Super T-10 Transmission Specifications
by Tim McQuade
The Super T-10, also known as the Power Brute Super T-10, was manufactured by Borg-Warner. For decades, this company built high-performance parts, especially transmissions, for sports and muscle cars. The Super T-10 was the upgraded version of the original T-10 transmission, which made its first appearance in a 1957 Chevrolet Corvette. The Super T-10 was installed in GM cars from 1974 to 1982. As of 2011, Richmond Gear manufactures new Super T-10 transmissions.
Specifications
The Borg-Warner Super T-10 transmission is a heavy-duty, four-speed manual transmission that was designed for use in high-powered muscle and sports cars. From 1974 until 1982, Borg-Warner produced the transmission for GM's A-body and F-body sports cars. The Super T-10 featured a large, 26-spline input shaft, as compared to a smaller 10-spline input shaft of the original T-10 transmission. According to a 2008 article published in Hemmings Motor News, the Super T-10s "were built to withstand the higher rpm requirements for the larger muscle car engines." In addition, to handle the demands of 1970s and 1980s muscle cars, the Super T-10 was equipped with hardened gears, hardened cases and various gear ratios.
Gear Ratios
Depending upon the production year, the Super T-10 transmission had varying gear ratios. From 1974 until 1977, the transmission ratio was 2.43-to-1 for first gear, 1.61-to-1 for second gear, 1.23-to-1 for third gear and 1.00-to-1 for fourth gear. Some transmissions used similar gear ratios of 2.43-to-1, 1.76-to-1, 1.47-to-1 and 1.00-to-1.
Borg-Warner continued to increase the gear ratio of the transmission throughout its production life. From 1977 until 1979, the transmission used gear ratios of 2.64-to-1, 2.1-to-1, 1.6-to-1 and 1.00-to-1. During this time, Borg-Warner also released a transmission with ratios of 2.64-to-1, 1.75-to-1, 1.33-to-1 and 1.00-to-1. From 1979 until 1981, the transmission was modified to use 2.88-to-1, 1.74-to-1, 1.33-to-1 and 1.00-to-1 gear ratios. Finally, from 1980 until 1982, the transmission was available with gear ratios of 3.44-to-1, 2.28-to-1, 1.46-to-1 and 1.00-to-1.
Design
A distinct design feature shared by all T-10 models was a nine-bolt side cover that featured a downwards facing D-shaped design. Another design feature of the Super T-10 was the reverse linkage mechanism being attached to the tail-shaft of the transmission. This design came about when Borg-Warner, making room for a fourth gear in the driveshaft, took a T-85 three-speed manual transmission and converted it into the T-10. To fit a fourth gear in the case, the reverse gear in the trail-shaft was placed in the tail-shaft.
When used in original GM cars, the transmission designations M-18, M-21 and M-24 were used to denote the Super T-10 transmission.
Cost
When purchasing a used Super T-10 transmission from a junkyard, the price range varies between $300 and $800. A new Super T-10 can cost upwards of $1,500.
References
Writer Bio
Tim McQuade began writing in 1999. He has worked for two newspapers, including "The Ithaca Times," and has had a short story published. McQuade received a Bachelor of Arts in writing from Ithaca College.
