Thinking about a trans swap
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Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Carol Stream IL
Thinking about a trans swap
Ok so I have a 79 4 spd and I recently put a tremec 5 spd in that. I also have an 80 auto. The th350 is in bad shape so I am pondering putting the 4spd in there. I have the trans, drive shaft, clutch, pressure plate and bell housing. I'm thinking all I need is a clutch pedal/brake pedal, clutch fork, and the rods coming off the clutch pedal to the fork and side of the motor. I'll have to splice in the reverse lights, no problem. I would assume the speedometer cable is the same input on both transmissions but that is an assumption at this point.The other issue I could see coming up, the cross members are different. I have the trans mount that bolts up to the 79 but I wonder if it will bolt right up to the 80 auto cross member. Does anyone have any insite on this? Am I forgetting anything?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
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From: Montgomery Alabama
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
All you really need to add the clutch pedal to your automatic assembly, is to buy the clutch pedal itself, then cut the brake pad down and put a manual brake pad over it.
You might want to go hydraulic on the clutch master and slave cylinder, because i don't think your frame has the mount for the z bar. The shifter and transmission should bolt right to the crossmember.
You might want to go hydraulic on the clutch master and slave cylinder, because i don't think your frame has the mount for the z bar. The shifter and transmission should bolt right to the crossmember.
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Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Carol Stream IL
You might want to go hydraulic on the clutch master and slave cylinder, because i don't think your frame has the mount for the z bar. The shifter and transmission should bolt right to the crossmember.[/QUOTE]
I think about 2 things. Whats the easiest way and whats the cheapest way. The hydraulic is definitely the easiest worry free path. I wouldn't have to worry about flexing that z bar when the motor is torquing to the opposite side.
On the other hand it would still be pretty easy to throw mechanical linkage in. I am willing to bet there is a hole pre cut into the frame where I would connect the bar. It wouldn't have the plate with the ball on it but I bet the hole is already there. And this route would be much cheaper.
Then again I can get a build th350 from my boss for near nothing. But my Dad wants the car and he wants a stick so....
I think about 2 things. Whats the easiest way and whats the cheapest way. The hydraulic is definitely the easiest worry free path. I wouldn't have to worry about flexing that z bar when the motor is torquing to the opposite side.
On the other hand it would still be pretty easy to throw mechanical linkage in. I am willing to bet there is a hole pre cut into the frame where I would connect the bar. It wouldn't have the plate with the ball on it but I bet the hole is already there. And this route would be much cheaper.
Then again I can get a build th350 from my boss for near nothing. But my Dad wants the car and he wants a stick so....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Tuttle OK
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
All you really need to add the clutch pedal to your automatic assembly, is to buy the clutch pedal itself, then cut the brake pad down and put a manual brake pad over it.
You might want to go hydraulic on the clutch master and slave cylinder, because i don't think your frame has the mount for the z bar. The shifter and transmission should bolt right to the crossmember.
You might want to go hydraulic on the clutch master and slave cylinder, because i don't think your frame has the mount for the z bar. The shifter and transmission should bolt right to the crossmember.
Cutting that big azz break pedal down and then trying to add a clutch pedal would be more work than just replacing.
The Z bar will mount easily.
The tunnel will need a hole cut for the shifter and crossmember will need to be redone, so neither will really just bolt up.
I did my '80 a few years ago and can say that the conversion is a fair amount of work but well worth it.
