Auto to Manual Trany Conversion Question
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 118
Likes: 25
From: Killearn Scotland
done it and love it
KJL,
I've just completed the same swap in my '76, using a TKO-600 from Keisler.
My personal findings and cash savers were;
Made my own z-bar, brackets and linkages, except for the ball-studs (but I did have access to a lathe).
Bought a complete pedal assembly from ebay for $75 (installation does require removing the dash, but remember to remove the A-pillar trim sections, otherwise the dash top removal would be impossible!!).
Used an old 1978 borg warner bell housing, but got the faces checked by a machine shop for prallelism(?). It required a couple of thou' milled off the transmission side to acheive this (approx. $40).
Did the whole install myself, which probably took about 50 hours in total. Although, personally, I ended up spreading this over six months!
Who would have guessed that fatherhood would rob you of so much garage time!!!????
There is nothing severely technical about it. The biggest head burner is dialing in the bellhousing, but there's alot of advice written in different perpectives on this forum and numerous websites.
Good luck with your descision, if you want more, or clearer info on what I've mentioned, then PM me or post any questions here...
Cheers,
Douglas
I've just completed the same swap in my '76, using a TKO-600 from Keisler.
My personal findings and cash savers were;
Made my own z-bar, brackets and linkages, except for the ball-studs (but I did have access to a lathe).
Bought a complete pedal assembly from ebay for $75 (installation does require removing the dash, but remember to remove the A-pillar trim sections, otherwise the dash top removal would be impossible!!).
Used an old 1978 borg warner bell housing, but got the faces checked by a machine shop for prallelism(?). It required a couple of thou' milled off the transmission side to acheive this (approx. $40).
Did the whole install myself, which probably took about 50 hours in total. Although, personally, I ended up spreading this over six months!
Who would have guessed that fatherhood would rob you of so much garage time!!!????
There is nothing severely technical about it. The biggest head burner is dialing in the bellhousing, but there's alot of advice written in different perpectives on this forum and numerous websites.
Good luck with your descision, if you want more, or clearer info on what I've mentioned, then PM me or post any questions here...
Cheers,
Douglas
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: knoxville tn
Keisler Engineering
KJL
Send me some specs on your car Year, Exact engine and rear end ratio.
I will send you a quote based on you car. This goes for any one else
interested in a kit from us.If we have several orders at one time all from
this thread we will make a considerable consideration on the price for you guys. I will need your forum name. If you want to make it easy go to our website www.keislerauto.com and fill out a request for quote and include your forum name in the text.
Thank You
Gene Charsha
Tech Sales
865-609-8187 ext 211
gene@keislerauto.com
Send me some specs on your car Year, Exact engine and rear end ratio.
I will send you a quote based on you car. This goes for any one else
interested in a kit from us.If we have several orders at one time all from
this thread we will make a considerable consideration on the price for you guys. I will need your forum name. If you want to make it easy go to our website www.keislerauto.com and fill out a request for quote and include your forum name in the text.
Thank You
Gene Charsha
Tech Sales
865-609-8187 ext 211
gene@keislerauto.com
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,677
Likes: 1
From: Potomac Falls VA
Originally Posted by GENE-KEISLER SALES
KJL
Send me some specs on your car Year, Exact engine and rear end ratio.
I will send you a quote based on you car. This goes for any one else
interested in a kit from us.If we have several orders at one time all from
this thread we will make a considerable consideration on the price for you guys. I will need your forum name. If you want to make it easy go to our website www.keislerauto.com and fill out a request for quote and include your forum name in the text.
Thank You
Gene Charsha
Tech Sales
865-609-8187 ext 211
gene@keislerauto.com
Send me some specs on your car Year, Exact engine and rear end ratio.
I will send you a quote based on you car. This goes for any one else
interested in a kit from us.If we have several orders at one time all from
this thread we will make a considerable consideration on the price for you guys. I will need your forum name. If you want to make it easy go to our website www.keislerauto.com and fill out a request for quote and include your forum name in the text.
Thank You
Gene Charsha
Tech Sales
865-609-8187 ext 211
gene@keislerauto.com
I am definitely interested...What considerations can you make on price?
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 118
Likes: 25
From: Killearn Scotland
Yes, I left the engine in, and yes, the car was on axle stands and I was wriggling about on my back.
The note from maluminse, regarding the tunnel. I found that when I removed the original shifter assembly that there was a concaved area in the top of the tunnel that the shifter sat in. I cut this out so the top of the tunnel was flat but with a large(ish) hole in it. Once the transmission was in for the first time (second time was for keeps!) I could fabricate an aluminium plate to fill the hole and accomodate the lower boot assembly (it's in the Keisler kit) with everything lined up.
The note from maluminse, regarding the tunnel. I found that when I removed the original shifter assembly that there was a concaved area in the top of the tunnel that the shifter sat in. I cut this out so the top of the tunnel was flat but with a large(ish) hole in it. Once the transmission was in for the first time (second time was for keeps!) I could fabricate an aluminium plate to fill the hole and accomodate the lower boot assembly (it's in the Keisler kit) with everything lined up.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 457
Likes: 1
From: Royal Oak Michigan
Originally Posted by KJL
Sure would be nice if they could come down on the price...4800 for the 5 speed. I have 2 turbo 400's and one 200R4 along with a pair of Dart Pro1 and Edelbrock RPM heads I could sell but I still think I will come up short about 1000.
Are you interested in selling it?
Darrel1
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 53
From: Bogart GA
I need to first figure out why the lock-up function is acting up. I have done some research and believe the problem may be with the TC. The folks at Bowtie Overdrives gave me some things to do to isolate the cause. I have the folks at ProTorque rework the TC to tighten it up. They welded a new cover on it. But, yes, I would be intersested in selling it. It has only been in the car for about a year and has about 3000 miles on it. Huge fan cooled oil cooler with Mobile synth trany fluid and LubeGuard. It is their level 3 unit. I have all the paper work.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 53
From: Bogart GA
Thanks Gene I will do that.
Originally Posted by GENE-KEISLER SALES
KJL
Send me some specs on your car Year, Exact engine and rear end ratio.
I will send you a quote based on you car. This goes for any one else
interested in a kit from us.If we have several orders at one time all from
this thread we will make a considerable consideration on the price for you guys. I will need your forum name. If you want to make it easy go to our website www.keislerauto.com and fill out a request for quote and include your forum name in the text.
Thank You
Gene Charsha
Tech Sales
865-609-8187 ext 211
gene@keislerauto.com
Send me some specs on your car Year, Exact engine and rear end ratio.
I will send you a quote based on you car. This goes for any one else
interested in a kit from us.If we have several orders at one time all from
this thread we will make a considerable consideration on the price for you guys. I will need your forum name. If you want to make it easy go to our website www.keislerauto.com and fill out a request for quote and include your forum name in the text.
Thank You
Gene Charsha
Tech Sales
865-609-8187 ext 211
gene@keislerauto.com
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: Bonney Lake WA
Originally Posted by BerniesVette
I installed a T5 Mustang tranny in my '79 for less than $1,500.00. Definately go with the hydraulic clutch! Mucheasier to install and easier to use!
Bernie
Bernie
Scott,,,
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
From: Woodland Park Colorado
When you guys installed the t5 trans did you have to pull dash also to get pedals installed if I go 5 speed that would be the option I will go also. If not guess its the 200r4 install for me.
Thx
Thx
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,841
Likes: 3
From: Halifax, NS, Canada
Originally Posted by woodlandcorvette
When you guys installed the t5 trans did you have to pull dash also to get pedals installed if I go 5 speed that would be the option I will go also. If not guess its the 200r4 install for me.
Thx
Thx
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,282
Likes: 172
From: Lake Wylie, South Carolina
i just had this done to my car. The biggest P.I.T.A. is switching out the pedals. I think you have to weld the z - bar to the frame to.[/QUOTE]
Yes and no..... Pedals are the biggest PITA.
You can buy a z-bar frame bracket for a 78-82. It is a bolt in. Drill and tap 2 holes in the frame and mount the bracket. Make sure you get it lined up correctly or the geometry will be wrong and you will bend the bracket with pedal pressure. ask me how I know.....
Also make sure you get the correct clutch fork. The Lakewood GM fork will not work without serious modification. Again, ask me how I know..... [QUOTE=slowup]
Other than these issues my sap was pretty easy. If you do stay with mechanical clutch linkage do yourself a favor and buy the heim joint setup from speeddirect. It is pricey but when you compare it to the stock junk it is well worth it.
Good Luck!
BR
Yes and no..... Pedals are the biggest PITA.
You can buy a z-bar frame bracket for a 78-82. It is a bolt in. Drill and tap 2 holes in the frame and mount the bracket. Make sure you get it lined up correctly or the geometry will be wrong and you will bend the bracket with pedal pressure. ask me how I know..... Also make sure you get the correct clutch fork. The Lakewood GM fork will not work without serious modification. Again, ask me how I know..... [QUOTE=slowup]Other than these issues my sap was pretty easy. If you do stay with mechanical clutch linkage do yourself a favor and buy the heim joint setup from speeddirect. It is pricey but when you compare it to the stock junk it is well worth it.
Good Luck!
BR
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville Tennessee
I did not pull the dash to do my install. I did loosen it a bit but did not have to remove it. This was an easy swap and well worth the time, money and effort. I would not hesitate to do it again.
Bernie
Bernie