Hey guys,

I have a 91 RS with the 3.1 and I was hoping to swap my auto for 5spd. Found an 86 Camaro with the 2.8 and 5spd. Could I not just grab everything from it and transfer it over? Was talking to the j/y guy who claimed the driveshaft and flywheels would be different between 86 and 91s... I doubted it though.

 

Your 3.1 requires an unbalanced flywheel to work with the 5spd... Your best bet is to call around to see what local junkyards have. Luckily, you are looking at getting everything at once, including the hydraulics for the clutch. When you pick the stuff up, measure for your shifter hole as to where it locates on the driveshaft tunnel. The driveshaft is identical, however, unless you want to get an aluminum one from a 4th gen...

 

So if I grab everything except the flywheel from the 86, and grab the flywheel from a 91 I'll be fine?

 

You don't need the torque arm or the driveshaft, but grab everything except the flywheel, yes. However, you have to make sure you grab the right torque arm isolator for your torque arm. When I did my swap, I went to the dealer and ended up with the wrong part as my isolator and torque arm face in opposite directions.
Also, you're going to have a hell of a time finding a speedo gear for your electronic VSS (Camaro switched to the electronic speedo in 89-90)... Believe me, it took me a month of fighting with the dealer to get the wrong part 3 times. You should try seeing if the cable drive unit currently in the transmission has either the nylon driven gear attached to a steel shaft (which you want) or a one piece gear/shaft part (which you don't want but is about the only thing available). Do NOT get the trans if it doesn't have the right gear or you may never find it. Either way, you're going to need to go to a parts store and pick up a T5 VSS, which is smaller than the one currently in your 700R4.

 

Im not sure what you mean by torque arm isolator... would I be better off grabbing everything from a 94 Camaro?

 

The isolator is the rubber mount connecting the torque arm to the trans tailshaft... Don't know if everything will be different from a 94 or not... All of my parts came from an 84 (with the exception of the second trans, trans mount, and the isolator which was bought new). You'd be in good shape to get the VSS stuff from a '94, though, as it's all the same.

 

Don't forget to put a pilot bushing into the back of the crank.

RBob.

 

So true. The ONLY thing you should have left from your NEW clutch kit is the alignment dowel pin thing that's made of plastic, and of course, the box and packing plastic. DO NOT touch the clutch plate! You CAN put it on the alignment pin and set it aside until you install it, and use the pin as a handle (provided the disc is up) so you avoid contaminating the clutch surfaces.

 

Thanks guys, you've been very helpful!

 

I found a 94 with everything I need... just need to know if those parts can be swapped in... anyone know?

 

Is the trans on those mounted straight or slightly cocked to the left? Everything should swap in, though, seeing as how the flywheels are the same and such, but you still might end up with the clutch hydraulics and pedal set from the 86.