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Automatic to manual transmission swap

akdoc

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May 6, 2014
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For my '72 Plymouth Satellite, I plan to swap my a904 to a manual transmission. I am trying to weigh my options. It looks like no matter which transmission I choose, I'll have to modify the transmission tunnel to make it fit. Brewer Performance has a complete kit to add the A833, both OD or close ratio. Passon Performance does also, but has a wider selection of gear ratios and has what they call an A855 5-speed. Tremec is also an option in 5 and 6 speed form. I have also found a reasonably priced Getrag360 5 speed rebuilt through spprecision.com. They also have a NV4500.
All that being said... Has anyone done a swap like this? Are there any I should stay away from? Thanks for your input!
- Paul
 
Think you'll wait a long time for a 855-5. Think that trans has a waiting list.
 
Think you'll wait a long time for a 855-5. Think that trans has a waiting list.
I did hear that. I've been waiting for over a week so far, just for a reply to my e-mail asking for a quote.
 
If you are going to suck up the expense of changing make sure you go to a 5 speed with overdrive to make it worth it.
 
Yikes. I looked up the gear ratios for the NV4500 on Allpar. A 5.61 first gear would be worthless! Guess that one's out.
 
I would stay away from any kind of racing gearbox (straight cut gears) or even one out of a race car.
Those guys only sell stuff that is nearly f*****d usually.
 
Curious why you would have to modify the hump if you go with an A833? Just weld on an AMD hump and cut the hole like the factory would have.
 
Curious why you would have to modify the hump if you go with an A833? Just weld on an AMD hump and cut the hole like the factory would have.
I was wondering the same thing, all you need is the 4spd hump if you go A833.
 
That is the tunnel modification I was talking about. The sheet metal for the hump comes in the kit from Brewer, but I'm not sure if it's included in the Passon kit. I could also go with an Auto Metal Direct one too if I decided to go with one of the other transmission options. I looked at the various truck manual transmission options and the first gear is basically useless in all of them except the NV3500. I have a 2.71 stock rear and they are still way too low geared to be useful. So, it looks like my options are A-833, A833 OD, Tremec, or NV3500. At least that narrowed it down from this morning.
 
So, you are trying to match a trans to your rear end? I think I would kind of think I would figure what is the best trans for me (cost, reputation, ease of install, etc.) and then figure out what would be the best complimentary rear end gear ratio.
 
Pretty sure you will be doing a lot more cutting/modifying to the tunnel and transmission crossmember than just adding a hump if you use anything other than the 833.
 
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