How rare are the 4 speed Z's? I keep reading it. Anybody know how rare? I have an 82 and it's a mechanical link 4 speed. Does the linkage come from the 2nd gens?

 

It's not that rare, all '82 and most '83's with manual tranny's were the 4 speed. Most were the crappy saginaw's, and not the nice Borg Warner T-10's.
I don't think it's the same linkage as from the 2nd gens, similar, but I imagine it's somewhat different. I hate my linkage, and i'm swapping it to a hydraulic throw out bearing instead.

Is your reverse left and forward, or left and back?

 

Mine is left and fwd. I was considering the hyd. swap myself. Any idea on what makes a good swap. I dont want to use the hyd. throw out brng. style. They're junk. Let me know...thanx....dan

 

Ah, you do have the T-10 then, those are somewhat rare. At least that's what they say, every 1982 manual tranny member on this forum happens to have the T-10 so....

I'm using the hydraulic bearing, since the alternative wasn't pretty.
-Can't use a Stock T-10 setup, since the bellhousing is canted 15* or so.
-A macleod (I think) bellhousing can be used, they are setup for both straight up, or canted setup, and can be setup for a stock style hydraulic clutch. The BH is $400 or so. 5678TA has this setup IIRC, with a TKO500, but the idea is the same. Then just use the stock hydraulic setup from a 1985 T5 camaro or the like. I think GM can still supply the master and slave for this.

 

Fixed

BTW - I just got the McLeod bellhousing for my T10 setup, and its a heavy ****!! MUCH heavier than the cast aluminum stock piece. At least 60lbs I would bet. I'll be using a hydraulic setup with it as well, though none of it has left their boxes yet.

 

Ah, yes, that's what I meant to say.
What was your motivation for the mcleod setup Adam?
You're going to use a stock T5 hydraulic setup?

 

I think i remember reading that the saginaw units were only a short-term run, something about a labor strike at one of the GM plants, and the T-10's not being available.

 

Yup, just using the '84-92 hydraulic clutch parts for my setup - should be fine far as I can tell?

Motivation? Hmm.... my left leg is twice as muscular as my right, and I have broken/welded at least 4 of those Z-bars in the last 5 years.

I figured it was a good time to upgrade to the explosion proof bellhousing on this car, since it does get used pretty hard out at the track and I like my feet where they are - they have been good to me, stuck by me all my life! And since the bellhousing has the provisions for the hyd setup, I thought I might as well upgrade there too while its all apart.