Automatic transmission to Manual transmission Swap?

[Chickenbone]

:?: :?: Has anybody here done this with the 78-87 Elkys? My Ranger got totaled a couple of weeks ago and I have been looking for a replacement. I saw an '83 Elky with a 305 and TH200 transmission. I started thinking that if I can find a place to work on it, I could get an LQ9 and a six speed for a decent price. I know where to get the wiring harness, oil pan, mounts, and even headers to make it work in the G-Body Elky. I even have a catalog called the El Camino Store which has the N.O.S. parts for sticks. I have never done this swap before; so my question is, how hard would this conversion be? :?: :?:




Chickenbone

 

[Jman]

its not hard at all. i did a 5spd swap in my monte.

 

[andrewmp6]

You need the clutch pedal the transmission mounted in the car and some type of clutch linkage z bar cable hydro ect ect.Worse case is having to cut a shifter hole maybe order a driveshaft.

 

[Elky 83]

Check over at elcaminocentral.com A few of those guys have done this swap before.
Mike

 

[clean8485]

There is also info on this conversion at MonteCarloSS.com.

 

[Jman]

There is also info on this conversion at MonteCarloSS.com.

alot of good info there

 

[85_SS]

Here's some light reading for you:

http://www.shiftn6.com/6gearg.html
http://www.garage-scene.com/t5-into-ag-body/
http://musclecarsonly.com/
http://www.spnkzss.com/tremec.htm
http://www.darklair.com/manual_monte.html
http://www.bowtiepower.com/T5conversionP2.html
http://www.montecarloss.com/ls1montecarloss/index.html


Standard trans dimensions:
http://www.drivetrain.com/gmt56inst.html
Auto trans dimensions:
http://www.tciauto.com/Products/GM/gm_2004r.asp

My parts list:
http://www.motortopia.com/files/cars/al ... bnail1.jpg

...and lastly, here's a few options I put togther to help me decide which route I wanted to go:

OPTION 1:

-factory T56 (from 93-97 F-body) ($1500)
-factory LT1 bellhousing/clutch assembly/hydraulics (from 93-97 F-body) ($300)
-JohnB pedal ($160)
-Abbot VSS-mechanical speedo converter ($300)
-gforce crossmember ($200)
-shorten driveshaft as req'd ($200)
-CTF-700107 153 tooth flywheel (edited) ($400)
TOTAL: $3060


OPTION 2:

-Aftermarket T56 c/w adapter plate ($2000)
-A/G-body (or pre-84 F-body) bellhousing with factory A/G-body mechanical linkage ($300)
-factory A/G-body pedals ($100)
-customize crossmember as req'd ($100)
-shorten driveshaft as req'd ($200)
-153 tooth flywheel for 2pc rear main engine ($150)
TOTAL: $2850


OPTION 3:

-T5 ($500)
-A/G-body (or pre-84 F-body) bellhousing with factory A/G-body mechanical linkage ($300)
-factory A/G-body pedals ($100)
-customize crossmember as req'd ($100)
-shorten driveshaft as req'd ($200)
-153 tooth flywheel for 2pc rear main engine ($150)
TOTAL: $1350


OPTION 4:

-T5 ($500)
-84+ F-body bellhousing with factory hydraulic linkage (from 93-97 F-body) ($300)
-JohnB pedal ($160)
-customize crossmember as req'd ($100)
-shorten driveshaft as req'd ($200)
-153 tooth flywheel for 2pc rear main engine ($150)
TOTAL: $1410


Prices are "ballpark guesses" and can obviously vary quite a bit, but I came in right on budget with my swap (#4) - saved some money where I thought I'd spend some (crossmember, driveshaft, flywheel), and spent some where I didn't really have to (ie. shifter, hydraulics etc.). The inability to find a T56 locally, the high cost to ship one, and the added cost of mating one with a 2pc rear main seal engine is what helped me decide on a T5 (for now at least 😀 ).

 

[Bar50]

Wow, that was a lot of info, really helpful.
I am going to make the '80 Malibu I bought a stick. I secured a T5 from craigslist, an M21 from a swap meet, and lastly an 833A(Mopar style, from a GM pick up, 4 speed, fourth is OD, fairly heavy duty, looks like a Hemi transmission).
I bought some pedals/linkage/z-bar from a guy at drags.
Now, if all that will work with a rat motor and headers....we'll see. I'll snap all sorts of pics.

I noticed bell housing and clutch rods seem to have been an issue, hence the across the board use of rod ends.

 

[BrownGP83]

Im working on option #4 for my car. The main problem i am having is finding a V8 T-5. Anyone got one layin around collecting dust?

 

[Chillin014]

I wish I had seen this thread before I created mine. You can use the factory G body pedal assembly with a hydraulic set-up cant you?? I just found a set out of an El Camino and thought I was on the right track but it looks like my options are very limited if I use the mechanical linkage.