Back in the 1950s, Borg Warner was well known for their 4-speed transmission, the T-10. This transmission was used in early GM and Ford applications, but as horsepower increased the T10 was replaced with the Muncie and the Toploader. To accommodate that horsepower increase, Borg Warner went from their cast iron -case T-10 to the aluminum-cased Super T-10 in 1965 through the early 1970s, and an upgraded version was used in GM vehicles from the mid 1970s to 1983.

Today, as horsepower is even higher in many forms of racing and in street musclecars, the T-10 would have a hard time fitting in. But thanks to Motive Gear, the Richmond T-10 has made a comeback with 4 and 5-speed overdrive manual transmissions.

The goal for the T-10 was to strengthen the case with a thicker overall core and more ribbing where it was needed the most. As Greg Brown was saying in the video, “Racers would actually break the tailshaft housing off the vehicle with the shifter on it,” and that meant that additional ribbing was needed at the tailshaft housing. Also strengthening the transmission is the billet midplate, improved materials, and better heat treating.

The 4-speed T-10 Plus is built using the latest in CNC machining, and is primarily being used in late model stock and NASCAR. The 4-speed T-10 and 5-speed Super T-10 transmissions are used in street musclecars where horsepower and torque are higher, with the 5-speed overdrive helping out a little with the gas mileage. The T-10 is a countershaft helical gear transmission, synchronized in all forward gears with constant mesh on first and reverse to prevent gear clash.

Expect to see these lighter, stronger transmissions soon from Motive Gear – keeping up with them via their website. You can also find other products from Motive Gear, including Ten Factory axles, Richmond ring & pinions, Powertrax differentials, and Motive Gear ring & pinion and differential kits and applications.