Iwas told that i have a 1983 super T-10 doug nash 4-speed in my 71 LS-5. My question now is what are the gear ratios and number of splines (10 or 26) is this a close ratio (2.20 first gear) or wide ratio and is the trans better or worse than a muncie M21
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Re: super T-10 trans
Morgan, it could be either or none of the above. The T-10 was available in a variety of gearsets, and I don't know any sure way to ID the one in the car without using the "old fashoned" method-with the trans out of the car, put the shift levers in first gear position and mark the position of the input and output shaft. Rotate the input and count the number of turns it makes to cause a full revolution of the output. In a ST-10, this could be anywhere from 2.20 to 2.93 or more. Only sure way I know of maybe someone else will have a better idea. As for strength, the DNE units were pretty good, about on a par with a m-21. I'm not sure if these or Saginaw units were used in 75 & up manual trans Corvettes. someone who knows these cars better than me can maybe help here... -
Re: super T-10 trans
Morgan, it could be either or none of the above. The T-10 was available in a variety of gearsets, and I don't know any sure way to ID the one in the car without using the "old fashoned" method-with the trans out of the car, put the shift levers in first gear position and mark the position of the input and output shaft. Rotate the input and count the number of turns it makes to cause a full revolution of the output. In a ST-10, this could be anywhere from 2.20 to 2.93 or more. Only sure way I know of maybe someone else will have a better idea. As for strength, the DNE units were pretty good, about on a par with a m-21. I'm not sure if these or Saginaw units were used in 75 & up manual trans Corvettes. someone who knows these cars better than me can maybe help here...Comment
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Re: super T-10 trans
Morgan----
As far as I know, all late model Super T-10s use a 26 spline input shaft of 1-1/8" diameter. This is the same configuration input as used on 71-74 Muncie Transmissions.
Also, as far as I know, Doug Nash Engineering never supplied any 4 speed transmissions for C3 Corvettes, the last year of use being 1981 for 4 speeds. As Bill Clupper mentioned, Doug Nash Engineering did purchase the T-10 design from Borg Warner, but I believe that this occurred after 1981. If I'm correct on this point, which is by no means certain, then your transmission is an aftermarket-origin, replacement T-10. Obviously, if it has a 1983 build date, it was never originally installed in a Corvette since, as I mentioned, 1981 was the last year that a 4 speed was used in a Corvette.
The Super T-10 was supplied with the following first gear ratios: 2.43, 2.64, 2.88 and 3.42. Each of these variants have different torque-ratings, with the 2.43 being the strongest. The Super T-10, whether manufactured by Borg-Warner, Doug Nash Engineering, or Richmond Gear, which currently manufactures these transmissions, is an EXCELLENT transmission. It is every bit as good as a Muncie and, probably better. With a steel rear bearing retainer plate installed (which is available for the Super T-10 but not the Muncie), the T-10 is far more rugged than a Muncie. Don't forget, Muncie development stopped in 1974 when that transmission went out of production. The Super T-10 has been continuously developed since its forebearer, the 1957 Corvette T-10, went into production and right up to the present time with Richmond Gear. Richmond Gear, incidentally, is a major supplier to NASCAR teams.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: super T-10 trans
Morgan----
As far as I know, all late model Super T-10s use a 26 spline input shaft of 1-1/8" diameter. This is the same configuration input as used on 71-74 Muncie Transmissions.
Also, as far as I know, Doug Nash Engineering never supplied any 4 speed transmissions for C3 Corvettes, the last year of use being 1981 for 4 speeds. As Bill Clupper mentioned, Doug Nash Engineering did purchase the T-10 design from Borg Warner, but I believe that this occurred after 1981. If I'm correct on this point, which is by no means certain, then your transmission is an aftermarket-origin, replacement T-10. Obviously, if it has a 1983 build date, it was never originally installed in a Corvette since, as I mentioned, 1981 was the last year that a 4 speed was used in a Corvette.
The Super T-10 was supplied with the following first gear ratios: 2.43, 2.64, 2.88 and 3.42. Each of these variants have different torque-ratings, with the 2.43 being the strongest. The Super T-10, whether manufactured by Borg-Warner, Doug Nash Engineering, or Richmond Gear, which currently manufactures these transmissions, is an EXCELLENT transmission. It is every bit as good as a Muncie and, probably better. With a steel rear bearing retainer plate installed (which is available for the Super T-10 but not the Muncie), the T-10 is far more rugged than a Muncie. Don't forget, Muncie development stopped in 1974 when that transmission went out of production. The Super T-10 has been continuously developed since its forebearer, the 1957 Corvette T-10, went into production and right up to the present time with Richmond Gear. Richmond Gear, incidentally, is a major supplier to NASCAR teams.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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addendum
Morgan----
One other thing that I should have mentioned is that the T-10 (or Super T-10) have a great deal of commonality in design with the Muncie. GM used the T-10 from 1957 until 1963. During those years, 4 speed demand was not very great so, as was and remains GM's standard practice, they "outsourced" production of this low volume component. By 1963, with the "muscle car era" getting into full swing and 4 speed demand rising sharply, GM took the manufacturing "in-house" and created the Muncie 4 speed from the T-10 design. It was even manufactured in the same plant in Muncie, IN which GM took over. By 1974, with the "fuel crisis", the muscle car era was "dead" and demand for performance 4 speeds seriously on the wane. So, GM dropped production of the Muncie and turned, again, to Borg Warner to supply T-10s, by then upgraded to the Super T-10 configuration.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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addendum
Morgan----
One other thing that I should have mentioned is that the T-10 (or Super T-10) have a great deal of commonality in design with the Muncie. GM used the T-10 from 1957 until 1963. During those years, 4 speed demand was not very great so, as was and remains GM's standard practice, they "outsourced" production of this low volume component. By 1963, with the "muscle car era" getting into full swing and 4 speed demand rising sharply, GM took the manufacturing "in-house" and created the Muncie 4 speed from the T-10 design. It was even manufactured in the same plant in Muncie, IN which GM took over. By 1974, with the "fuel crisis", the muscle car era was "dead" and demand for performance 4 speeds seriously on the wane. So, GM dropped production of the Muncie and turned, again, to Borg Warner to supply T-10s, by then upgraded to the Super T-10 configuration.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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