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have an auto thinking over converting to a manual

james133

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I have 1969 charger 440 non # matching currently going threw restoration
wanted to convert to a a manual anybody gone threw this process, the resto shop has suggested 6spd with overdrive instead of a 4 speed . I have been driving sticks for years currently drive a manual as my daily driver and if you guys have and links were to buy the parts what set up that would be awesome
 
Will this be a toy only? You will hate manual in stop and go traffic...
I would go 6 speed over 4 speed if i did.
 
Done this several times. Pretty easy job. Only challenge is parts. If it’s a non-console car it’s easier. Pedals are usually the largest nuisance both sourcing and installation. Need a little welding for the z bar bracket and floor hump.

This is truly one of those “the eye of the beholder” things. Some people want them, some don’t care. I used to care but not so much any more.
 
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I did a TKO 600 in my wagon. It was a stick car to begin with so a little easier on the wallet. It made it much more fun to drive and better on the Interstate with less wear and tear. I dont see the need for a double overdrive unless you are going to Banzi over 100.
 
I changed my 1-of-0 1967 Coronet R/T wagon from automatic to 4-speed in the mid-'90's. I found a 4-speed hump and pedals in a junkyard Roadrunner. I got a 4-speed trans complete with non-console Inland shifter at Mopar Nats. I think all the Z-bar bits and pieces came from Year One. It was neat to have a 4-speed wagon at car shows. Since 4-speed cars just sound different than automatics, I usually had a small bunch of interested folks gathered by the time I got backed into a show spot. I made the mistake of taking the wagon across the border to Port Huron, MI annual summer cruise night; something like a mini Woodward Ave. cruise. After an evening of stop and go cruising, my clutch leg was throbbing. One other time, I swapped the 3.55's for 2.94's, added a cruise control setup from a Cordoba, and our family took it on a vacation to visit family in Tifton, Georgia.

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Will this be a toy only? You will hate manual in stop and go traffic...
I would go 6 speed over 4 speed if i did.
No you won’t I just cobverted to manual and love it
Glad I did
 
I don't see a price but it would be worth a call. Brewer is a great place and they know their stuff.
http://www.brewersperformance.com/proddetail.php?prod=CONV-B
It’s like 8k at brewers I went with Norma half the price and got everything except TGIF carpet, the reverse light and drive shaft
If I had to do it again I’d go to norms again

brewers is nice but too expensive no need to pay double for the same parts quality is there from both sources
 
It’s like 8k at brewers I went with Norma half the price and got everything except TGIF carpet, the reverse light and drive shaft
If I had to do it again I’d go to norms again

brewers is nice but too expensive no need to pay double for the same parts quality is there from both sources

Who is Norma?
 
No you won’t I just cobverted to manual and love it
Glad I did

I personally would not want a manual transmission in my daily driver.

Edit:

Cant really eat or drink something while driving or use a phone because you constantly have to shift.
Especially in stop and go traffic you constantly have to use the clutch / shift gears. Do this for an hour non stop and you had a nice workout.

Get going on a hill is also a bit tricky. I always use the parking brake to make sure i do not roll backwards... :D
 
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If you're driving a stick daily you should have no issues driving a converted 4spd Mopar. 3 or 4 shift cycles you'll have it down.

....Cant really eat or drink something while driving or use a phone because you constantly have to shift...
Lol, they don't like that in a lot of the states but it is done constantly.
 
I like overdrive transmissions manual or automatic in the older cars. Most non-original versions will need some modification to the transmission rear support and torsen bar crossmember. Trans tunnel might be OK for some, with just needing to cut hole for shifter. Other transmissions that are much wider will need a wider trans tunnel.
I don't know if getting the manual clutch/brake pedal assembly is difficult or if they are made aftermarket also? You can do hydraulic or manual throw-out bearing, so really not a big deal. All the different parts can add up to a pricy conversion.
Might check with Silver Sport Transmission for conversion kits.
Looks like they have a new compact size Tremec "TKX" 5-speed that might make installation easier?
I get info from them because they took over the sales/service for the Legend Gear and Transmission LGT-700 5-speed transmission the Keisler was selling before going out of business.
 
I love my 4 spd,last owner sold me the Bee because he was getting older and didnt want to shift anymore. Something to think about.
 
“Anytime you toss an automatic into the trash and install a manual, an angel gets its wings and the world is a better place.”

Anonymous posting on a brand X site.
 
Cant really eat or drink something while driving or use a phone because you constantly have to shift.
Especially in stop and go traffic you constantly have to use the clutch / shift gears. Do this for an hour non stop and you had a nice workout.

Get going on a hill is also a bit tricky. I always use the parking brake to make sure i do not roll backwards... :D
In the good old says I could reach back and get a 10 ounce Pepsi bottle from the crate in the back seat well, open the top, take a swig, get the 26 ounce bottle of rum out of the drivers vent stack, pour it into the Pepsi and put the rum bottle back. All while driving and shifting gears....
 
I'm a ways off of doing my own, but have been doing some research. I got a quote from American Powertrain for a TKX 5-speed, hyd throwout bearing, manual pedal assembly, shifter, clutch, clutch master cyl, bellhousing, fluids and everything for $7k. All name-brand stuff, too.
 
For me, it was money well spent. I love how it turned out for me. 6 speed? Nah....Anyone with any kind of camshaft will see the .50 6th gear as unusable since the final drive will be so tall, 70 mph would likely put you well under the engine's operating range. The 6 speed is physically taller necessitating more extensive floor cutting.
As Watermelon linked.....
https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/mopa...-5-speed-conversion-in-a-1970-charger.209725/

That is my thread about it.
I really enjoy the car with the 5 speed. My kit cost under $6000 plus a few dollars spent on other things.
 
I've got 4-speeds in all my cars and love them. Get ahold of Brewers and they will put together a quote for absolutely every part you will need. You can buy everything from them or piece the kit together by shopping around. A 5 speed would be nice as well. Was going to tell you to look up Kern Dog's recent thread on his conversion, but see he posted the link above. He did a nice writeup on what has to be done.
 
I personally would not want a manual transmission in my daily driver.

Edit:

Cant really eat or drink something while driving or use a phone because you constantly have to shift.
Especially in stop and go traffic you constantly have to use the clutch / shift gears. Do this for an hour non stop and you had a nice workout.

Get going on a hill is also a bit tricky. I always use the parking brake to make sure i do not roll backwards... :D
Lol thats a standard transmission.
 
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