To All,

I have been back and forth and back and forth with this idea of converting my 1988 2.8L Automatic Camaro to a Standard 5 speed transmission. I am already replacing the engine and the current transmission is bad so that needs replacing too... So with that known, in everyone's professional experience with the engine and transmission removed, is it still a TON of work to do everything needed for a manual conversion? Another though of mine has been to buy a manual roller and move everything over to that frame and do it that way... Which would everyone recommend?

Thanks!

 

You can update some information about your car and possibly general location here, which helps answer questions about your potential project.

If you have the space, and can score a parts car reasonably, and you want to maybe pick some more parts from it, a parts car for a major project tends to be a good idea.

However, it's not too bad to grab most of the stuff needed for the swap from a salvage yard. If they've readily in the local yards.

Also, before doing a modification that's somewhat specific to your engine, make sure you're not better just getting a V8 donor car (if that's in the cards) or other parts that would warrant a different transmission.

Unprofessionally speaking, it doesn't bother me to hang clutch pedals in an automatic car. I get the tools I need, sit upside down in the driver's seat, and do it. The rest is pretty straightforward too. If you are doing your own engine swap and are comfortable with that, I don't think the trans. swap will be outside of your comfort zone.

 

Yeah, I believe I'm leaning towards a 383 stroker.

I was thinking a parts car wouldn't be a bad idea either, I just wasn't sure what I wanted to do. As you may be able to tell I am not a mechanic by any means, so would this be something that a little above average tinkerer could accomplish?

I have been told and the research I have done seems to suggest that after removing everything the rest isn't that hard. Just cut out the clutch master and hang everything (I am probably forgetting a step or two).

I appreciate your help!