it" 4-speed technique?...Yes

I bought a Muncie a few years back to have on hand when the Saginaw decided to grenade, but it hasn't happened yet (Much to my surprise). I don't know how, when or why this thing ended up in my car years ago but I'm gonna hate to let it go. It has a real steep first gear ratio( I looked it up a while ago and I think it's like 2.85 or something) so even with my 2.93 gears my car leaves like a rocket but is still liveable on the freeway.
:3gears:

 

I blew a Saginaw with a beat 350 Chevy. Maybe I'm just unlucky??

 

the saginaw 4 speeds were designed for usage in the cars upto to 350 ci but with 2 bbl carb - 250 gross hp or less.

 

must be.... :Brow:

if your racing with the afore mensined slicks get a muncie or lenco, for the street a sag will do. I've blownup all types of tranny's and motors (yes even the almighty th400 and the muncie rock crusher M-22 :rant: ...its all about the abuse factor.

I'm putting a sag three strip behing a very warmed over chebby 350 and one behind a mostly stock aluminum headded 300 4 bbl.

Jon

 

not quite true... 70 z28 4bbl.... had a sag stock same for the 68 camaro 327 4bbl

 

jon:
thought that the 327 in the camaros was 67 only, rated at 275 hp for a 4bbl & 215 hp for 2 bbl . then no 327 in 68 & up. yea or nea ?