LUVTruck.com

Hey guys, I am new to this forum, my dad has had a LUV since I was born, and I just recently bought a 1980. I wanted to know if I put a SBC up front if there was any way of running a manual transmission. Either bolt on or through fabrication. I was thinking a munsee, or hurst, ect. Thanks

Austin

The muncie SM465 (aka the granny 4-speed), bolts right up to the 350 if you have the bell housing. That is the tranmission i'm going to use in my LUV.

Do you know if it is going to bolt directly up ? Will there be any problem with the linkage ? Do you know what differential you are going to bolt it up to ?

Austin

I'm going to run:

SBC 350
SM465
NP205 transfer case
dana 44 front axle
corp. gm 14 bolt rear.

I'm using a super T-10 in mine. I got a hurst indy shifter, and I'm using a hydralic throwout bearing because there isn't very much room for the stock style fork.I had to get a driveshaft made and the shifter is about 6 inches farther back then stock.I'm still using my bench seat but it is pretty close.I can post some pics if you want?

_________________
1975 V8 Luv
1980 Bagged Luv

I'd like pictures As many pictures of your setup as possible...

Here's a picture of the trans mount.
I cut the old mount in half and rewelded angle iron in place to so I could drop the mount lower for the T-10.The mount looks like its hanging down, but I got the back of the truck jacked up higher in the rear on jackstands.When its on the ground it sits level to the ground.
Luckily I had the drivers side exhaust off or I wouldnt be able to get a pic of the mount.

Here's where the shifter ends up really close to the bench seat.
Like my shifter boot?
Luckily I had the drivers side exhaust off or I wouldnt be able to get a pic of the mount.

Here is the clutch master cylinder.

I took the pushrod out of the old cylinder and put it on the new one.

_________________
1975 V8 Luv
1980 Bagged Luv

If I were doing a manual trans in a LUV, I'd do a Borg Warner T56. Six gears and pretty durable. 1st is pretty low ratio and 6th is .56:1 so that will get you some good gas mileage. it has internal shift rails and you can get a Hurst shifter for it at a local Kragen if you want.Plus parts are everywhere as this is the trans that was/is used in the GM V8 cars (Camaro, Corvette). The price is really coming down on them. I think they go for about $200-$500

_________________
1978 LUV Truck 2WD
450 "Small Block" Chevy
3.70 Ford 9
28x10 Goodyears

Thanks guys for all imput !

Austin

I really like where that shifter ended up... I want to do the same with mine.. With bucket seats that would be slick..



I've been waiting for the price of those to come down. The dang richmonds are outrageous... I'm not going to be running 9's or anything.. ever.. so that should do. If it can hold up to a 405hp 'vette, I should be fine.

I'm really not a fan of the newer Borg Warner transmissions I like the traditional four speeds from the muscle car era.But a five or six speed would be nice.Plus I got a really good deal on it being from a '62 Corvette.I was thinking of taking an overdrive off of a saginaw 3 speed and adapting it to the T-10.Anyone ever heard of doing this?

_________________
1975 V8 Luv
1980 Bagged Luv