304, t176, ax-5

[currupt4130]

hmmmm im about to get a great deal on an engine and transmission, FREE, my buddy is giving me a 304 out of a cj-5, it just needs some work, it runs but doesnt idle well, and another guy is giving me a t176 to back it up, the synchros in first and second gear need to be replaced but other than that i was wondering how good that transmission is? how many gears does it have, and how much can i throw at it before i kill it? i'll be looking to do the engine swap and stuff towards next summer but i just want to know what to expect afterwards.

Also, im looking for a transmission rebuild manual for my ax-5 in my 94 wrangler, ive emailed several places but the all seem to be a-holes when it comes to helping someone out. anyone know where i can get a manual or a rebuild guide?
-sam

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Pick up a FSM (Factory Service Manual) for the '94 YJ, it'll be well worth the money. They usually cost around $80, picked mine up from another jeeper for $25 and it's already paid for itself when I installed my performance cam, valve springs, etc.

 

[Junkpile]

The T176 is a good unit. I think it's rated for 275ft.lbs. but I've seen them behind MUCH more powerful engines. You just can't shock load it too hard. I've had a couple behind hopped up I6s and now I've got one behind my built V8. It's not indestructable, but it's stronger than you would think. It's a four speed, with a 1:1 fourth gear ratio. First is something like 3.52:1. They came with D300 Tcases in the CJ and NP units in the SJs, so it's got the same spline count and bolt pattern as the AX15 version of the NP231.

The 304 is okay but if you see yourself trying to hotrod it at all, go ahead and trade up for a 360 if you can.

Ditto on the factory manual. A factory level service manual should come with every new car. I get one for every vehicle I buy nowadays.

 

[currupt4130]

so i can throw a dana300 or a np231 off a ax15 behind the t176 right? and do i get the fsm from the dealer?

by the way i just have plans to rebuild the 304 so it runs good like new, i dont have the use for a 360 as far as im concerned, too much power is a bad things sometimes