Rear lift and Tranny Ques.

[55chevyman]

I just recently bought a 72 chevelle, 10 bolt rear. It sits unusually low in the rear and I want to raise it up a couple inches. I don't know the best way to go about it. Any tips would be appreciated. Another question is I have a 454 engine out of a 1-ton, but it has a 4-speed granny gear tranny and I need to get another tranny to fit in the car. I want to stay with the stickshift and I dont know the best one to put in its place. Would any tranny for a big block fit that bellhousing?

[Blue Bowtie]

Replacement stock springs will probably raise the car quite a bit over the 35 year old springs in it now. You might even go stock height at a slightly higher rate, and a higher rate on the RR than the LR is you're planning on a lot of straight-line heavy launches. Make sure you check teh bushings in the lower and upper control arms, since they take a bit of a beating, too.

If you're going to a 454 with any kind of power output, that about rules out a T-5 unless you like picking up aluminum pieces. A T56 may last a little longer, but a built up ZF or even an M22 should handle the torque if you can tolerate the noise. The ZF is more pricey, but it a lot more elegant and precise gearbox. The overdrive might be nice if the car does any road duty.