When I recently bought my 83 Z28, I noticed that it had an auxilliary trans cooler and no cooler in the radiator, so I thought the previous owner just got cheap and relaced the radiator with one for a manual. Well, last weekend I was pulling the engine and trans to freshen it up and found there was clutch linkage between the block and subframe and a big square hole with boot on the upper left side of the tunnel where a shifter used to be. So, now I know the car originally had a 4 or 5 speed, which is probably a good thing. I want to make the car as close to original as I can and would like to go back to a manual. I've read that in 83 they used either a Muncie 4 speed or a T5. This is where I need help. Somebody please tell me if I'm wrong here. The linkage means it was a non hydraulic clutch, so it was a 4 speed right? I think the T5's all had hydraulic clutches? The build date on the car is Oct 83 if that helps. Thanks.

 

If there are RPO codes they should tell you. Otherwise I would guess 4 speed.

 

RPO codes are found on a label on the under side of the console lid? Unfortunately, I don't have one of those.

 

Mechanical clutch linkage was used 1982 through 1983, including T5 five speed equipped models.

I'll say it before sofakingdom or someone else does... going with the 84-92 setup is going to be easier to find parts for, and provide a better driving experience. The kinked tube of the 82-83 Z-bar makes for a less than linear clutch linkage travel, and the mechanical setups need greased & the parts break.