I have a '91 firebird 5 speed, and i am swapping the engine to a 305 out of an '87 camaro, i can get a turbo 350 tranny cheap, but i really want to keep my car manual. I have heard from some that i can just switch out a few parts, like the bellhousing and some other things, i have heard form others that the tranny isn't strong enough.

If i can just switch out parts and keep my old tranny, what parts do i need to switch to what?

If i need a new tranny is there a cheap way to get a manual that will bolt to the 305 and can handle it?

please be specific as i am pretty new to engine swapping.

 

Im doing the same thing but im going with a 350. The cheapest transmission i found was the tremec 5 speed which handles like 500 ft lbs of torque. Its $2000.Add shipping and other stuff needed that they provide for the swap will put you at around $2600

 

I have not done this, but this is what I think I know.
The V6 trans is not the strongest, but it can bolt to the V8.
You need the bellhousing, flywheel, and pressure plate from a V8 third gen F'Bird or Camaro.
The V6 trans has a different spline than the V8 trans, so you will need a clutch disc that fits the V8 flywheel yet has a hub to fit the 10 spline input shaft on the V6 trans. That disc is NAPA part RCF 4212.

Piper106