Best Manual Transmission for '69 Chevy Camaro Z28 RS

[69Z28RS]

I’m working on a Z28… mostly stock with these changes:
350/290 Chevy Small Block single turbo, modified for fuel injection instead of carburetor, AC, and power steering.
What I’m kinda stuck on is what manual transmission to pare with the engine. I’m not interested in Automatic. Most discussions I have seen online are either focused on making a drag racer or a showroom car, and this car is neither of those. This is a personal luxury dream car. Nothing else. I do care about power, but I care much more about reliability and longevity. I don’t want a low 4 speed that’s geared for fastest 0-60 because it will be redlining when cruising down the interstate at 80 MPH. Also, as far as I know, I can’t really use one of the 200MPH 6 speed monsters because of the transmission tunnel. So, I’m pretty much looking for a 5 speed or 6 speed that will work with the car reliability, able to cruise at decent RPM in the 70-90 MPH range and will last a long time.
I’ve read conflicting reports on the T-5 being great or being garbage… I think it’s rated too low and can’t handle the power this car puts out. I’ve also read about the T56 but it’s crazy expensive comparably and I’ve read it has shifting issues.
Any thoughts or advice will be much appreciated.

[Blue Bowtie]

Can the installation use a top-loader design shifter? Some can, and some are not very well suited to a top-loaded shifter.

If you think if will accept a top shifter, a little research into the NV3500 and HM290 would be beneficial. Both of those designs have their particular issues as well.

[pitts64]

I always liked having a rear end ratio like 3:08 or 2:73 with the transmissions top gear 1:1. Then have a low first gear like 3.20 to one. This way the driveshaft isn't spinning like crazy as it does with a Overdrive with 4.11 or 4.56 rear end..

I had a 64 Pontiac with a 2.56 and a Turbo 400 with a custom made 2.75 first gear. Wow was that a nice set up.

I dont see the need for having 5 or 6 speeds with a healthy V-8 with a wide lobe separation angle cam.

You are right on the mark about your car being a spirited street car and not setting it up for drag racing. People seemed to be brainwashed with buying drag racing parts for there street cruiser and end up with a miserable performing car..
I went through a lot a research before buying this car because I wanted to build a custom street cruiser. I wanted a car with a good suspension and frame. I completely updated the suspension with modern components and have it aligned the same as the 2006 Corvette.. But looks 100% stock even with the tires 225/70r15 on stock Rally wheels.

[Ol'Jim]

Originally Posted by pitts64

I always liked having a rear end ratio like 3:08 or 2:73 with the transmissions top gear 1:1. Then have a low first gear like 3.20 to one. This way the driveshaft isn't spinning like crazy as it does with a Overdrive with 4.11 or 4.56 rear end..

I had a 64 Pontiac with a 2.56 and a Turbo 400 with a custom made 2.75 first gear. Wow was that a nice set up.

I don't see the need for having 5 or 6 speeds with a healthy V-8 with a wide lobe separation angle cam.

Lots of good advice in the reply by Pitts64.
If you have a cam with a wide powerband, then a 4 Speed trans with wide-ratio gearing like a Muncie M-21 should be fine. Especially with a reasonable rear gear. And if you are not drag racing, then you most likely won't be dumping the clutch at 6,000 RPM or speed-shifting at full throttle, so a T5 would do just fine. Those are the 2 things that will kill a marginal manual tranny.