Guys I need some help with my next IROC purchase. My requirments in the end are a manual trans. with at least 300 horses +. I am stuck between purchasing a 89 IROC 305 TPI 5 speed manual and a 89 IROC 350 TPI 700R. I know the factory 5 speed will break up. What is a cheaper conversion? What motor and trans? Where do I find an engine? I have limited time and will not be doing the work myself. Does anybody know of a reasonable quality shop in Fort Wayne Indiana that could complete the work? Also keep in mind Not looking to break the bank on project. What should I expect to pay? Please send me in the most sensible route. Thanks guys!!!

 

IMO the best thing to do would be to get a 305/5-speed car. Swap a decent motor into it. When the 5-speed tears up, put a T-56 in it.

From my point of view, it's easier to swap motors than transmission type; and once you have the right trans type, easy to swap from one model to another. Swapping one of these cars from auto to stick, or vice-versa, CLEANLY, is not an easy task. Way too hard to get some of the parts, short of buying another car; which of course it will then slap you in the face in a quiet moment of reflection, is what you should have done in the first place. Hindsight is a funny thing that way.

Can't begin to feature even imagining paying a shop to do that sort of thing. That's all a bunch of stuff that if you aren't willing to do it yourself, then this is probably not the hobby for you. Tough words, but when you find out how much time these things take and what shops charge by the hour (since after all, $$$ you pay = hourly rate x hours) you'll figure it out real quick.