Hi all, I'm about to get underway on an engine swap project and I just need some advice on the transmission to use. I managed to come by a good running Series 1 3800SC (I know, I know) from a 93 Bonneville SSEi for super-cheap, and I'm trying to decide on a transmission to mate to it.
I've got an 85 4-cyl Isuzu car now, and I'd like to stay manual; a nearby salvage yard has a Muncie 4-speed for cheap, and I'm wondering how it would do--torque handling, high-speed shifting, drivability--with the 3800.
Thanks in advance!

if its the V6 4-speed - you'll do fine - strongest Fiero trans ya can get
if its the 4-cyl 4-speed - you'll split the case almost instantly

It will handle the torque just fine but you want a good clutch. I use the Bully Clutch sintered iron one.

There is one problem though. You need to check the synchroes. I find that with some wear, my synchroes don't do well at 6,000 rpm going from 1st to 2nd. If you are planning high revs, the synchroes on a used tranny might be a problem.

Good luck on it, and BTW, I agree that the 3.65 Muncie is the best performing tranny you can put in it.

Arn

Awesome, just what I was looking for (and hoping!). Much thanks!

quote Originally posted by Pyrthian: if its the V6 4-speed - you'll do fine - strongest Fiero trans ya can get if its the 4-cyl 4-speed - you'll split the case almost instantly

I haven't had that problem with my 84 trans behind a nitrous injected DOHC which I am assuming puts out at least the same or close to the amount of torque as a 3800SC2. I am also going to use it behind a N* ..wish me luck

Crikey, sounds like you got a good one--I know that there were at least 2 different 4-speeds used in '84, and looking at the gear ratios, it looks like they used the same basic template as the 85 V6 Muncie; the performance 4.10 even has the same 2-4 gears, only 1 and the final drive are different. Which one are you using?

The biggest difference between the 84 and 85/86 4-spds (besides the gear ratios) is the case. The V-6 version has a much stonger case.

quote Originally posted by Erik: I haven't had that problem with my 84 trans behind a nitrous injected DOHC which I am assuming puts out at least the same or close to the amount of torque as a 3800SC2. I am also going to use it behind a N* ..wish me luck

well, good luck to ya.
I've done it. had a 84 4-speed. split the case with a lowly 3.1 PR, no nitrous
but, there are also additional factors - poly mounted, grabby clutch, 215 tires, tacky dragstrip pavement - all add up to heavier load on the 3000 clutch dump