wddavis

My wife's 83 cfi z28 had a bearing go out so I pulled the disk brake rear axle from an 84 z28 parts car I have. the change from 2.93 to 3.73 rear axle messed up the speedo and the shift points went to crap. So rather then go into the 700r4(again) and change the speedo gears and the governor weights I decided that sense she likes to drive a stick and I happen to have the parts...Why not? I have already done a T56 swap in my brother's 97 Trans-am I think I can handle this on the wife's baby.
Before starting this project I searched for info on doing the swap. the tech article has been helpfulhttps://www.thirdgen.org/manualswap but I like to [B]SEE[B] what I will be in for, and I did not find many pictures, so here goes:

DAY 1
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/atta...1&d=1283050657
The intirror before starting

Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

I'll be doing the same swap here in the next little while - Just waiting on a few add'l parts.

BTW: Make sure to hang onto that shifter **** - They seem to be hot tickets on eBay.

wddavis

I started with removing the front seats and consol. wow a lot os stuff can fit under the seat of a third gen. is that an original door key?[

wddavis

I will not wast time or space with the removal of the trans, both hands were busy, so not many photos. A few note worthy items:https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/atta...1&d=1283053684 I cut the cooler lines with a tubing cutter. I figure this saved me an hour, three knuckles, and eating soap in front of the kids for the words I would have spoken. the cooler lines are difficult to get to. https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/atta...1&d=1283053688 I chose a straight section to make the cut, that way if things don't work out, I can flair the ends and use hose to reconnect the lines.
the throttle pressure cable needs to be removed from the throttle linkage https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/atta...1&d=1283053688

wddavis

Its Miller time, The trans is out https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/atta...1&d=1283054317
It is on a harbor freight trans jack. Don't bother with the one that will fit a floor jack, it is huge and does not work, spend the extra and get a real trans jack. If you are doing this on jack stands you will need to be able to tilt the trans in order to get the bell housing clear of the bottom of the car. A low profile jack would be better, but this one has served me well. https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/atta...1&d=1283054317
Tomorrow is the hard part... cutting the hole for the shifter and clutch master.

7SEALS

Thanks for the pictures, I hope you keep it up. I plan on switching from the 700r4 to the T5 within the next few weeks, so this thread will really help me out. Thank you.

wddavis

Day 2
Today is when the car goes from an auto to a 5-speed. I took some careful measuring of the parts car there is a hole in the bracket that held the rear of the center console that was also an the 83. I found that 1foot 7/2 inches (the photo is not correct, and your car/trans might be different) would be a good place for the rear of the shifter hole. and 2 feet 2 inches would be good for the front of the hole.https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/atta...1&d=1283140373

wddavis

when I got to the 83 and took measurements I noticed that the bracket that held the auto shifter in the car gave me almost perfect cutting locations.and just inside of the bend on the tunnel also looked good.

wddavis

I drilled holes at the corrners and played "connect-the-dots" with a jig saw. I recomend having several blades on hand, I broke 2 in this hole. the red is the torque arm bushing, and the cable is the shift interlock cable. the smaller hole is where the shift cable for the auto went through the floor.

wddavis

next the peddles. I removed the 2 nuts that hold the steering colloum to gain clearance to get to the 4 nuts and 1 bolt holding the brake peddle. to reach the nuts I used a long extension and mu 3/8 impact gun. if you have a battery operated gun now is the time for it.

wddavis

now that the peddle is out it is time for the clutch master cyl. when I moved the padding back I saw a plug in the firewall so after removing the brake booster, I just unbolted the master and worked the booster out, I was able to use a hammer and long screwdriver and knock the plug out. then I placed the clutch master in place and marked where to drill for the bolts.

wddavis

from here it is just a matter of installing the 5-speed parts. unfortinatlly I ran out of time today to finish the job, but the bellhousing is on, the peddles are in, clutch hyd. hooked up. Next the trans gets installed and the seats and consol go back in. I am not going to bother with pictures of the trans install, it will be just like doing a clutch job. I also will spend some time with a wiring diag and figure out how to make the computer and starter happy. don't forget the shift interlock cable on the steering column.

Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

See; that info right there is why I always read these types of posts - The pics are always useful because everyone takes different pics/angles, but most importantly, I always see/read new things. I never knew there was a knockout for the master cylinder - Always thought it was totally smooth. Maybe its a year-to-year thing and mine won't have it.

Here's to hoping!

wddavis

Well I got it done today!!!
sorry about a lack or pictures, I got so wrapped up in the doing that I stoped stopping to take a picture. I will take some after pictures and post them later.
A few things to do differently:
1: the hole in the hump is about 1 inch too far foward, I had to bend the sheet metal in order to get the trans stabbed. but the boot, consel and shifter boot make this "oops" invisable.
2: The clutch switch for the 84 pedal is no longer available, I would use a later set of pedals.
3: The starter from the auto Will Not work, fortinatly I have the parts car, so I just pulled the starter and installed it.
4: I should have gotten the fly wheel replaced, the one I used looked o.k. but in the back of my mind I know better, But I know that my wife will have me back for a new clutch before too long....She is not a bad driver, she just likes to play, and that will be hard on a stock clutch(We are planning on going to the Redding drag strip on the 25th to see what the car can do.



I have a few questions and answers:
answers to questions I have seen on other posts.
back up lights- I used the grommet from the auto cable and ran the wires through it to the rev. light switch.

shift interlock cable- I removed it just make sure the key will move properly and be able to come out. the interlock makes it so the shifter will not come out of park with the key off, it also makes it so the key cannot be removed unless the shifter is in park.

the biggest question I have is the computer, after the test drive, the car was surging in neutral I wired the rear hatch and computer wires to the park brake switch, the computer thinks the car is in park/neutral with the park brake on. when the car was surging, I pulled the park brake, and it smoothed out, the question I have is should I wire the computer wire to a clutch switch, or a brake switch, or what?

Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

Glad to hear you got it all wrapped up. I'm HOPING to have mine done tonight. I'm at the point of cutting the hole in the trans tunnel and mounting the new pedals and cutting the master cylinder hole.


[edit] My help decided to oversleep and didn't get to help me today so I'm still needing to cut the holes.
Then I get to put the trans and finish up the loose stuff.

wddavis

Well, Jennifer got a chance to drive her car today... her face was great first a look or pure fear, then a huge smile, then...I think she needed to change her underwear. The t5 really brought out the driving potential of the crossfire lu5 power plant, I think if G.M. had released the crossfire with a 5 speed then they would have never had to go to the single throttle body!!!

rwallis

I was wondering if wddavis ever got the idle or computer issue worked out and what you did to solve it? I am almost where you were and I too have an idle issue. But you are right about the T5 bringing the CFI car alive!