Hi,
I'm planning out a build as I raise some cash for it.
I'd like to drop an LS1 in my Trans Am and I'm pretty sure I can do that and that I want to do that.
However, I've always liked manual transmissions and was wondering if there's a decent manual that will fit through the stock hole in the floor. I don't really want to cut it because I don't want to mess things up and I want to be able to go back and convert it to match everything on the build sheet if I ever see the need to. So I was wondering,
1. Is there a transmission that fits through the hole in the floor?
2. Is there a way to get around cutting the hole bigger in the floorpan?
3. Will this decrease rigidity or cause rusting if I do cut it?
4. Can it be converted back to full stock/ auto without issues?

The reason I'm so nervous about the swap is that the car it will be done to is in fantastic shape and has less than 100k on the clock and I really don't want to mess it up.
Should I do the swap in this one or buy another to do this?

Sorry about the number of questions. I'm just really curious.

 

if the car is not an automatic, there is no hole in the floor. You HAVE to cut a hole for the shifter, and you HAVE to cut a hole and drill 2 holes for the clutch master mounting, no way around it.

to go back to stock, just weld up the holes or use screws to attach a new piece of metal over the hole.

Its hard to mess up the holes. You dont have to cut the hole for the shifter until after the trans is in the car, once its bolted to the motor, you can see where the hole has to be cut from the underside. Using a long drill bit and drill a hole up through the metal into the car, and that will let you know where to start cutting.

As for the pedals, once you swap the pedal assembly into the car, the supports for the master that are attached to the pedal assembly will be seated tight on the fire wall, just have to drill holes for the bolts through the holes in the supports. When you pull the carpet back in that area, you will see that thereis actually a perferation on the padding under the carpet, for the hole for the master cylinder, its oval sapped, and pretty much right where it needs to be, and after you have drilled the 2 little holes, it will be even easier to locate the oval hole.

This is all assuming you use the hydraulic clutch setup, advised!

If you have the ability to read a tape measure and use tools, you are full capable to do this project.

As for cutting up the "low mileage car" Unless the car is a really rare model or something like that, its really not an issue.