Who has converted from 727 to a manual transmission and regretted it ?

It's ironic to think about changing transmissions at a cost around DOUBLE what these cars cost new! And that doesn't count labour. Yes, 50 years have passed, but nevertheless.....

That being said, my opinion is you should GO FOR IT. I'd much rather have a manual and I will pay extra to get one. At this stage in life, with more in the rear view mirror than looking out the windshield, you should do what you want while you still can. A few bucks here or there probably won't make much difference to your life.

TKO600 in my Charger drives great. 100% prefer it to an auto.

Only thing I didn't like was the .64 overdrive so swapped it for the .82.

Around 80/81 I converted my 74 Challenger from a AT to a 4spd using parts from a donor car/s. It went in ok but completely changed how the car drove bc I was running 3.23's behind a 440 6 pack and with the 4pd the gears were too tall. Eventually I got it all sorted out with a set of 3.91's but then sold the car. I never regretted the change really but it sure was a journey.

In more recent times, I converted my 73 Cuda to a 4spd and developed my own hydraulic TB system which needs some tweaking, I am converting my 70 RR and 71 Charger both to manuals as well, additionally I am building a 70 RR for a friend and that will be a 5spd. Nothing against an AT (have one in my 70 Challenger RT) but IMO in a muscle car especially with a pistol grip; just exemplifies a muscle car.

I am in the position where the car sits too dang much. I built it to enjoy it but I don't feel the draw to drive it as much as I expected, The Camaro I had years ago was a lot more fun with the 4 speed even though the gearing wasn't optimal. It had an automatic and 3.42 gears. I swapped in a Saginaw 4 speed, a trans primarily used for 4 cylinder Vegas, straight six Novas and 307 V8 cars. First gear was 3.11, second was 2.20 or something like it.

I have 2) autos & 1) 5 speed currently

3 pedals are better than 2

I like the feeling of selecting gear, I want when I want
for a streetcar

Usually, our cars (muscle car era cars) sell better/higher as a manual trans too
edited; albeit MoPar people are really finicky about all the
data plate/fender tag & vin #'s stuff, all matching
it could hurt the resale by 25% or more, unless it's a quality professional build
& quality parts in a Pro-touring/Resto-mod setting, seems to hold their own
like someone else mentioned as the millennials grow up/future market
& get interested in these cars, possibly they may not want a manual trans
or even know how to drive them

All the kids learned to drive on a manual trans too
all my sister & brothers did too, right of passage

But;
like others mentioned it gets old fast in bumper to bumper traffic
I know I've done it most my working career

I also like the manual valvebody auto's
I've had in several of my street/strip cars
far fewer parts breakage too especially if you have 600-700+ hp

fast fun & still very connected/involved in the driving experiences

I've considered converting my current 68 RR to a manual
I'd probably go a 5-6 speed if I did
but spending cash like it grows on trees right now,
isn't in the cards
I could piece/source something together I'm sure
a kit would be the easy way out
I'm sure they are pretty well designed by now too

I had everything I needed to put a Doug Nash 5 speed in
I ended up selling it
I sort of regret it now
I'm only 61, I was a Carpenter & fabricator my whole working career
my knees & back are still fine,
even after MX motorcycles & football trying to destroy them
the older I get, the more I think about the old days, nostalgia
then I remember the actual old days & some of the novelty wears off

if it's a racer or you're the Ricky racer type,
boulevard stoplight to stoplight king, actually want to go fast
unless you have a Lenco, Jeffco, Jeriko, Nash etc. etc. etc.
an adjustable or slipper clutch etc.
then stick with the Automatic 727A Torqueflite
get a good converter, maybe add a GV OD

At this point, I'd rather spend the $$$ on
killer brakes, forged wheels, wide/better sticky tires,
better suspension/handling etc.
I live in the sticks, there's not a whole lot of open straight roads
I'm 75+ miles from the nearest Freeway
even if I find a few open stretches to do a beat run
it needs to stop & turn too

I grew up drag racing, a little sprint car racing & dirtbikes/quads
the need for speed engulfed my life, what goes the fastest,
was most important
I have changed a lot in my mentality
as I age, it's still important but not the most important

to each their own

I like to drive,
I get most of my enjoyment from touching/steering the wheel
'not the shifter or clutch pedal'
I'm torn, I love a manual trans, but the costs & the hassles
sometimes really aren't worth it either
most all my street/strip muscle cars were manuals too
my racecars were also, but a completely different animal
they are not anything like the DD 4-5-6 speed

I don't mind manually shifting an automatic either

Why are we still talking about this?
Skip the 5 speed go 6 speed !
You will thank yourself and when you get old and can't shift stuff a auto back in
The hyd clutch setups are amazing!

I have no interest in chopping out the trans tunnel to fit a 6 speed in this car. Also, the .50 overdrive is great for smooth running, stock type engines. I like a bit more rumble that a bigger cam provides. Running down the road at 1500 rpms is well below the point of efficiency
of an old school big block and wouldn't get any better mileage than rolling at 2000 rpms.

I know we're talking auto vs stick here and I agree - I used to drive a 67 Impala SS with stock munci 4 speed backed by a 327 small block. That thing was a blast to drive especially hammering 2nd and 3rd. However, there are much more fun automatics to drive than the 727. Talk to John and ask him about his 68 Barracuda with the GM 200R4. It gives you a lower geared 1st as well as overdrive. Only very minor tunnel surgery required. His car is a beast and based on my own 2 hrs of seat time it is much more enjoyable than the 727 in my 68 Sport Satellite. I've been thinking about the 200R4 conversion myself...

Some have mentioned clutches and bad knees. I know exactly the feel of a stiff Borg & Beck. I put a Centerforce dual Friction , not even a 11", in my 64 Dodge B body, 440 engine at about 425 HP. 3:55 rear gears. Soft Nitto street-strip tires. The clutch was so easy , I mean maybe easier than a stock Chevy diaphram clutch. I used all correct stock clutch linkage. So easy on the pedal pressure , I thought no way this isn't going to slip. It didn't--at all. I don't know how many HP it would take to make it slip............................MO

Reality... you only have to push that pedal to get going!

this thread is goin on too long...you need to buy Kern

you probably dont need to drag it out a year like i did



https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/tko-500-install-1966-coronet-sst-kit.180010/


watermelon

I want to sell THIS to pay for it:

100% ditch the automatic. Get a good b&b clutch from Ram. I like the Powergrip series. Powergrip HD if you man up and add some nitrous. : D

I say go for the swap . Like you I bought a complete 4 speed conversion and I mean everything from zbar to every bolt in perfectly working order for $1000 for a Chevrolet Chevelle 20 years ago .
I just got a new ride it has a 6 speed and is a blast still .
The Chargers a 4 spd and also fun .

DO IT .

50+ responses and nobody has actually answered your question. The votes are in and no need for a recount.
When you get set to swap tranny's, let me know I'll be glad to lend a hand.

I converted my 70 FC7 RR, 383, to a 4 speed, pistol grip. It changed the driving experience for me. With the 727 and 323 gears, you just didn't get pinned to the seat on accelerating like I did with the 4 speed. And the look of the pistol grip shifter is totally badass !!!!! It cost me about $4k including installation by Jamie Passon, using one of his rebuilt, date correct A833's. I sourced most of the other parts myself and then I recouped some of the cost selling the 727, the console which I eliminated, and various other 727 parts. Well worth the investment and I believe it helped me get the price I did when I sold the car.

Kern Dog said:

I have no interest in chopping out the trans tunnel to fit a 6 speed in this car. Also, the .50 overdrive is great for smooth running, stock type engines. I like a bit more rumble that a bigger cam provides. Running down the road at 1500 rpms is well below the point of efficiency
of an old school big block and wouldn't get any better mileage than rolling at 2000 rpms.

Click to expand...

I think a 5 speed would be perfect myself. Mine being a Viper 6 speed with a ridiculous 6th ratio (.5) I'm mostly in 5th, 6th is reserved for 80mph freeway cruising and I'm still under 2,000rpm. The main reason I went with the 6 speed is for the shifting, the TKO600 I had shifted terrible, much like a truck transmission where trying to speed shift was met with a lengthy forced pause. I think they've fixed that issue but I'd definitely check into it.

For final Jeopardy on the OP's question.. .. .NOBODY !