What transmission does a 350 Chevy have?
The Chevrolet 350 engine, a cornerstone of GM’s small-block lineup, has been paired with a broad range of transmissions across decades. There isn’t a single universal transmission for the 350; it depends on the model year, vehicle type, and market.
The short answer is that a 350 Chevy could come with several different transmissions, from early two- and three-speed automatics to later overdrives and electronically controlled units. In practice, you’ll see everything from classic manual shifters to modern overdrive automatics depending on the application.
To understand how the pairing evolved, it helps to look at the main transmission families that were commonly used with the 350 across its decades of production. Below is a breakdown by transmission type, followed by notes on typical era changes and vehicle examples.
Transmission options over the years
Manual transmissions
Manual transmissions were common in many GM cars with a 350, especially in the 1960s and 1970s. The 350-block was paired with several GM manual options, depending on the model and year.
- Saginaw 3-speed manual (early 1960s–early 1970s)
- Muncie 4-speed manual (popular in performance-oriented models in the late 1960s–1970s)
- Borg-Warner T-10 4-speed manual (used on certain GM models in the late 1960s–1970s)
Manual transmissions remained a common choice for performance variants and for buyers seeking traditional row-your-own operation, though automatics became increasingly prevalent in later decades.
Automatic transmissions
Automatic transmissions gained ground as fuel economy and ease of use became priorities. The 350-powered lineup saw several automatic generations, from early two- and three-speed types to modern overdrives.
- Powerglide 2-speed automatic (early 1960s; common in entry-level configurations)
- Turbo-Hydramatic 350 (TH350) 3-speed automatic (ubiquitous from the late 1960s through the 1980s)
- Turbo-Hydramatic 400 (TH400) 3-speed automatic (heavy-duty applications and performance builds)
- 700R4 / 4L60 (overdrive 4-speed automatic; popular in the 1980s–early 1990s)
- 4L60E (electronically controlled 4-speed; common from the mid-1990s into the 2000s)
- 4L80E (heavy-duty 4-speed; used in trucks and some high-tower or performance setups)
The exact transmission for a specific 350-powered vehicle hinges on the model year and the intended use. For example, many classic Chevelles and Camaros from the late 1960s to early 1970s were equipped with TH350 or TH400 automatics, while GM trucks and later performance builds frequently used 700R4/4L60-series units and, later still, 4L60E.
Summary
In short, a 350 Chevy does not have a single fixed transmission. Over its long production run, GM paired the 350 with a variety of manual and automatic transmissions, ranging from early two- or three-speed automatics and four-speed manuals to modern overdrive and electronically controlled units. When evaluating a specific 350-powered vehicle, check the build sheet, VIN, or transmission code to confirm the exact transmission installed.
For enthusiasts and restorers, knowing the era and model of the car is essential to identifying the correct transmission and/or planning a swap that matches the vehicle’s performance and drivability goals.
