Automatic transmission to Manual transmission Swap?

[85_SS]

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.

You can only use the stock g-body pedals with a mechanical linkage (unless you modify them to accept the master cylinder rod). The mechanical linkage will work with the 606 g-body bellhousing, or the 1983 Camaro bellhousing. Check the garage scene link above for more info.

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

I am in the planning stages of this swap right now. I bought my T-5 with bellhousing from the local U pull it yard for $75, and got the shifter and boot for free from a neighbor who had a 2.8 V6 T-5 he was throwing out, so he gave it to me for free. I found the pedals on E-Bay last night for $99 with shipping, or the whole linkage for $320 (pedals, Z bar, etc.). The cheapest way I can figure out is to use the hydraulics from a 4th gen V6 Camaro (about $30 at the junkyard), the pedals off E Bay, and a neutral balance flywheel from the junkyard ($20) coupled with a new clutch (around $150 for a leg breaker). The driveshaft is not gonna be cheap, so I have to figure that one out still, but I think I can get it all working for around $600, or about the cost of having my failing TH 200 4R rebuilt.

 

[Chillin014]

I'm going to have to check the junkyard too

 

[85_SS]

If you go hydraulic - get the assembly from a 94-97 T56 Firebird - they are a direct swap with the T5 assembly but have a longer braided steel line rather than the cheap plastic line on the T5... which many people have had problems with melting due to the proximity to the exhaust. I'm not sure if the V6 4th gens has a braided steel or plastic line.

Get your stock driveshaft shortened - mine was only $110 c/w new U-joints.

 

[Chillin014]

thanks. such specific models and years we have to look for. I figured I'd replace the clutch line anyway..that should be a fairly universal part.

edit- I actually just searched ebay and I guess that is a really common pedal assembly..they arent expensive at all.

confirm please.

listed as 93-97[/img]

 

[85_SS]

You don't want the pedals from a 93-97. You can use the 82-92 pedals, but you will need to mod the mounting bracket (see garage scene link), and the pin that the master rod mounts to. JohnB's clutch pedal is a bolt in deal and well worth the expense IMHO - installing the pedals/hydraulics is the worst part of the install.

 

[Chillin014]

ahh i gotcha. I couldnt find any pics on John's website of his "Special pedal" but if I could I'd just fabricate one myself. I'm not spending 160 bucks on a pedal.

 

[85_SS]

This is what it looks like:

...it's not cheap, but manufacturing something from scratch costs money and takes time - if you don't want to spend the money, you'd be better off modifying a 3rd gen F-body set, or a mechanical A-body set. John originally modified a stock A-body pedal with a bracket (on his site somewhere), but scrapped that idea for the custom pedal.

 

[Chillin014]

I understand. I appreciate the pic! Does that bolt going through it connect to the master cylinder rod somehow? I'd probably just modify my A/G body pedals since its possible I just dont have much of an idea of how the connection is intended to look.

 

[pontiacgp]

:?