Okay, theres a good chance my 700R4 is on its way out, and Ive always wanted a stick shift car. How hard is it to place a T-5 or such into a car like this if I get a junkyard unit. Does it involve a lot of work to install? Do I have to cut holes in the footwell, or is it pretty much set for a clutch pedal to be bolted on and the linkage to be done. Approx hom much would this look to cost me to do if I do the work myself. How about at a shop?

I really dont want to dump a ton of money in the automatic, but I worry that it is a major uptaking to place a stick shift into this car. I know its been done here before. I currently dont have the cash for a T-56. Could it be done to swap in a T-5 for under a thousand bucks? It will be hard to convince my father of this swap, as hed be the one helping me, but he swapped a stick shift into his 61 vette and said it was the biggest PITA as he had to set up the clutch by cutting a hole and such. Is there a book which is a step to step guide on swapping in a manual transmission anywhere out there? Thanks.

Right now this is only a possibility, and the other option involves rebuilding the TH350 we have to put in. It seems the cheapest option, but I would be willing to forego new heads in order to just do the springs on mine and get a stick in the car.

 

There is a tech article about it. If your gonna go through the trouble you mid as well put in a t56 instead of just a t5.

 

Swapping in a manual tranny has been by far the most annoying thing I've ever done to my car. BUT, I think it was well worth it. I like driving it much better now. You do have to cut a hole in the firewall for the clutch master cylinder, and a hole in the shifter. Everything else is pretty much bolt on. If you do it yourself, you won't need a grand to do a T5 swap. I'm not sure how much they go for, but its not too much. If you go with a T56, expect around 1400-1750 (total with OEM unit) on average. If you get a new aftermarket T56, its more.

 

Yeah, it's only another $1500.

 

The T5 conversion was one of the best modifications I made to my car besides getting rid of the V6. Difficulty wasn't too bad but as stated earlier it's an annoying frustrating bastard of a job. And I bought everything including a autozone clutch (which is worthless) for 600 bucks.

 

not really, most people seem to get there 6 spds for about 1400 - 1900 bucks, for everything you need.
the aftermarket one is sorta a rip off i think. but it has its advantages.