M-22 Question

[JLP]

Just trying to get something straight that I think someone else in another forum is in error.

I know about the M-20, M-21 & M-22 identification rings on input shaft and approximately when the M-22 started but this guy claims there was a WIDE RATIO M-22!!

News to me. Any of you heard or better yet know of one?

Pontiac did not use them until '70 and they were mandatory in '71/'72 with the 455HO and I know Buick and Olds used them but not sure of application. Any help would be appreciated.

[Chevy454]

They make the M22 wide ratio gears now, but they're an aftermarket thing if I'm not mistaken...

[Enoch]

Rob is correct all M-22's were close ratio 2.20 first gear, just like M-21's. And now they are making 2.54 first gear straight cut gears. I think they are Italian made...so when you order a set you have to ask for a wide ratio straight cut parmigiana

[JLP]

Thx guys. I knew I knew but when an 'expert' starts spouting off of what he knows and how he has built many for the bow tie folks and early M-22's were off road units and they really never put one in a production car that was a 'real' M-22 and that early ones were WIDE ratio, I thought, let me come here and ask.

Us poor Pontiac folks didn't get them until '70 and then in '71/'72 they were optional on the A body 400 and mandatory on the 455HO when the 4-speed was ordered. I know what my car had in it.

It has come out that he was probably talking about 'crash boxes' where someone files off every other tooth on the synchronizers for racing because it makes it easier to power shift.

Again, thank you!!

[crash]

JLP, I have a large collection of Muncie parts, and in it I found a M-22 main case P9D14C that was installed in 1969 Firebird 29N100365... Could this have been put in an early Trans Am??? I'm not that versed in Pontiac's... Do you have any ideas??? I do remember this trans being a complete M-22 when I bought it for parts... Crash

[Chevy454]

crash: what's your experience with the steep 1-3 geared Muncies and/or the overdriven 4th Muncies?

[JLP]

Crash,

It could be. I have an article at home about a '70 Formula RA-III with headers, 4 speed, 12 bolt rear running 12:20's in the day. Have to wait till I get home to get the article.

You may want to go to http://www.performanceyears.com and ask the question in the forums there. Just go to to the correct forum and ask. You should get a good reply. Just state the question as you have asked above.

I guess anything is possible as my HO came with a standard 4bbl cam instead of the HO cam. Still MPH'd at 104. Not bad for low compression, 3:55 gears and M-22. Also car came w/o cid call outs on it. No telling what they were smoking at the Freemont plant. LOL

If you don't ask the question at the PY site I can for you.