Anyone Have a 5 Speed Trans in Their Nova?

Hi guys! Just wondering if anyone had a 5 speed trans in their Nova? Been considering changing my Saginaw 3 speed to a Automatic or maybe a 5 speed from a Camaro...any idea? What all would it take to put a 5 speed in one? Anyone done it?

I know many on this forum have done this. I installed a TKO 600 last winter in my 72. Had to cut the tunnel and fab a new panel so it clears the new tranny. I think it is probably the single best improvement I have done to the car thus far. I bought my kit from Classic Chevy 5 Speed. Nice guys. I'm sure others will chime in on thieir conversions too.

Dave

I also wanted to install a 5 speed, I have T5 from 88 camaro and got as far as the tunnel work and stoped. any ideals! or did I just stop to soon.

What part of east tenn are you in?

I just put a keisler tko 500 in my 76 ss, with 323 rear gears. Best mod I have made to date.

Of which OEM's work, and parts needed to change over?

Spend the $ on a decent tranny. I have the Non-World Class T5 in mine and have had issues. The World class will stand up to some minor abuse but to not have any problems, get a Tremec. I have beat this issue to death over the last while and am in the middle of getting a TKO 600. I suppose it debatable( however you spell that) but the Tremec WILL take a S*(# kicking! Internal rail shift mechanism make alot of difference too. No linkage to mess with. The only issue is modifiying the tunnel.

Just my 2 cents:yes:

Todd

For sure spend the extra and get the tremec if you like to bang gears.

I see Jegs now carries the TKO500 and 600 transmission, I bet Summit will have them soon also. $1800 is a lot of jing for a transmission but the dependability and highway cruize rpm will be well worth it. A local here beat on a TKO500 for four years running 10's with a 406 Camaro and pulled it to change to a Proshifted jerico 4 speed, the used TKO fetched $1200 on resale-not bad.

Yep! I do! Mines a Richmond 5 -speed !
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n304/fastrak27/nova-interior2.jpg

I also wanted to install a 5 speed, I have T5 from 88 camaro and got as far as the tunnel work and stoped. any ideals! or did I just stop to soon.

What part of east tenn are you in?

HEY MAN! SORRY IT TOOK ME A FEW DAYS TO GET BACK TO YOU! :D
NEEDLESS TO SAY I DONT SPEND A LOT OF TIME ONLINE ANYMORE...WORKING ON COMPUTERS AT WORK 8 HOURS A DAY IS ENOUGH! HAD A FRIEND LAST WEEK PUT A 5 SPEED FROM A 89 CAMARO IN HIS 74...I DIDNT LIKE ALL THE CUTTING AND TUNNEL WORK HE HAD TO DO...JUST NOT WILLING TO CUT MINE UP. BUT AS FAR AS DRIVABILITY AFTERWARDS...MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE! IM THINKING IM GOING WITH A RICHMOND 4 SPEED. JEGS HAS THEM FOR AROUND 1600. NOT CHEAP BUT REBUILT MUNCIES ARE GOING FOR THAT NOW. BY THE WAY IM ABOUT 5 MINUTES SOUTH OF THE BRISTOL RACEWAY IN EAST TN.

I don't know why he had to do any cutting except to let the shift lever up through the floor. I put a WC-T5 in my '71 and it is great. I should say that I am NOT running a huge motor...just a moderate 383 street thug. The only real issue with a Camaro T5 is the bellhousing. I used a Lakewood 15015 and am very happy with it.

Dave

Richmond makes a 5 spd that only requires an opening or modification where the the shifter comes through the floor.It's about 2 inches further back than stock.Slickman has installed one in his 3rd gen.You can also buy a 4spd based on the muncie that has a OD for 4th gear.

Yep, I installed the Richmond Super Street 5 speed. This tranny is bullet proof.. I got the Richmond because I did not want to make all the tunnel mods for a TKO. Mind you this tranny is expensive but when you look at the ease of the installation, its a no brainer. With delivery and EVERYTHING you need to do the swap, $3200... The only thing you need to supply is the cross member. I got mine from chassis works in Calai or you can make your own.. I think a tubular TH400 cross member may work with some tweaking.

http://w2ner.net/images/Nova/5speed7.jpg

I would like to recommend Classic Chevy 5 speed as a supplier of Tremec transmissions. I purchased a TKO-600 from these guys. I had a problem with my order and they promptly corrected it......with an apology!
When I ordered my driveshaft, I even got a return call to make sure they had the order correct before the driveshaft was made & shipped.
I would do business with these guys again.