Good Transmission?

[79Bandit]

Hey guys whats a good manual transmission for my 79 trans am ... i currently have the th-400 wich i belive is one of the best automatic transmissions for my aplication other than it only being a three speed kills on gas milage great on racing. but i miss driving a manual and would like to switch out to a 4 speed manual while i have the engine out and the transmission just sitting there any ideas?

[79Bandit]

hmmm soo there are no transmission eh...i see how it is and i thaught you guys were my friends!!! lol

[ikeyballz]

hmm.i dont know much about 2nd gen cars.. but i think the 1974 firebird came with the 'muncie four speed' which was supposedly pretty good at handling lots of power.. if youre gonna build the engine right

[mcbeefer]

How much are you looking at spending?
Heres a site to get you started, http://www.tremec.com/English/products/tremec.asp
they make the kits to fit the tko trannys in to the second generation firebirds but they are rather pricey (I was checking into it for my 79)
if you are really looking at putting in a manual id probly look into the 4 speed muncie.
your best and easiest bet would be to find a donor firebird or camaro that has all the nessary parts.

[79Bandit]

whats the extra cost and effort im looking at in converting a automatic to a manual?

[ikeyballz]

actually, theres a bunch you have to do.. since you need to put all the clutch lines and stuff..unless you have a doner TA thats stick..it will be hard.

[MrPbody]

The donor car is a must. There are no "lines" for the clutch. It's mechanical linkage. You'll need the bellcrank, clutch rod, pedal assembly (brake pedal is smaller than auto) and the correct console "box".

You'll also need the correct shifter, as F-bodies have different "tunnel" and mounting points than the A-body.

IMO, the best way to attack it would be to find a '78-'81 T/A or Z-28 with all the parts still in it, including the Borg Warner ST-10 that came in it. Tough trans. Fits.

Tremec trans missions are convenient, and for the lower level performance (read:small block) engines, tough enough. Don't even THINK about using one behind a 500-plus HP Pontiac. The torque will tear it up toot-sweet. The T-9 is advertised to be up to 600 HP and 650 lb. ft. A a strong 400 Pontiac will be pushing that limit right from the start. No room to "grow".

Muncies are the legendary muscle car transmissions. We've learned the hard way, over the last few years, they too, are NOT up to the rigors of a modern performance car. If the car's NEVER drag raced, and only occasionally pounded on, it will have a fighting chance. M-22 (TH-400 output shaft splines) is considered the toughest one. If you were lucky enough to trip over an M-37 (large input shaft, too), you would have the ONE Muncie that was used by factory racers, known as "Rock Crusher" (contrary to popular myth, not ALL Muncies are "Rock Crushers"). M-37 was sold ONLY in '67 Corvette ZL-1 cars (about 500 made). The M-37 sold well "over the counter" for drag racers. It's easiely identified by the 1 1/4" input (main drive gear) shaft and the "spur-cut" first gear (straight teeth rather than the curved "helical" cut). This is where the nickname came from. During accelleration in 1st, it made a horrendous whine.

Jim

[79Bandit]

well in that case and since i have never fiddled with it ... i probally just keep it an automatic and buy another t/a already manual and fix it up..thanks though for all your help glad to see ya mrpbody back in the fbird section