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auto to manual tranny

Dogg

Member
Joined
Aug 3, 2007
Messages
5
Location
Piqua,Oh
hey evertbody its me again and was wondering if it hard to swap an auto for a 4 speed manual. Im gonna get a new tranny anyways and i feel a sports car should be a manual anyway. Thx again
 
The pedal attach points are there, but does your engine block have the hole for the clutch linkage? I'd suggest a Keisler 5-speed w/hyd clutch, but it is expensive.
 
If you are still considering this I just recently put a 4 speed into my 69. It was originally a 4 speed but at somepoint somebody decided to go auto.

First decide which trani you want to use, you can get a 4 speed fairly cheap $300-$600 for a decent used muncie or borg warner. I used a richmond nascar trani with a hydraulic throughout bearing. this is the best route because you don't need to mount up a clutch fork or slave cylinder. But you will need a hydraulic clutch pedal. I bought a Wilwood clutch pedal and master cylinder combo for aprox $60 through Summit. All you have to do at that point is drill some new holes in the firewall and bolt it in. (Comes with gaskets to seal up firewall) But remeber that you will have to buy a new brake pedal or cut the one you have. Manual brake pedals are a bit smaller.

You would also have to buy a flywheel, bellhousing, clutch pack, shifter, new shifter consol, shifter linkage. And after all that, the trani mount is different along with the cross member. The cross member may have the same holes (might get lucky) but the automatic cross members bolts to the frame rather than welded like the manuals had. Yet don't forget that the driveline is a differnt length from the automatic, and the yolk is usually larger in diameter than that of the autos. Lots to consider when swapping trani :)
 
parts list for '81 auto to muncie swap

hope this helps some
TRANSMISSION EXCHANGE PARTS LIST
1981 Corvette Automatic Removal, 4 Speed Manual Installed
1. Brake light switch
2. Back-up light switch, rod, bracket, shield , screws
3. Pedal pads
4. Clutch and Brake Pedals
5. 80-90 gear oil, 2 quarts (fill to plug..won’t need it all)
6. Clutch fork bearing spring
7. Clutch Fork & Rod
8. Clutch Fork Boot
9. Clutch Fork (#3887177) & Rod Anti-Rattle springs , 2 @
10. Clutch Pedal Push Rod w/ firewall boot
11. Clutch pivot stud on engine
12. Clutch pivot stud at bracket
13. Z bar clutch return spring, 1 @
14. Z bar frame bracket
15. Z bar (bellcrank)
16. Clutch Disc, 11” (1 1/8“ Dia.-26 spline input shaft)(10120997)
17. Pressure Plate, 11”; (GM 15638389, get Corvette!not BOP)
Pressure Plate to Flywheel bolts, 6@ 3/8-16 x 1” , Grade 8,
Hex Head w/shoulder to prevent movement.
18. Throwout Bearing (GM 15680264); use the shorter (~1.25“), not
the longer (~1.75”)
19. Pilot bearing (roller type)
20. Alignment tool (26 spline)
21. Flywheel (3991469), 168 teeth, (Starter will need replacement)
(automatic flexplate is 168 tooth but starters are different)
22. Flywheel to crankshaft bolt set , non-standard, “special“!
5 @ THIN Hex Hd, SHOULDER bolt, 7/16-20 x 1” w/internal star
washers. Torque 55-60 ft./lbs.
23. Bell Housing (ID#3899621) w/new ball stud
6 bolts, w/2 dowel alignment locations on sides.
**(Bellhousing and transmission must be in alignment) Phasing
24. Bell housing to engine bolts, 6 @ 3/8-16 x 1 5/16 w/o washers
(will likely use 3/8-16 x 1 1/2” w/hardened flat washers)

25. Bell housing Inspection Cover: 4@ 1/4-20 x 5/8 hex hd. bolts
w/o washers. (due to odd ball length: I used 1/4-20 x 3/4
w/hardened flatwashers and star lockwashers).
26. Transmission to Bell Housing bolts, 4 @1/2-13 x 1 3/4 w/flat
washer.
27. Lower shifter seal/boot and stainless screws
28. Transmission Rubber Mount to Exhaust hanger bracket
Bolt set: 2@ 7/16-24 x 1.25“ ( or 1 1/2”).
29. Transmission Hanger Bracket/Rubber Mount to transmission
** Bolt set (metric): 2@ M10-1.50 x 35 mm Hex head Cap Screw
30. 7 @ 5/16 x 3/4 Hex Hd bolts for Muncie shifter plate
31. 3 @ 3/8-16 x 3/4 “ “ “ “ “ “ arms.
(or use 3/8 x 1” w/Flatwashers & Lockwashers)
32. Transmission to Bell Housing bolts, 4 @1/2-13 x 1 3/4 w/flat
washer.
33. Starter bolts: 2@ 3/8-16 x 4” (and/or 3/8-16 x 3 1/2”).
34. slip yoke for 1 3/8” diameter, 32 tooth spline output shaft.
35. Hurst Shifter w/mount bracket & linkage
36. Hurst stick (has 3/8-16 thread for knob & a locking nut)
37. Hurst 4 speed shifter knob (3/8-16 female thread)
38. 4 speed shifter plate to mount on console
39. Speedometer cable gear fitting retainer (1957-81)
40. Speedometer cable gear fitting in transmission (4 spd) 1965-75
41. Speedometer cable gear fitting seal, 11/16” (1965-82)
42. 1971 Muncie, M-20 4-speed transmission.
43. Driveshaft w/ujoints installed.
C-clips, 2@ 5/16-24 x 1 1/2” hex hd. bol
44. Speedometer Pencil Gear
----------------------------------------------
WILL NOT USE/replace:
Clutch safety switch & rod (neutral safety switch). Vehicle Speed Sensor (ACDelco # 213-196 for manual)?


COULDN’T FIND..YET
Harness to connect the back-up light switch to the plug connector
in the center console.
FYI:
Grade 8 bolts can take more Torque Ft/Lbs. than Grade 5, but make allowances for lubrication (10% less) & mating material (alum?). I use Gr. 8’s mainly because they will stretch less over time than Gr. 5 with the same torque applied.
Manual drive shaft, longer than the Automatic Drive shaft by <1/4”:
Larger U-joint on Transmission end and smaller U-joint on Differential end. (Automatic has the smaller u-joint on both ends)
The Manual shaft has about 1/2 to 3/4” play after installation
manual transmission crossmember , (bolt up, not welded)
{anticipating removing old crossmember for easier tranny removal}
4@ 3/8-16 x 1 1/2 & 2@ 3/8-16 x 4” + 2 nuts.
( ‘81 Assembly Manual shows same for auto & 4 speed transmissions)

(There are many clutch “brand Names” but only about 5 or 6 mfgs..ZF Sachs, Exedy, Valeo, Perfection, Luk, most are IMPORTS )
** Caution: Item #24 , an odd-ball metric bolt, may have been a SAE “American” size originally such as 3/8-16 and was tapped to a larger size. Also, beware of the “softer” casing this is going into; don’t strip!
PROM for manual tranny: 519K 8108 1008 6630 CK1911 or
GM # 1225434 (get at Standard Blue Streak)
Speedometer Pencil Gear.
 

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