3 speed conversion

[kuruption109]

hey guys i have the 81 malibu wit a 3 speed floor shift i want to change it to 4 speed later down the line any suggestions and info on the transmission and engine setup that would good for me as this car will be my daily driver..THANKS CHRIS

 

[Doober]

A 4-speed Saginaw, T-10 and Muncie is a bolt-in, no changes needed to bellhousing or crossmember. I believe later Muncies had 26-spline input shafts (new clutch disc needed) and 32-spline (TH-400) output shafts, and T-10s also have 26-spline input, some are 32-spline output. I had to find the same stuff when I swapped my 3-speed out 8)

 

[kuruption109]

A 4-speed Saginaw, T-10 and Muncie is a bolt-in, no changes needed to bellhousing or crossmember. I believe later Muncies had 26-spline input shafts (new clutch disc needed) and 32-spline (TH-400) output shafts, and T-10s also have 26-spline input, some are 32-spline output. I had to find the same stuff when I swapped my 3-speed out 8)

price wise what am i looking at for swap?

 

[Doober]

Depends on the trans. Doesn't seem to be a lot in the way of replacement gears/hard parts for a Saginaw, but that's the cheapest. I picked my 4-speed up on CL for $125. Bought a new shifter install kit for another 4spd I had, ~$125 for that (rods, selector arms, shifter bracket), got a used/rebuilt Hurst shifter off eBay for $100, so you could figure about $225-$250 for a good/rebuilt shifter & new install kit. If it's a driver the Saginaw should hold up fine. I got one with a 3-ring input shaft, which has a similar gear spread to a 2004R, you just need highway gears (2.29-3.08 depending on tire height), same can be done with a T-10, but they cost more on average. The least you'll pay for a decent T-10 trans is probably between $350 and $500, but they're stronger than a Saginaw.
This may be of help when you find a trans. Shifter body will be the same, but you'll need a different install kit, and may have to do a little modification to the floor.
http://www.maliburacing.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=89587

 

[kuruption109]

Depends on the trans. Doesn't seem to be a lot in the way of replacement gears/hard parts for a Saginaw, but that's the cheapest. I picked my 4-speed up on CL for $125. Bought a new shifter install kit for another 4spd I had, ~$125 for that (rods, selector arms, shifter bracket), got a used/rebuilt Hurst shifter off eBay for $100, so you could figure about $225-$250 for a good/rebuilt shifter & new install kit. If it's a driver the Saginaw should hold up fine. I got one with a 3-ring input shaft, which has a similar gear spread to a 2004R, you just need highway gears (2.29-3.08 depending on tire height), same can be done with a T-10, but they cost more on average. The least you'll pay for a decent T-10 trans is probably between $350 and $500, but they're stronger than a Saginaw.
This may be of help when you find a trans. Shifter body will be the same, but you'll need a different install kit, and may have to do a little modification to the floor.
http://www.maliburacing.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=89587

thanks alot well when the time comes for me to do the swap u will be the first person i hit up maybe we can link up and do te swap how far from avondale are you?

 

[Doober]

I'm at the north end of Tucson... probably at least 2 hours away.

 

[kuruption109]

o ok not that far... i just got home i installed the tank today im uploading a vid on youtube i will post it as soon as its done.