A/T TO 4spd conversion

[73383]

I am in the process of rebuilding a 73 cpe. Chassis is finished, engine finished in 2wks. I thouht I had all parts for the tranny swap untill I noticed that the crossmember part numbers are different for A/T and 4spd. Anyone know what the difference is.
can I make mine work.

body work next

 

[Ala75Vette]

Without addressing the litany of things to consider when changing from AT to manual, I'd certainly say it's "doable." I had my car at my local corvette shop a while back, and the guy there said it was originally an AT based on the crossmember I have. A previous owner of the car did a good job of swapping, however, because the (4-spd) tranny, shifter, clutch, and linkages all match everything I've found in my shop manual for my year vehicle. I don't know the 'exact' difference between an AT crossmember and a manual trans one, but I'd have to think the difference won't interfere much if at all with what you're doing. Perhaps someone else who's done this type of thing will add their 2 cents...

 

[73383]

Thanks for the reply. My concerns are exhaust clearance and trans. mount mounting bracket, also the exhaust mounting bracket at the x-member.

dennis

 

[69autoXr]

I think the major difference with the crossmembers is that for the automatic, it is removeable, where the manual cars have the crossmember welded in. I know someone who has a car that was converted from AT to manual, and he actually likes it better with the removable crossmember, as it facillitates easier removal and installation of the trans (he's a racer, so he's had to do it alot!).

Chris

 

[73383]

Thanks Chris, that answers some questions. I've did conversions before, 56 chev in the 60s, and a70 Lemans. grew up in a body shop. I guess I'll have to wait untill the engine is finished and start putting it together
will post some pics if I can figure out how

Dennis