Im planning to get an Iroc, and soon after drop a 350 in it, or maybe even 383 stroker depening on what my funds are looking like. Is it wise to get a 5 speed, or an automatic. Seeing that the engine will be producing alot of power I want my transmission to last behind it. WHAT SHOULD I GO FOR MANUAL OR AUTO???????

 

if youre planning on leaving the tranny in there i know theres no way the 5 speed from the 305 could handle a 350 and im not sure about the automatic. Why dont you just get one with a 350 auto already in it?

 

id recommend a turbo 350 automatic, you can get a conversion kit from your local speed shop for about $150, the turbo 350 will handle more power than a 700r4 or a t5

 

get a 6-speed!!!

 

The T-56 is a great tranny. It's fun to drive, good on gas, and is factory rated at 450hp.....but it's crazy expensive to swap in (I should know, I have one.) A 700-R4 with a high quality performance rebuild (i.e. ProBuilt Automatics) will hold up to a lot of power. Also you won't have to deal with swapping tranny's and making the new setup work. It'll just be a remove and replace job. It's true that a TH350 is stronger, but it'll suck down gas becuase there's no overdrive, AND you'll have to deal with making the swap.

If you like to row through the gears, get a 6-speed. I guarantee you won't regret it. If you don't particularly want a stick, get the factory 700-R4 beefed up. It'll last a good long time and you'll have much better launches than most manual cars.

 

If you plan on throwing a new motor in, then I say find one with a 305/5speed... sure, you'll ruin the T5 in no time, but then it's time for a T56!

 

If you know how to drive and you don't beat it like a redheaded step child, a T5 will last for a while. I wanted to do a T56 swap, but there were a lot of things I didn't like about the T56. For one, I'd be paying $2k for a used setup. $1500 for the trans equipment, $300 for a JTR tail shaft so I can use my speedo cable, and God only knows how much for a 4th gen clutch. Oh yeah... and I would have needed a flywheel for a 2 piece block that works with the T56.

So... instead I dropped in a T5, with plans down the road to buy a Tremec T56. The Tremec is a bolt-in that uses all of the T5 hardware. In the long run I only spend a few hundred bucks more, and I get a brand new trans with a warranty, plus the cheaper T5 clutch and hydraulics.

 

Id say get a 700-R4 built and put an 2200 or so stall convertor on it. They have a lower 1st gear than the TH350s so with the stall you can take off like a bat out of hell. Plus like some of the other guys are saying its a much easier swap.

 

i think that you should either go with a turbo 350(auto) or a t56(manual) now you can 350 turbo trans alot cheaper than the t56's and after that it's totally up to you of weather you want an auto or a stick in my opinion i think that the sticks or alot more fun!!! but i find my self going through tire alot quick with a stick

 

A TH350 is nice for a car that only sees limited street use, but having a non-overdrive tranny in a daily driver SUCKS.