Hi guys,

I have managed to get hold of a manual car and strip the box out ready to transfer over the 87 hydraulic set-up T5 to my Vert 700r4. The manual box I am using was rebuilt 1k miles ago so its a good one but non-WC.

I have heard a few people talkoing about how rubbish the stick shift was for our cars and now I'm wondering if I'm doing the right thing? I want to enjoy chosing gears and holding it in 3rd from low speeds- you know the kind of thing.

So talk to me? Should I stay Auto or go manaul.

The car is a weekend and summer car so no daily commute.

Thanks

 

For just a fun summer car, YES! They are much funner to me, and connect you more to the car. Besides, a 305TPI, vert, 5 speed is a VERY cool combination.

With a relatively stock car I would bet the tranny would be OK for a while as well...

 

Im also thinking about doing the same with my vert.I have a WC T-5 from a 92 Trans am and was able to get all the odds and ends from a 92 RS LO3 M5 car at a local yard.

 

Thanks for the support guys. For a fun car, manual/stick shift works. Most of the hard work is getting all the little pieces like the pedals, reservoir etc. Later on could always drop in a T56 or similar.

The auto box is gorgeous- very smooth BUT I want to drive this car at weekends, like I say hold it in gear and floor it when I want in what gear I want.

I heard chaning the shifter itself is a good move?

 

And just to add, I will keep motor pretty stock. Losing some weight and less drivetrain loss is a good thing

 

I'm going to be swapping my 700 for a T5 here possibly this weekend. As far as I'm concerned; any manual swap is worth it in these cars!

 

Great move. You wont regret it.

 

Do it

I did mine to a 5 spd, then later on swapped in the 6 spd.

Well worth it IMHO.

 

I changed mine from auto to 6spd, loving every minute of it.

 

Theres only one thing better than driving a convertible 3rd gen, and that is driving a convertible third gen with a manual transmission.

Do it, and never look back.

 

The trick to the T5's longevity is to use it but not abuse it.

 

bangin gears is the best.do the swap i did too

 

I've owned a number of 3rd gens, but never a convertible or manual. As of five days ago, I've covered both bases ... Bought a '92 Z28 droptop 5-speed. Not sure which part is my favorite - Putting the top down or shifting through the gears. I've owned a few late-model 6 speed rides, but the combination of 'vert and shifting is the best I've had yet!

Mike

 

FWIW Hawks carries some parts for the swap, both interior and exterior.
3rd Gen Shift plate for console (6 speed swap)

You can go here. http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/co...ponents_1.aspx


More interior and machanical parts for swap you can go here: http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/ls...omponents.aspx

 

You`ll enjoy it! Do it, I would! Now if I could only find out where the wife took off too with the 88 vert 5 speed havent seen her all day!

 

That's not even a question, YES.

Unless you're missing a leg or you knees don't work cruising in a 'vert thirdgen is just more fun with a stick.

 

That is for the Firebird shifter plate, I am not sure what hawks is doing for camaros... Actually the new shifter plate look better than that one... The numbers are actually like the original Pontiac font.

I am not sure what

 

I was thinking of doing this swap to my 91 vert. However I heard that with the 1st gear in the T5 is a little taller than the 700r4, and that the 4th (OD) gear in the 700r4 is taller than the 5th gear in the T5. So basically the T5 has a smaller range of gear ratios. Is this true?

 

what a wait of time ,buy a 5 speed hardtop tpi camaro and beat the **** out of it and be happy with what you got and if you want go find a rs 5 speed car convertible be a lot cheaper if it came from the factory a manaul leave it that way and if it came with a auto than leave it that way to much work do with it what you want its a shame no wonder way theres so many none matching # camaros left. I prefer my all car stock like the way they were met to be .I have both a 1989 hardtop 5 speed tpi 1le car with 345 gears and a 305 tpi 230hp and love it and then for real power have a 1998 ss covertible camaro with the ls1 thats a real engine not those low power 305 and 350 made back in the mid 80s-90s also have a 1990 irocz camaro convertile (auto) for cruzing around So if you really want too do it right put a LS1 6-speed in it and that will blow the door off camaros and vetts

 

Are you drunk?

 

Yes to the conversion, however you have a non World Class T5 there. They didn't start putting the better WC (World Class) T5 in until the 1988 model year. I converted my 90 RS to a WC T5 several years ago and am very pleased with the results. You should cut the reinforcing piece that surrounds the transmission tunnel hole from the T5 car and have it welded to the new car. Since you have the donor car you'll be able to take the measurements to cut the hole for the stick shift in the proper location. There are some wiring changes required and a chip difference between the auto and T5 version too.

Lon

 

What sort of twatt would call the manual rubbish? There is nothing more fun than banging gears with the top down! And seriously the T5 is a great transmission smooth shifting and dead reliable if you dont beat on it "too" hard

 

LOL- Americans use the word **** too! brilliant.

Car is going in next week for the swap.

As for the guy that ranted about non matching number Camaros. I would prefer to have a car that absolutely ticks all my boxes and enjoy driving it than having a car that is numbers matching. I didn't buy my car to speculate and sell on, I bought it to enjoy and drive.

 

I swapped to a T5 in my 91Z28 a few months back and its a LOT more fun to drive... If you bought the car to drive, swap it; if you bought it to look at, keep the auto.

 

Well actually we don't... the guy that did use that word is Canadian LOL.

Anyway, I agree with ya 100%. I bought my car to enjoy... it's by no means a garage queen (its actually lucky to spend a night in a garage) and I have some plans for it. Mine's a 1 in 555 Trans Am convertible too. However when I do start replacing parts, especially major stuff like the engine and trans, I plan on keeping the originals in case these cars do go up in value and if I'd want to ever sell it (the latter is very unlikely though lol). Probably saran wrap em and stuff em in my shed.

JK about the first statement though, I use that word occasionally.

 

 

Canadians/Americans- same thing..

Just joking

 

I use every "expletive" I can get my hands on, all the time. I've even adopted some of your favorites, like rubbish and ghastly.

Go for the swap. You won't be disappointing and you might get a few more mpg out of it.

 

I was wanting to do the swap myself, with a hydro clutch,

can anyone give me a list of EVERYTHING needed tobe done? kinda like a Guide on how to?

i'd really be greatfull.. im looking to do all of this in the winter months that way when summer rolls around its top down and baggin through the gears blasting motley crue!

oh also i wouldnt be getting the WC T-5 id do the T-56 swap if anything,

 

Here ya go:

https://www.thirdgen.org/manualswap

http://www.skulte.com/T56.html

and the page where i got both of these from:

https://www.thirdgen.org/technical-articles



Oh and search the forums here... you're bound to find oodles of information since these are such popular swaps.