4-5 speed swap....is it worth it?

[Bonnewagon]

My '83 Bonnewagon is 1 of none with a fourspeed now. I would never go back to an automatic, unless my 60 year old knees give out. Since I have a weak Pontiac 301 I stuck with the standard GM Saginaw 4 speed, 3:50 first gear. I kept the stock 2:78 rear for good highway manners and with the 3:50 first gear gives me an overall ratio of 9.73 for super easy takeoffs from a dead start. I consider 10 the perfect overall ratio, so I'm right there with this combination. Yeah, lots of work, but as stated, oh so worth it.

 

[Longroof79]

For years, I've always considered going with a standard set-up. I kinda regret not accumulating the parts when they were more plentiful and the prices weren't in the stratosphere. That's when I decided to go with an automatic overdrive.

Besides the typical 606 type bellhousing (using a 10.5" clutch), what other obtainable Chevy bellhousings could be used in a G-body car?
I think Quinn had mentioned Chevy Astro vans. I never knew that they even had a manual trans option for those vehicles.

 

[rwd_pete]

The 462606 belhousing works with the smaller153 tooth flywheel and 10.4" clutch. I wanted a bigger 11" clutch. A guy at a fleamarket told me that the 78 ElCaminos with 350's used the same belhousing as a 78 Z28. They are 464697 The G body clutch fork is a unique curved piece. The 464697 belhousing has a boss for both pivot spots. I had the one clutch fork pivot hole welded up and the other machined for the pivot ball. It works adequately.

I bought an 81 Malibu 4 door, V6, 3 speed standard new when I found out twins were on the way. In '88 I converted it to automatic and sold the car and kept the std stuff for my 78 coupe. It was the 462606 belhousing. The four door had a 2.78 rear gear and 3.5:1 first gear. I put a Saginaw 4 speed in the car (2.5:1 first gear) and smoked the clutch shortly after.

 

[marcar1993]

Jetsetw31, I started a thread about it! I think it shows how easy the swap went so far.
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=51874&p=440692#p440692

 

[Longroof79]

The 462606 belhousing works with the smaller153 tooth flywheel and 10.4" clutch. I wanted a bigger 11" clutch. A guy at a fleamarket told me that the 78 ElCaminos with 350's used the same belhousing as a 78 Z28. They are 464697 The G body clutch fork is a unique curved piece. The 464697 belhousing has a boss for both pivot spots. I had the one clutch fork pivot hole welded up and the other machined for the pivot ball. It works adequately.

I bought an 81 Malibu 4 door, V6, 3 speed standard new when I found out twins were on the way. In '88 I converted it to automatic and sold the car and kept the std stuff for my 78 coupe. It was the 462606 belhousing. The four door had a 2.78 rear gear and 3.5:1 first gear. I put a Saginaw 4 speed in the car (2.5:1 first gear) and smoked the clutch shortly after.

Thanks for your input and reply, Pete.
I think I've read about that type of bellhousing that uses an 11" clutch and 168 tooth flywheel, as opposed to the 153 tooth flywheel.
However, I understand that they're quite rare.
I have an old friend up north that had a '75 Camaro V-8 4-spd car. He swapped it over to automatic for his wife to use as a daily driver. He might still have the parts. I suppose it couldn't hurt to ask...although I know his basement was flooded out after Hurricane Sandy and much of his machinery, tools, parts were compromised by the salt water.

 

[mebe007]

my setup uses the smaller 10.4" clutch. I went with a mcleod setup to help it last longer. if you go mechanical clutch its alot easier to source the parts as you can get the pedals, ball stud, clutch fork, z bar and linkages all repro. you can also get the floor hump, shifter boot, trim and trim ring repro too.

 

[86 Grand prix]

I'm gathering parts also. Still deciding T5 or T56. My car is a cruiser, and will never be raced. I got over that years ago. Which set up works best with headers on a SBC? I would rather use a hydraulic set up. I have read so many build stories that I am just about confused on the best way to go. Hydraulic slave or the newer hydraulic throw out bearings.

http://www.sickspeedmonte.com/Clutch.html

 

[chevy2480]

I have a 4spd T10 in my Cutlass 10.5 clutch all factory z bar stuff yes factory. Correct gbody bell. I have 355 sbc angle plug heads. What a b*tch it was to find headers found Patriot header fir and worked perfect. It was all fun till the trans lost 3rd. Lol will be back together soon.

 

[t01blaze]

When I do my 4 speed swap I plan on using a hydraulic clutch pedal like this one: http://www.gsi-interiorss.com/item/tran ... lid=983837
With a 3rd gen Camaro clutch master cylinder.
Have a hydraulic line made.
Use a hydraulic throw out bearing.
Get an SFI approved bell housing/scatter shield.

I can clear headers easy and not have to worry about having the correct bell housing or clutch fork and Z bar. I can use aftermarket off the shelf parts and less parts too. It just seems easier to me.

 

[t01blaze]

I plan on swapping in a new Autogear M22, the shifter and installation kit is going to be the toughest part. I am keeping the stock bench seat and need the correct shifter location.