Automatic to manual transmission swap

[akdoc]

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

 

[Fran Blacker]

Think you'll wait a long time for a 855-5. Think that trans has a waiting list.

 

[akdoc]

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.

 

[steve340]

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.

 

[akdoc]

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.

 

[Fran Blacker]

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.

You could run a 2.76 to 1 rear.

 

[steve340]

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.

 

[hunt2elk]

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.

 

[70chall440]

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.

 

[akdoc]

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.

 

[akdoc]

You could run a 2.76 to 1 rear.

I currently have a 2.71

 

[70chall440]

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.

 

[hunt2elk]

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.

 

[mopar 3 B]

With 2:76 gears and a small block what need is there for overdrive?