soarestransam

Ok so here is what happened i swapped over a auto car to a t5 now i think I missed some of the brackets for the master cylinder I drilled the hole for the clutch master and bolted it to the fire wall but notice after finishing everything when I pushed the pedal down it wouldnt move saw that the firewall got bent upwards. Im wondering if I'm missing brackets from the pedal assembly to brace the firewall more so this wont happen.

Im thinking about getting a 1/8 steel plate template and welding it to the firewall on the foot panel side to brace that 18 gauge metal will this work I know I'm not gonna be able to find the pieces for the pedals that come off the top of the pedals down to the foot well to brace everything since f bodies in New England MA are becoming extinct and all.

Give me some inside info on how you guys did it on your swapped 3rd gens

midias

Can you post some pictures of what you did?

Drew

iTrader: (58)

Stock 5spd cars have two 3/8" thick bars that run from the pedal pivots down to the clutch master U-bolt, and also a fairly large sheet metal doubler reinforcement that's spot welded to the firewall to beef it up where the clutch master hole is added. Without those reinforcements, there gets to be an awful lot of holes in that area of the firewall, and they're prone to cracking in auto transmission cars...

soarestransam

Yea see that's the problem I didn't get those two 3/8ths rods with the swap so looks like I'll have to fab something up or if I could find those 2 rods that would be fantastic. If I get the two rods will it still be ok to fab a piece of 1/8 steel plate down by the foot well weld it in to add more bracing or do u think with just the rods it will hold up fine

Drew

iTrader: (58)

Which pedals are you using? Thirdgen pedals, you really want to use the rods. They're also specific to the early or late pedals. Around 86 or 87 GM switched from the rod type clutch safety switch, to the small black button switch, at the same time the rods changed.

The doubler plate doesnt need to be nearly that heavy. GM used a typical piece of sheetmetal. 4th gens apparently use the same doubler, with the pedal brackets to further reinforce the firewall.

Pilfered Ebay photo of the doubler.

soarestransam

im using pedals from a 88 formula but when I took it all out from the bone yard the car didn't have the rods I think someone converted the car over to a standard as well cause the trans tunnel was all jacked up im wondering if I could buy these rods from somewhere and I'll use a less thicker metal to brace I guess which will be fully welded in

Drew

iTrader: (58)

Just for clarity, late pedals left, 84 pedals right. Difference is the clutch switch, and the tab on the clutch pedal. Note that the rod on the clutch pedal side comes further over to clear the later switch.

Finding the rods alone and the right pair to match your pedals might be difficult. A full set of pedals should be easier to come by. The rods could probably be fabbed from steel rod with a torch, hammer, and anvil, but I'd probably just buy a full set of pedals.