I'm thinking about making a custom fiberglass center console for my Trans Am. The question I have is, it's an auto now, but I'd like to drop a T56 in it one of these days, and since I'm going to do a good job on the console, I don't want to have to hack it again. Is there a basic opening that I should leave for the shifter that will work well with my auto as well? I know I can get boots to go over the whole opening, but I just want to make sure I leave enough space in the right area for the 6 speed. For those who've done the swap, could you let me know what you had to modify in the stock console (if it was a manual console or auto)?

Thanks.

 

the 6spd just fits inside the stock 5spd.

the closest it gets is when its in reverse...

 

Hmmm ok. How about 5-speed console vs. auto console? Any difference there? I see that the auto shifter goes up in a narrow line, but it looks like the auto plate to the left of it can be taken out to get a total opening about 4 x 5 1/4" (WxH) and I'm guessing that is where the factory 5-speed shifter moves around in. When you say the T56 gets close in reverse... how close, and how much should I enlarge part of the opening? Do you have any pictures? Is reverse in the top left?

Thanks.

 

EDIT: UPPER right.... i donno waht i was thinking when i posted this orignally, but i did it wrong... its the UPPER right, not the lower right.

the only diff between a 5spd console and auto (in a camaro) is the top plate.

 

I have a trans am, and unfortunately you cannot buy manual plates anymore. But, the manual plate follows the contour of the outside of the grey P-R-N etc. thing. So you can always carefully cut it out and wet sand it like I did, and you have a manual plate, not quite factory, but close.

 

Ok, so when you say it's close, is it almost hitting the lower right side of the shift area opening? (assuming you have removed the auto/manual plate and have a shift boot to cover the area instead.) I'm just trying to get an idea of how close is close, because if I need to make the opening larger on my fiberglass console (say, 1/2" larger all around or something) so that the shifter isn't rubbing, then now is the time to do it.

 

the t56 reverse location is to the right and up.

 

The manual hole for the T56 is the same size as the automatic plate with the grey PRND plastic removed.

 

you're right.

i dont know what the heck i was thinking yesterday.

i apologize, its UP not down... sorry for the mis info....


as for the hole, i just used a regular 5spd console top plate. i dont recall the clearance, but it doesnt hit.


once more, sorry for my mistake, the correct shift pattern is as follows:


i donno what the heck i was thinking.