manual installation?

[Dyno247365]

Let's say I found the perfect LT1 firebird in my area at a dealer. Say I saved money from searching for a manual because it was an automatic, all hypothetical of course...lol. How much would it cost to get a T56 installed, pedals, gearbox and where would I go for this? I have NO time to do it myself

[skibum1111]

It would be much much cheaper to simply buy a car with a manual transmission. You are talking about some serious labor to do this installation, not to mention the parts you will need like pedals, shifter, ecm needs programming, drive shaft? (ask john about that one), clutch, flywheel, maybe a starter. If its something you can do yourself, it does work to buy the car with an automatic and put a manual into it, but its not a weekend job.

[poormillionaire2]

Call your local tranny shop and get a price quote. I can't imagine something that labor-intensive to be cheap. I was quoted $500 for a header install. So for a tranny swap, you might be looking at 2-4 grand easily.

[Dyno247365]

Originally Posted by poormillionaire2

Call your local tranny shop and get a price quote. I can't imagine something that labor-intensive to be cheap. I was quoted $500 for a header install. So for a tranny swap, you might be looking at 2-4 grand easily.

If it was 2k I'd be giddy. The big problem is the LT1 is already 9k, because it only has 33k miles. Seems like a good deal, but it's still automatic.

[poormillionaire2]

That does sound like a good deal. I don't know, with only 33K miles on it, it might be worth doing a tranny swap. But it would be more cost effective to hold out for a car that already has a manual in it. Its all up to you. It might turn that car into a $13K+ car purchase though.

[FormulaLT1]

Why is everyone so anti auto nowadays, I mean don't get me wrong. I totally get the fun factor of a stick but I would prefer quickness to fun, after all how much fun is there in losing?

[Dyno247365]

Originally Posted by FormulaLT1

Why is everyone so anti auto nowadays, I mean don't get me wrong. I totally get the fun factor of a stick but I would prefer quickness to fun, after all how much fun is there in losing?

Learning not to lose but I see what you're saying. I'm going to look at it tomorrow or monday.

[FormulaLT1]

A stalled, transgo installed 4L60-E. Will show 95% of similar modded t-56's tail lights in the quarter and even in stock form you will find the auto's with similar gearing to the sticks run a click or two faster times quarter wise and light to light races. Sure peak power wise, on the windys and top speed racing (which should not be done), the stick has the advantage but we are talking about a muscle car here. They were meant for light to light races. Not the friggin Autobahn.

[Dyno247365]

Originally Posted by FormulaLT1

A stalled, transgo installed 4L60-E. Will show 95% of similar modded t-56's tail lights in the quarter and even in stock form you will find the auto's with similar gearing to the sticks run a click or two faster times quarter wise and light to light races. Sure peak power wise, on the windys and top speed racing (which should not be done), the stick has the advantage but we are talking about a muscle car here. They were meant for light to light races. Not the friggin Autobahn.

The Autobahn is a highway. I think you mean Nurburgring.

[FormulaLT1]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver_28

The Autobahn is a highway. I think you mean Nurburgring.

I said it right the first time, no need for a correction

[Dyno247365]

Alright I watched a few videos of the autobahn and there's some serious twisties, mostly off ramps. So I agree.

A lot of cars haven't been designed for motorsports and hardly any do as I understand the automotive market. I still feel more comfortable with a manual.

[poormillionaire2]

But isn't the taller gearing in the 4L60E a negative in street racing compared to the T-56? 2nd gear in the auto pulls hard, but 3rd is somewhat weak. So, any roll from about 65mph+, those narrower T-56 gears come in handy. Just my .

[FormulaLT1]

4L60-E has the advantage 1/4 wise. Its got a better first gear and second gear pulls strong. Your right with 3rd being a little mild but its in the 1/4 1st and 2nd as well as the near lack of driver error give the auto the advantage. Its the better strip tranny to have of the two IMO. Tripple digit, twisties, from rolls, those are the conditions you want the T56 but the 4L60-E has the advantage at the 1/4 or light to light.

[poormillionaire2]

Yeah, you're right about that. I look at it this way, autos for daily drivers and hardcore strip racing, everything else in between is for the 6 speed.

[Orion2247]

The automatics actually have more gearing off the line compared to the 6 speeds.