I have a 84 camaro. It has the 700r4 in it now but I really want a stick shift. Problem is I have no idea what transmission will fit and hold up. I'm building a 383 to power it so the tranny has to be able to handle at least 400-500 horsepower/torque.

Any suggestions?

 

T56 out of a 93-97 F body.

 

Yeah, most people are going to tell you to go the t56 route. However, there are a lot of guys who have rebuilt/beefed up a T5 and had great luck with it. I'm getting ready to swap an older 4 speed in place of the T5 in my camaro right now. My camaro has a built 383 and had no problems with the T5 once it was built up a little bit, and I raced it last season as well and have had no issues. I just like 4 speeds.

 

You have several choices as to what to use.
1) 93-97 T56 from Camaro or Firebird. Preferably 94 and up. It is fairly easy to find and relatively straight forward swap. Need a new cross member. Read the T56 swap sticky at the top. It has two overdrive gears so can give better fuel mileage. It has the pull type clutch not the normal push type.
2) T5 from 83-92 Camaro and Firebird. These are a relatively weak tranny. Some upgrades are available for rebuilds but can get costly. Generally hold up well for normal everyday driving. For spirited or performance driving many have had issues. It does have one overdrive gear so a little better fuel mileage but not as good as the T56.
3) An earlier 4 sp like the T10 or Muncie. The trans is fairly strong but requires an early Z bar set up from 82-83 to use. A hydraulic throwout is possible eliminating the Z bar mechanical linkage. It is fairly strong but does not have an overdrive so mileage will suffer some. Torque arm mounts?
4) An aftermarket trans. Possible clearance and or clutch issues but easily solvable. Some modifications may be needed. Usually a 5 or six speed trans with overdrive. These are strong but may need some adapting to work and are pricey.
This gives you an idea of the normal choices and a few pros or cons.

 

sorry I am posting here, but i am unsure how to make a new post anyway I have a 86 iroc with a 1970 355 4 bolt main hooked up to a 700r4, I want to put a manual in and can get a muncie 4 off a friend dirt cheap. I do not have cash for a t5 ot t56. I'm trying to this swap on the cheap, what parts will I need? is there a vehicle I can get a driveshaft and crossmember off on the cheap like at the junk yard? any advice helps other than people telling me to put a t56 or th350 in lol

 

For the Muncie you should be able to use an early 82 and maybe 83 crossmember from a Camaro or Bird that had a t350 auto trans. The driveshaft from the same should be the right length. I am not sure about the yoke though. You will heed to do something for a torque arm mount though. The Z bar would have to come from a 82-83 Camaro or Bird also.

 

my torque arm is alright mounted to the body, so that's no problem. What do you mean the z bar? you mean the rear suspension on top of the differential? and if so how does swapping in a muncie 4 affect that? thanks for the advice!

 

You have two choices. First is a z-bar mechanical type clutch linkage from a 82-83 Camaro or Bird. The second is to find a hydraulic throwout bearing to use with a 84-92 clutch hydraulic master cylinder and have hydraulic hoses made up for this application. The factory did not use a hydraulic throwout bearing in 84-92 in these cars but somebody should or does make one that can be used.

 

Hey guys I was thinking about putting a manual transmission in my 91 RS preferably a 4 speed any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.