Auto to Manual
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,558
Likes: 4
From: Oakland California
Auto to Manual
Hi, I need help with a conversion for my 78 Z28 Camaro this time. I want to convert it to manual and there is someone on craigslist that is selling a saginaw 4sp tranny and is saying "This transmission is the same length and output spline count. as the short shaft turbo 350. you can do a manual conversion using the same drive shaft" is this true/possible? Are saginaw's the same length as a short shaft Th350, if this is true, this should be an easy conversion for the Z, what do you guys think. I know this isn't the vette, but this is the only forum that I know has very knowledgeable people. Thank you
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 297
Likes: 3
4 speed conversion
I think the gm 4 speeds are generally the same length as the camaro turbo 350. One thing to watch out for, some saginaw 4 speeds were put into low horsepower cars such as the Vega, and this trans on the outside looks identical to me as the one that was used for a V-8 type car which would handle more hp. Any of the GM saginaw or muncie 4 speeds should fit your camaro without any problem as long as the shifter is correct for the car. You might want to measure your automatic trans to double check to see if it is the same length as the 4 speed just to be safe. Also, some saginaw and muncies used the smaller size turbo 350 trans yoke, while others used the larger turbo 400 size yoke. You can change the yoke to the larger size if necessary to fit the trans. The difference is fairly obvious when you view each one.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
The Saginaw is a pretty weak gear box. idon't know what kind of power you are running but if it is anything near 350 HP or more I'd look for a better transmission. I have blown a few of these up in the early 80s.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,558
Likes: 4
From: Oakland California
Here's the link for the posting:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/pts/1475778199.html
I'm not planning on adding too much power on the camaro, at least any time soon.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/pts/1475778199.html
I'm not planning on adding too much power on the camaro, at least any time soon.
