I have a 4 sp manual tranny and have no idea what it is. I know there were two available trannies, Saginaw and Borg-Warner T-10. Apparently Saginaw sucks and Borg-Warner is good.

Anybody know how I can figure out what I have? Visual clues?

Which one really is better?

I've got an 82 Trans Am. When I've searched my RPO codes, I just get "4 sp transmission". There must be particular RPO codes for each transmission?!

Thank you!

 

Look at the side of the transmission; if the cover has two levers on it, with a third on the tailshaft, and the trans has an aluminum case, its the good one, a Borg-Warner Super T10. If its cast iron, and all three shift levers are on the cover, its a Saginaw, which is a much weaker transmission.

 

Thanks very much! I also got replies on the History board and you guys are confirming that I've got a T-10. Thanks!

:lala:

 

Your trans should have a cast iron front case and an aluminum tail housing. If it is all aluminum, somebody has probably swapped in a trans fron an earlier car. The original '82 trans has a 3.44 low gear and is extremely weak. This gives a wide ratio that allows a lower rear gear (3.08 or less) to be used. If you are going to hop it up and you are also going to go 3.42 or 3.73 then this is the plan:
If you have the iron front case, that is the strongest case.
The B/W T10s' from earlier Camaros/Firebirds have much stronger gear sets, Typically 2.43 in Firebirds and 2.64 low gear in Camaros.
Your trans should also have the steel separator plate in the centre of the trans...good deal, much stronger.
So the hot tip is to put the guts from an earlier trans in your case with Max-type bearings Sweet! Shifts better, lives longer, much nicer to drive.
Check out www.amazingmechanical.com for the diff solution!

 

My trans is all stock. I'm 100% sure. I'm basically the second owner, first owner worked in a GM plant is southern Ontario. Just stored it every winter and didn't do ANY modifications. It does have the cast iron front case.

Thanks!

 

If your reverse gear linkage is on the rear tailhousing it is a Borg Warner T10 and most certainly has the 3.44 low gear. So the plan is to get another T10 and swap the guts into your case. Put your guts into the all-aluminum case and sell it. Quite a bit of finagaling but well worth it. I do it all the time.

 

My RPO codes say I have a 3.23 rear, not a 3.08 or less. Would my low gear be different than 3.44 then?

 

Nope! 3.44 low