Trans and engine question your thoughts?

[jbbies]

I have a pretty much stock 302 and the original 3 speed. What I want is as straight foward as It can be swap for a better trans that will fit my needs as well as engine. I want to use it mainly for driving around so I would like it reliable, but I want it strong enough to take it on some moderate trails.

Im thinking EFI on the motor...Have many of you used a caberated efi kit like you can buy from edelbrock? or do most just go for the stock EFI like off the newer 5.0's
Transmission I have been thinking about an automatic but would not mine staying with a manual what is the best swap with out getting to crazy money wise.

Thanks

 

[josimps2]

I have a pretty much stock 302 and the original 3 speed. What I want is as straight foward as It can be swap for a better trans that will fit my needs as well as engine. I want to use it mainly for driving around so I would like it reliable, but I want it strong enough to take it on some moderate trails.

Im thinking EFI on the motor...Have many of you used a caberated efi kit like you can buy from edelbrock? or do most just go for the stock EFI like off the newer 5.0's
Transmission I have been thinking about an automatic but would not mine staying with a manual what is the best swap with out getting to crazy money wise.

Thanks

My vote is the NV3550 if you can find a deal on one. The OD is a really nice thing to have.

 

[jbbies]

I was going to add that I have a solid toploader 4 speed how many of you are using this

 

[broncnaz]

Your best bet is a stock EFI setup and a RV cam matched for your final gearing. The aftermarket EFI is way more expensive and may require a painful tuning process. I agree a OD tranny would be the way to go with a NV3550 being a very good choice. but most tranny swaps will be costly. The top loader 4 speed is a good tranny but gains you nothing but a extra gear its overall gearing is the same as your current 3 speed I ran a toploader for years I didnt care for it offroad. Sell it to the mustang crowd to pay for a good tranny swap. toploaders are going for some good prices nowadays. If your not looking for a OD tranny a C-4 setup can be had for fairly cheap. and autos do good for the occasional offroad juant.

 

[wildbill]

I was going to add that I have a solid toploader 4 speed how many of you are using this

That is what I have been running for a long time its a wide ratio. When I get to old to shift I will put in the C4 I have in the shop.;D ;D ;D Bill ;D

 

[cgbexec]

I chose the NV3550 for specific reasons.

1) Good ratios for a trail rig
2) Good ratios for the street
3) Overdrive for highway use (to drive to the trails)
4) good distance between gears, meaning shifting is smooth without huge rpm increases or decreases between gears
5) light weight
6) same length as stock 3 speed
7) strength (good to 400 h.p.)
8) ease of installation
9) placement of shifter (no weird or unwieldy shifters or gear bangers
10) Very little or no tunnel cover modifications. You don't have to cut giant holes in it and make custom covers.

 

[Steve]

...and autos do good for the occasional offroad juant.

I greatly prefer my C4 to any standard I've had in the past for serious offroad use. Just saying...

 

[cgbexec]

If I was going to do serious off road climbing stuff, I would also go with an auto. For a light off road/ street rig, I prefer to drive a standard trans. My stock 3 on the tree was unbearable.

 

[BwoncoHowie]

I was going to add that I have a solid toploader 4 speed how many of you are using this

Toploader 4-speeds are very strong, if you are concerned with strength you dont need to be. If it was put together with some good parts, chances are you wont be able to hurt it too easily.