Alright, so I am wanting to swap out Alice's auto 3spd for a standard. I was highly considering putting in the 200-R4 that I have, but I really want to go with a manual. I have two options that have been given to me, one of which I am highly considering.

1. World class camero T5
2. mustang T45

I really like the idea of the T5, the position would be a little closer to the seat then most would like, but would not cause any problems with shifting.

I am not looking for a drag racing trans, only something that can at least handle some quick racing when I get an itch on my foot.

What would you recommend to put that would actually fit with easy conversions? I am pretty set on putting in a manual, but need to know what would work, and how much/what i would need to do it.

thank you

 

Your biggest problem is that your engine won't have the crank drilled for a pilot bearing. Olds did not drill the cranks on engines that came from the factory with an AT. There are ways around this, use SEARCH.

The T45 has an integral, Ford-pattern bellhousing. You'll be hard pressed to bolt it to an Olds motor. There IS an adapter plate that replaces the integral bellhousing, but it costs about $600 for the plate alone.

The best T5 in the world is rated at 300 ft-lbs. In my book it defeats the purpose of converting to a manual trans if you have to drive with an eggshell under that gas pedal.

The CamAro T5 is installed at an angle in the car, which means that the shifter is similarly angled. You can swap the tailhousing pretty easily to get around this. By the early 1990s, GM changed to using a T5 with the Ford bolt pattern at the front. The '581 bellhousing actually has both the Muncie and Ford bolt patterns, since the Dearborn toploader three speed was a factory option in the 1960s. I think the input shaft may still be too long, however, requiring a spacer.