Exploring the New Process A-833 Transmission
A super cheap alternative to an 11" clutch & Muncie / Borg Warner 4speed.
Are you looking to put a tough 4 speed & 11" clutch in your classic GM muscle car?
Did you get sticker shock when you found out what Muncies & 11" bells are going for? The average swap meet price on this set up is as follows:
$75 to $150 for a good used Hurst Shifter
You are looking at spending between $700 & $1100 !
I'll let you in on a little secret. I found a set up which I can purchase at my local Easy Pull Junkyard for a total of $75. No kidding. It's the New Process A 833 4 speed over drive transmission found in 1980 to 85 Chevy 1/2 ton, 2 wheel drive trucks. It comes with an 11" flywheel & bell housing, & Hurst shifter. The transmission has all the same dimensions as a Muncie other that it is a little fatter.
The only major difference is the position of the ears that bolt to the bell housing.
The shifter is a Hurst and resembles a Competition PLUS with a grease fitting.
The bell housing has that un-usual bolt pattern for the trans. It is actually big enough for a 12" clutch. The bell also had the ball mounted on the side for a clutch Z-bar.
4th = 0.73
I wanted to try this set up out and had the perfect candidate. This 65 Impala SS.
I wanted to put it in a car capable of braking the trans for test purposes. This 4000 lb bomber has a mild 350 and a 12 bolt posi with 4:10 gears. It was originally stick but someone had put an automatic in it. The flywheel & bell bolted right in. The clutch linkage all fell right into place with no fabricating.
The transmission bolted to the stock Impala crossmember and all the shifter linkage cleared with no issues. Even the speedometer cable bolted right up, but the gearing is way off.
The only problem I ran into was the 3rd & 4th gear linkage arm on the shifter hit the inside on the trans hump. I did have to notch the floor.
When I was done with the swap, I was pleasantly surprised to find the truck shifter only sat 1" forward from the factory Impala position. I was able to install the SS console (1" forward of course) and even screw on an original old white Hurst shifter ball.
