devinj2233

Im in the process of putting a new 383 stroker motor and a 4 speed saginaw transmission out of a 69 camaro z28 in my 86 iroc z camaro. how much adjustment will i have to do to the shifter. also how will the transmission mount match up?

eseibel67

Not sure about the shifter hole or the crossmember mount, but the torque arm is going to be a problem unless you are going with a different rear suspension linkage.

devinj2233

i appreciate the reply. What kind of problem is the torque arm going to give me?

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

Not sure what you ACTUALLY have, since the Saggy 4-spd didn't come in 69 Z28s, which ALL came with Muncies, it only came in 6-cyl cars and the like at that time; of course it could have "come out of" a 69 Z28, like some heads I know somebody bought one time as "out of a Vette", and when my friend got there the seller went out to a derelict Vette body out in his back 40 and took em out of the back seat floorboard, and apparently didn't think he had violated any ethics by claiming they were "out of a Vette" when the buyer had actually watched him take em "out of a Vette"; but all that aside...

The torque arm is the piece that holds the rear end from rotating. It attaches to the transmission. The trans needs the place on it for its mount to bolt to. The only transmissions that have that, are ones out of these cars.

There are ways to attach it to the crossmember instead, and complete replacement systems with a different TA and crossmember together to eliminate its mount on the trans. But one way or another, you'll have to deal with it. The car won't work without it.

If you have the right shifter, it will take the standard amount of adjusting; take the rods off the arms, shift all the arms into neutral, stick a ¼" drill bit in the hole, adjust the end pieces on the rods until they go into the arms, put the clips back in.

A Saggy will probably last about halfway around the block of your first test drive, if you go easy on it. If you get real enthusiastic, it'll turn to shrapnel the first time you let out the clutch at teh bottom of your driveway. Don't invest too much time or effort into it as you'll be right back in there again real soon, putting something decent in it instead.

devinj2233

thanks again. the first tranny that was in the 69 camaro was a muncie but he changed it to the saginaw when he had the new motor put in. ill check the torque arm and see what happends.

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

That would explain that.... it's not "out of a 69 Z28", it's "been in a 69 Z28 for a little while".

Big difference.

Poor car. I'd have opened my veins before downgrading a car like that in such a ... sodomizing ... kind of way. That's just RONG.

devinj2233

i also have another problem you may be able to help me with. the bellhousing on the 383 is set up for a manual clutch and my iroc z is set up with a slave cylinder for a hydraulic clutch. if i get a bellhousing off a 350 that has the mounting bracket for the slave cylinder will my slave cylinder be powerful enough to push the clutch system on the 383?

devinj2233

my only other option is to convert my iroc to a manual clutch system and i have no idea how to do that.

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

There's no such bell housing; GM never put 5-speeds behind 350s. (in cars that is)

To convert to the old crappy linkage system, you'll need the linkage (duh) and the pedal assy. Only year that it can come out of is 82 or 83, as 84-up had hydraulics.

The BH off of a 305 w hydraulics (84 up) will rotate the trans 18° toward the driver's side. Don't think the Saggy will work with that.

Frankly I'm just not seeing where this is a very good idea... jump through no telling what kind of hoops to put a crap transmission in a car that will just shred it in short order anyway. A MUCH smarter plan would be a 94-97 F body T-56.

devinj2233

what about putting a 6 speed off a newer z28 with the 350 i have?

devinj2233

i ment 383 not 350

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

Jupiter

iTrader: (1)

Hmm, where to start...

Ok so i happen to have an original 4 speed BW T10 1982 Trans Am. First off, i haven't been able to break my little t10 with a 450hp 383 and, believe me i have tried. I have recently converted the clutch to hydraulic because well, mechanical clutch SUCKS. In order to install a mechanical clutch in your 86 fbody you will need the frame zbar mount and the ball stud that goes on the motor. You will need the pedal assembly and the rest of the linkage and spring. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. So what i have done is removed ALL the mechanical clutch linkage and replaced it with a Ram adjustable hydraulic m/c attached to a RAM hydraulic TOB. System is phracking AWESOME. It's like the clutch on a new car. Every press of the clutch is identical to the last 'unlike mechanical which felt different with every push'. The tranny mounts to a standard SBC manual bellhousing 'nothing special'. The torque arm is a different story. You will need the torque arm AND the mount that attaches to the tranny and of course the tranny has to have provisions for this on the tailhousing. Oh and it has to be a torque arm from a 82-83 4 speed manual fbody because all others are different length. Same goes for the drive shaft. You already have a 5 speed car so hydraulics m/c is already there. All you need is the hydraulic bearing, driveshaft, torque arm and, BW tailhousing with torque arm provision 'good luck with that'.

I think reading that should make you run away as fast as you can from these plans... lol

BETTER solution IMHO.
If you really want the 4 speed get a BW and use a hydraulic clutch. Or do as i am doing and convert to T56.

Shameless plug...
I am selling my complete factory BW T10 setup with the Ram hydraulic bearing in order to complete my T56 upgrade.

devinj2233

so which year model t56 should i use. also if i use a t56 what will i have to change to make it work withmy car?

91phoenix

iTrader: (5)

As Sofakingdom already said the preferred is 94-97 Firebird T/A or Camaro T56. This would be a straight bolt up with the exception of the proper flywheel. Reed the T56 swap thread.
The 93 has different ratios and generally isn't reccomended as much. One from a Vette is very different and will not work.

Jupiter

iTrader: (1)

What he ^^ said. 1993-1997 is the LT1 fbodies that came with T56's. That is actually the best option. Keep an eye on here, Craigslist and Ebay. I found my lt1 T56 recently on Craigslist. The T56 swap thread has all the info you need.

FSTFBDY

iTrader: (33)

as said go with a T56 but if you must a old t10 , etc.. An easy solution for the trq arm would be to go with a crossmember mounted one. Get it off the tail shaft of the tranny anyways. Spohn and all the other Companies make them. I run a spohn one with a T56 cross member.

devinj2233

i appreciate the help guys...i didnt know what i was in for when i started haha. I have another question. The motor I have is a two piece main because its out of a 69 camaro. I know I have to get the conversion flywheel for the tranny to match but will the bellhousing on the LT1 t56 bolt up to my 69 block? The reason i ask is because my 305 bellhousing is a different bolt pattern.

Jupiter

iTrader: (1)

Yep you will need the LT1 bellhousing that comes with the T56. I'm in the same boat as you, i need the conversion flywheel and they are not cheap!

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

If your block is from 85-back, you'll need the $pecial "conver$ion" flywheel.

If it's 86-up you can use the stock LT1 flywheel.

devinj2233

I have a conversion flywheel I'm looking at that's $400 new. I hate to blow 400 but its got to be done...haha

devinj2233

when i get the conversion flywheel will i be able to use my 5 speed tranny? I know its beter to get the lt1 t56 but for money reasons id like to use the 5 sped until i can afford to get a six speed.

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

Sure; as long as you don't put it in your car.

Jupiter

iTrader: (1)

The conversion flywheel ONLY works with the lt1 t56. That's what makes it 'special' but, i think it should have been called 'brain fart'. What a terrible design! The more i think about it, the more i think an ls1 t56 swap is a better design. Unfortunately for me i already got a lt1 t56.

devinj2233

ok. thanks. i appreciate the help again