I was just wondering if anyone knows why you couldn't get an '82-'83 TA/Z28 with Crossfire injection AND a manual transmission. I thought I read something about how it was going to be offered as an option, but was then rejected later on due to emissions or estimated MPG or something like that. I could be completely wrong...I can't remember.

On that note, could you convert a CFI car with auto to a manual transmission, specifically the 4-speeds that were offered for those years??

I've been thinking about converting my car to a manual transmission, because I prefer manuals over automatics any day. I have never seen a 4-speed 3rd gen in person, nor have I driven a manual that has an external linkage setup. Not sure If I should direct this to the Transmission forum, but I figure more people might know about the early 3rd gens in this forum.

I'm just wondering if there would be any problems with the drivability of a CFI car that had a manual tranny. Would you get error codes since there wouldn't be any torque converter lockup control? Also what about the VSS signal on these cars. From what I understand, the VSS was just used to control torque converter lockup on the early cars. Would I also have to swap the column from a car with a manual transmission?

IF I was to do this, and it's just an idea at this point, I'd like to keep the car "era specific" using parts that would be available at the time but not available on the actual model from GM...sort of a "what if GM made this" kind of deal. I'm not going to race the car, I'm not concerned about it being the fastest, in fact I'm really contemplating on ditching my 406 for the stock 305 Call me crazy if you want

Also I'm not very familiar with the 4-speeds available for '82 but I have read that one is '82 specific, and ONLY '82. I know of the saginaw, and I think the other is the Borg Warner. Any major differences between the two?? I've also heard alot of people say the saginaw is junk. Like I said though, I'm not racing the car, so I would think it would hold up to a 305.

If anyone has any advice or things I should be aware of when doing something like this let me know.

 

1) the 4 Speed Manual was only offered in 1982 with a V8... I think it was I4 only in 1983 & possibly 84.

2) Chances are the 4 Speed may not have been strong enough... Probably similar issues that they had with the 1985 & 1986 TPI and then 87+ L98 Engines with the combo... Its almost like every year except 1984 they did not offer a manual transmission with the highest power engine... 1984 they only offered the L69 (HO) and LG4, since they offered the HO in 1983 with a manual it might have been a tough argument to state that they could not put a Manual behind it in 1984. I also thinking that 1984 was the only year that the HO was offered with an Automaitc.

If you did a conversion I would think that getting a 88+ M5 would be the way to go... From what I hear, or more accurately read, 88 & up were stronger.

If you want something that is year specific (from 1982) then you will have to search a whole lot harder than if you are willing to do a 5 speed. I may be mistaken but they may have actually used the 4 speeds in Chevettes too...

John

 

At some point in time, likely mid 70's, the EPA required certification for each drivetrain that would be installed in a vehicle. So in order for GM to sell a 4-speed CFI car for instance, they would have had to separately certify that drivetrain from the automatic version. In all likeliness, they probably figured that they would sell many more automatics than manuals so they decided not to make a 4-speed version available. This was commonplace in the 70's, thats why in 1979 there was a 400 4-speed Trans Am, and 403 Automatic Trans Am, and no 400 automatic, nor 403 4-speed. It is also why GM switched to 'corporate' engines rather than multiple engines and transmissions for each different model line, hence the reason for the death of a bunch of engines like the entire Pontiac engine branch, most of the Buicks, and the eventual death of anything coming from Oldsmobile or Cadillac.

 

From what I remember reading from an article about it written in 1982 was that the main reason the CFI didn't have a manual transmission available was emmissions related. When the throttle was released to shift gears it would cause the engine to emit exhaust gases that exceeded the limit. Engineers were working on solving the problem and hopfully releasing a CFI with a manual trans by 1984 but obviously plans changed by then. Firebird project planning enginner Tom Goad had a '82 CFI Trans Am with a Borg-Warner T5 5-speed manual trans but that car was built for his personal use.

In regard to the 4-speed manual trans used behind the V8 in 1982, A Borg Warner Super T-10 and GM Saginaw trans where used. The Borg Warner is the better and stronger of the two trans but the Saginaw is more than capable of handling the torque the 305 V8 put out. GM had been putting the Saginaw behind low torque 6 and 8 cylinder engines since the late 60's.

Manual trans cars used a specific steering column with a little lever for the ignition key release. I'm pretty sure this type of column was used throughout the 3rd-gen life cycle on manual trans equipped cars so it shouldn't be too hard to find.

I think your biggest issue will be the programming of the PROM. I know with TPI there can be stalling problems when an auto trans PROM is used with a manual transmission and I imagine a CFI may experience the same problem.

 

I agree with Dens71TA, automatic cars also spend more time in the lower RPM range which also helps emissions. I think making a manual crossfire would be cool, I’ve thought about it but probably wont. to many other firebird projects.

 

All the early '82 listings actually showed a LU5 4-speed combo, but, as others have said, emissions certification killed it. The Saginaw trans was used in 4 and 6 cyl cars, all the carb'd V8 cars had the Borg-Warner T-10, which is plenty strong for any 305 and more. As an owner of an 82 4-speed, I can tell you that most of the parts are unique, the best way to convert an AT would be to find a parts car- The result would be really cool!

 

1) Yes, the four speed manual was still available behind the 2.5 in '84. A friend of mine actually had one.

2) I believe you are correct on that statement too.