On Thu, 8 Jun 2000, Bernd D. Ratsch wrote:
> I did that on my old Camaro (TH350 - Muncie M22). Not a hard thing to do
> but does involve money:
>
> Crossmember, bellhousing (if applicable), clutch, pressure plate, pilot
> bushing/bearing, flywheel, linkage, slave cylinder, clutch pedal assembly,
> etc.
>
> If you can, beef up the auto (shift kit at minimum) and you'll be much
> happier in the pocket book.
>
> - Bernd
>
>
> I have a automatic transmission and i hope to drop a 360 in and a new
> tranny....is it possible to convert my auto to a manual?or would it be to
> costly?
> thanks
Like Bernd mentioned, it will be pricey. (Just the cost of the tranny
itself is a big chunk. You could buy 3 street/competition 727s for the
price of one T-56!) Wether its worth it or not depends on what you want the
truck to be, and what you're planning to use it for. Unless you're going
for a hard core autocrosser or canyon carver, you'd probably be better off
by sticking with the auto. (Or swapping a beefier auto in there.) Use
a manual valve body, and you've got most of the benefits of the stick,
but without the missed shifts and erratic acceleration. Also, if you plan
to really get on it (which I assume you are, since you want to drop in a
360), an auto should be able to handle the power better, while at the same
time, helping to protect other components like the rearend.
I used to be a die hard "manual at any cost" guy (just read through
the DML archives if ya don't believe me) :-) but I have come to realize
that an auto is simply better for certain applications. I do still
prefer a stick, but for a vehicle that is used for bracket racing, a
stick is a major liability, and just a hassle in general. Like yourself,
I too want to drop a 360 into my Dak. I plan to fab up aftercooled twin
turbos in conjunction with an aftermarket EFI system and hope to put out
over 600 reliable, daily driven HP. As a part of that goal, my current
NV3500 is going to be replaced by a prepped auto with a manual valve body
& a reverse shift pattern. Frankly, I can't wait to get this stick outta
my Dak! :-)
Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide!
-Jon-
.--- Jon Steiger ---- jon@dakota-truck.net or stei0302@cs.fredonia.edu ---.
| Affiliations: AOPA, DoD, EAA, NMA, NRA, SPA, USUA; Rec & UL Pilot - SEL |
| '92 Ram 150 4x4 V8, '96 Dakota V8, '96 Intruder 1400, '96 FireFly 447 |
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