Five speed for '79 TA

[Philo]

I am thinking about going with a Tremec five speed to get the (interstate) RPM down to a reasonable number. I have a '79 400/4speed. What do you guys think, and are there any gotcha's with doing this swap? Here is a URL I have been looking at:

http://www.5speedtransmissions.com/gm_3550_package.html

I would be going with the 600 ft. lbs. style, since I may do some engine swapping later.

Let me know what you think.
Thanks.

[volkerc]

Originally Posted by Philo

I am thinking about going with a Tremec five speed to get the (interstate) RPM down to a reasonable number. I have a '79 400/4speed. What do you guys think, and are there any gotcha's with doing this swap? Here is a URL I have been looking at:

http://www.5speedtransmissions.com/gm_3550_package.html

I would be going with the 600 ft. lbs. style, since I may do some engine swapping later.

Let me know what you think.
Thanks.

You HAVE a 400/4 speed 79 !?? If it is original and matching numbers, you'd be crazy to swap or alter the car in any way! If it is not , go right ahead. But if it is I'd stay away from it, just check how many of those they produced, in the last year for the 400!

[tuske427]

Originally Posted by Philo

I am thinking about going with a Tremec five speed to get the (interstate) RPM down to a reasonable number. I have a '79 400/4speed. What do you guys think, and are there any gotcha's with doing this swap? Here is a URL I have been looking at:

http://www.5speedtransmissions.com/gm_3550_package.html

I would be going with the 600 ft. lbs. style, since I may do some engine swapping later.

Let me know what you think.
Thanks.

It's your car, do with it as you see fit. They made more F-Body Pontiac's in '79 than any other year. If you drive it, and plan on keeping it, go for it! Enjoy it. That's what these cars were built for. If you bought this thing as an investment to one day turn around and resell, then I'd consider leaving it original as this will usually bring in the most $$ for it.

But, in the end, it's your car. You know better than anyone else what your intentions are with it. I think this will tell you what to do.

Besides, there are already plenty of museum cars out there and what fun are those? They sit and collect dust.

good luck!

[custom mccannix]

as said before it is your car but if you want the best of both worlds it is actually better if you yank that tranny and use something else to keep the miles off the original if it is and having two trannies will actually raise the value. plus the 5-speed will put less stress on the engine and make it last longer. i didn't see any mods like cutting the driveshaft or anything like that but double check to make sure that the floor openning is large enough and the speedo cable is long enough as well as the drive shaft being the correct length and having the correct yoke and splines. also make sure that the crossmember will not have to be change or modified. have fun and good luck

[Philo]

Originally Posted by volkerc

You HAVE a 400/4 speed 79 !?? If it is original and matching numbers, you'd be crazy to swap or alter the car in any way! If it is not , go right ahead. But if it is I'd stay away from it, just check how many of those they produced, in the last year for the 400!

Yes, it is a 400/4 speed. It is numbers matching. And it has other options/missing options that make it more rare than some (no T-tops for instance). But you must know that it is also the lowest valued of all the TA years up through '79. This car was about 2400 produced, equipment wise, but not considering color.

The changes will not make the car worth less for two reasons. First, I would be keeping all of the original parts, and second there are only two mods needed to make the change from what the manufacturer/sales company is saying - two holes in the transmission crossmember mounting points, and some minor trimming around the shifter entrance point. The other changes (driveshaft) would be buy a new one, keep the old one.

I was actually asking about mechanical stuff, not about the concept.
But I have thought about the concept as well, which is why I would be keeping all old parts and they would go with the car if it was sold (not likely).

[volkerc]

Originally Posted by Philo

Yes, it is a 400/4 speed. It is numbers matching. And it has other options/missing options that make it more rare than some (no T-tops for instance). But you must know that it is also the lowest valued of all the TA years up through '79. This car was about 2400 produced, equipment wise, but not considering color.

The changes will not make the car worth less for two reasons. First, I would be keeping all of the original parts, and second there are only two mods needed to make the change from what the manufacturer/sales company is saying - two holes in the transmission crossmember mounting points, and some minor trimming around the shifter entrance point. The other changes (driveshaft) would be buy a new one, keep the old one.

I was actually asking about mechanical stuff, not about the concept.
But I have thought about the concept as well, which is why I would be keeping all old parts and they would go with the car if it was sold (not likely).

Don't get me wrong, I agree with the other member, It is your car, you can do whatever you want to do, I'm just saying I would not do anything, to it other than maintain it, I'd rather buy a $1000 Bird and modify as I want to, now that you are just said that it is numbers matching, I would really stay away from any mods at all. See you are saying they build 2400 that year, that of course goes for the manual tranny in combination with the 400 which was kept over from 78 in order to put a few into 79 cars. If it were my car I wouldn't even drill holes in it that they don't belong in there. You also did your research and know how many cars had been produced, so you know your car has some value to it, and don't forget not all 2400 cars are left from what they build... but go right ahead rip it apart, it is your car...