I am doing a 5.3 swap in my 82 camaro. can i use the stock auto transmision with this motor?, or do i have to get another tranny?
five7kid
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Apr 26, 2026
You can, but there are a few issues:
- A TH200C doesn't have the bell housing mount bolt at the top, and the 5.3 is missing a bolt hole on the right side. You'll have to get by with 5 bell housing bolts.
- The TH200C isn't a very strong transmission.
- The TH200C doesn't have a VSS (the VSS is mounted on the back of the speedometer). You could probably route the signal to the 5.3's PCM, but I don't think I've heard of anyone doing it. Also not sure if the '82 VSS output signal is compatible with the 5.3's PCM.
- The 5.3 throttle body isn't set up for the TH200C's kickdown cable.
- The crank-to-front-pump spacing is different for the 5.3 than it is for the SBC (a spacer can take care of that).
- A TH200C doesn't have the bell housing mount bolt at the top, and the 5.3 is missing a bolt hole on the right side. You'll have to get by with 5 bell housing bolts.
- The TH200C isn't a very strong transmission.
- The TH200C doesn't have a VSS (the VSS is mounted on the back of the speedometer). You could probably route the signal to the 5.3's PCM, but I don't think I've heard of anyone doing it. Also not sure if the '82 VSS output signal is compatible with the 5.3's PCM.
- The 5.3 throttle body isn't set up for the TH200C's kickdown cable.
- The crank-to-front-pump spacing is different for the 5.3 than it is for the SBC (a spacer can take care of that).
All of those points. A mechanical pass-through VSS can satisfy the VSS requirement for the PCM, but its just another part to buy. Tally up all the extra parts to get the older trans going and you might as well get the LSx trans from the start