I have a base model 85 firebird, put a 1974 350 chevy approx 400hp with a stock TH350. I plan on going through the entire car and doing some weight reduction/ customization. So while the car is apart I was wondering how difficult it would be to go from the TH 350 to a 5 speed manual? What would I need as far as a tranny and hardware? What trans would hook up to my motor, fit in the car, and not need all the computer stuff? Could I snag a trans and hardware out of another firebird/camaro? I've heard that the body of the car will have a cut out for the clutch pedal and places to mount the hardware. Is that true or will I need to fabricate?

Sorry for so many questions. If you have any for me please ask.

Thanks!

PS (reasons for wanting a 5sp over TH350: 1 more fun for a street rod. 2 more HP to wheels. 3 TH350+3.73 gears+ 235/60/14 tires makes for 2700 rpm at 55MPH, sounds cool until you see the fuel gauge.)

 

https://www.thirdgen.org/manualswap

 

Good luck keeping a T5 together behind 400HP.

 

what tranny would you recommend?

 

T56

 

We would all reccomend the T56 but some people have good luck getting the T5 to hold up if they are easy on it. I am swapping to T56 when I do a v8 swap. The holes are not necessarily marked on the firewall. One other bit of advice would be to think about the driveshaft and tranny crossmember as I believe they were different from the 700R4 and T5 cars. To get an idea on how to mark and drill holes look at that part on the t56 swap sticky. It will be slightly different using 3rd gen pedals but gives an idea.