1968 dodge charger auto to manual conversion

[OSMojo]

Dear all there's an auto I like the look of. But it's auto, I really want a manual. Is a conversion to manual an expensive thing to do? Am I better off just sticking to the manual search ? And forgetting autos.

 

[BeepBeepRR]

Depends on the engine.. Some of the cranks were not drilled for a pilot bearing. So to do a manual conversion one would need the crank to be drilled for that bearing. other than that its just parts. clutch pedal assembly, transmission, Bellhousing, clutch clutch fork, floor hump welded in, Shifter etc etc.. stick to a real manual car its would be hard to source all these parts.

 

[WP29440SE]

there are basically complete packages available for 2500 or so. the actual install isn't all that difficult if you are mechanically inclined

 

[hunt2elk]

I just did the conversion on my 69 Bee. Talked to Wayne at Brewers and he puts together a list of absolutely everything needed. Closer to 5k than $2500 though if you are buying everything new. I used his quote and shopped around to save some cash. Like stated above, make sure your crank is drilled before buying any parts.

 

[747mopar]

Really sucks that the one thing that determines how easily it can be done is something you cannot confirm without removing the trans. I did the swap on mine, nothing to major.

I just did the conversion on my 69 Bee. Talked to Wayne at Brewers and he puts together a list of absolutely everything needed. Closer to 5k than $2500 though if you are buying everything new. I used his quote and shopped around to save some cash. Like stated above, make sure your crank is drilled before buying any parts.

What do you get for $5,000? Sounds horrifically high unless your getting a transmission too.

 

[NJRR]

I converted my 70 RR to a 4 speed. I sourced parts for at least a year to save money. I didn't have the skill set to do the conversion myself so I had to pay for that too. All in I was almost $6k, with a date correct rebuilt 4 speed from Jamie Passon ( who did the install for me too- excellent job).
Is your car a column or console automatic ( need to convert the steering column?) = more money.

 

[NJRR]

Really sucks that the one thing that determines how easily it can be done is something you cannot confirm without removing the trans. I did the swap on mine, nothing to major.

What do you get for $5,000? Sounds horrifically high unless your getting a transmission too.

For $5k, yes it would probably include a rebuilt trans. As for the crank, they make an adapter bearing that inserts into the non-drilled crank. Depending on the crank, the input shaft on the trans sometimes has to be cut/shortened to use the adapter. Brewers and Passon both sell them.

 

[hunt2elk]

What do you get for $5,000? Sounds horrifically high unless your getting a transmission too.

Yeah, absolutely everything. Trans, bell housing, clutch, 4-speed carpet, dash light, wire harness, shifter, stick, knob, z-bar, clutch fork, pedal assembly, and more. You get the picture, it all adds up.

 

[OSMojo]

Thanks for the replies. Awesome knowledge on here. The shifter is on the console not on the tree. I am in uk so hopefully the ball park figures are similar here for the work, the kit I would import from USA as we won't have such a kit here.

 

[watermelon]

making sure the crank is drilled? i have not seen this referenced before. ive seen reference to pilot bearing adapters but no drilling of crankshafts.

i have been looking at silver sport t56 or tremecs install docs for an auto-to-manual conversion in my 66.

wouldnt be fun to start then have to stop project


watermelon

 

[biomedtechguy]

Brewers and Passon
The only 2 names you need to know for everything you need.
If you are shopping for a car, I would say shop for the best CAR, and if it turns out to be an auto trans car, consider that in your cost evaluation.
I wouldn't have anything BUT a 3 pedal car to fill the niche that my Roadrunner occupies. For me, even with some wear and tear/age related physical pains that are exacerbated by a heavy clutch pedal, I have exponentially MORE fun that I otherwise would when I'm rowing the gears. When you learn how to power shift a 6bbl (using the clutch, but shifting without lifting off the gas) and do that successfully....well I'll just say my time slips got a lot better, and the smile would have to be surgically removed.
Shifting a strong, well put together manual transmission behind a high output V-8 is the heart and soul of driving, and further intertwines the driver with the machine!

 

[OSMojo]

Brewers and Passon
The only 2 names you need to know for everything you need.
If you are shopping for a car, I would say shop for the best CAR, and if it turns out to be an auto trans car, consider that in your cost evaluation.
I wouldn't have anything BUT a 3 pedal car to fill the niche that my Roadrunner occupies. For me, even with some wear and tear/age related physical pains that are exacerbated by a heavy clutch pedal, I have exponentially MORE fun that I otherwise would when I'm rowing the gears. When you learn how to power shift a 6bbl (using the clutch, but shifting without lifting off the gas) and do that successfully....well I'll just say my time slips got a lot better, and the smile would have to be surgically removed.
Shifting a strong, well put together manual transmission behind a high output V-8 is the heart and soul of driving, and further intertwines the driver with the machine!

I agree. I own a Lamborghini Diablo and a Diablo Sv all manual 500 plus horsepower v12 to the rear wheels. Thing is I can't rag them as I want to as theyre also investments. So that's why I am going after a manual charger or the conversion. There is nothing like that raw power and thrills of changing gear, and I just love the American b body muscle cars.

 

[biomedtechguy]

There is nothing like that raw power and thrills of changing gear

Not to mention the infinity variable stall speed...
Let me put it another way...
Would this car have an automatic transmission?

 

[biomedtechguy]

For some reason
"I put it in "D"....
the transmission chooses for me"...
doesn't seem like an appropriate verse in "Red Barchetta"

 

[OSMojo]

For some reason
"I put it in "D"....
the transmission chooses for me"...
doesn't seem like an appropriate verse in "Red Barchetta"

Ha yeah not quite the same.

 

[vintage chromoly]

Just converted mine last year.
If you want new / rebuilt parts
and an 18 spline gear box, you will be at 6,500 in parts.

 

[747mopar]

Yeah, absolutely everything. Trans, bell housing, clutch, 4-speed carpet, dash light, wire harness, shifter, stick, knob, z-bar, clutch fork, pedal assembly, and more. You get the picture, it all adds up.

That doesn't sound so bad knowing it includes the transmission and everything else to go with it.

 

[OSMojo]

Excuse my

Just converted mine last year.
If you want new / rebuilt parts
and an 18 spline gear box, you will be at 6,500 in parts.

Rookie question. What is an18 spline gearbox?

 

[OSMojo]

That doesn't sound so bad knowing it includes the transmission and everything else to go with it.

Agreed, listening to the ball parks in the replies I think it is a very viable option.

 

[biomedtechguy]

Rookie question. What is an18 spline gearbox?

Gearbox = Transmission
18 spline and 23 spline input shaft designs. The "Hemi 4 speed" is the 18 spline, which 440 6bbl engines also got, and it is the stronger of the 2 spline designs.