perple76.. where did you come about getting a tremec 6 speed? junk yards want 1,500 and new they are about 2,500. as much as i really want one. it and all of the parts that are needed to convert auto to manual are just a big expence. plus i would need some kind of bracket to change it over to B.O.P bolt pattern.
Wish I had some insider's secret on that one, but in the end I just had to come up with the cash.
I am not a big fan of junkyard and/or used transmissions at all. With Muncie 4 speeds you have little choice, because all that's out there are either used or rebuilt, but with the Tremecs you have the option of going brand new, and that's what I recommend.
You have run into the same scenario that I did - a "good" used one from the junkyard runs $1500+, and then you get to figure out whether or not the previous owner was a leadfoot as well as how good he was with a stick. I decided that this project was too extensive to go with someone else's junk, so I bought a new one. And yes, $2500 sounds about right.
Here's another thing to think about. There are a blue million different kinds of T-56s out there - vipers, corvettes, cobra mustangs, LS engines, LT-1 engines, you name it. Different input shafts, different tail shafts, different gear ratios, splines, etc. I think it's pretty hard to tell one type of T-56 from another, and this conversion is hard enough as it is. I decided to consult with an expert to make sure, at the very least, that I got off on the right foot with having the correct transmission for my application.
In my case, I went with the "aftermarket" version of the T-56, which comes with the .62 sixth gear. It also comes out of the box set up for an old-style gear driven speedometer, which I love. Mine also came with an adapter plate drilled to mate it directly to my (stock) aluminum bellhousing. I was also able to use my stock clutchfork, throwout bearing, and pedal assembly.
The "major" mods involved in putting in the T-56:
1. Significant cuts on the floorpan and construction of new transmission tunnel
2. New 26 spline clutch (I went with a Centerforce D/F - 11")
3. Shortening of the driveshaft (done at a local shop for about $100)
4. Fabrication of the crossmember - I used a TH350 transmission crossmember, cut off the mouting tab and re-positioned it. Relocated it back a few inches and it works like magic.
5. Reverse lockout - I purchased a hurst 6spd ball with a thumb button that we wired directly into the lockout. The thumb button activates the lockout, so I don't have any extra switches in the dash or console.
So, give or take, I have $2500 in the tranny, $300 in the clutch, $45 in the pilot bearing, $100 in the driveshaft, $60 in the shifter ball, and probably $60 in welding supplies and sheet metal. Roughly a grand total of $3100. Everything else I already had.
There are plenty of posts on this forum about the difficulty involved in putting a manual transmission in an automatic car. I'll save those discussions for others on the forum who are more knowledgeable about the nuances of this part of the conversion.
All that having been said, it's probably the best upgrade I could have done on this car, and would spend the money all over again if needed. The Tremec works flawlessly, really suits my driving style, and of course obviously will improve gas mileage and durability of the engine, just from pure RPM reduction.
I love the Muncie 4 speed, and have installed them in several of our hotrods over the years, but honestly shifting a Muncie is kinda like shifting a Mack truck compared the T-56.
If you are even slightly leaning this direction, I HIGHLY recommend going for it. Once you get it all straightened out, you'll be glad you endured the headaches (and the finances) of the swap.
I have tons of pics of my swap. Let me know if you want to see anything specific.
J
