[CraveCase5]

hello everyone. first id like to say its great to find a website devoted to chevelles. the 70s chevelle is a dream car of mine. now that im a little older (21) and have had experience driving cars like vettes and camaros, i am in the market for my baby. i want to do it right and get a 454 stick. the problem is i see a lot of good deals here and there for 454s with auto trannys. my question to the community is about how much would it cost to have an automatic 454 changed over to a stick shift? is this even possible? thanks for your time

 

[Larry B.]

Yes it can be done (not too hard either) but you better off buying one thats manual from the factory.

 

[figbash]

It's possible but it will take a lot of work to do it right. You'll need to hang a new set of clutch and brake pedals along with the clutch linkage. If you want the reverse lockout operable you'll need to find all that linkage and install it. You'll need a trans, bellhousing, clutch and probably a new drive shaft, not to mention a shifter and a different hump on the transmission tunnel to mount it. You'll also need a switch to turn on your back-up lights.

Your efforts will be rewarded though because nothing is more fun than a manual trans in a muscle car.

Tom

 

[Jim Mac]

I just converted my 70 to a 4 speed a few weeks ago. If you have everything, it can be done in a weekend. I bought a parts car (elcamino) and stripped everything from it. My car was originally a 4 speed car, so I already had the hump welded in.
One thing I almost overlooked was the starter. you need a cast iron nose starter for a manual. Then the bolts are shorter than the automatic starter. I went from a turbo 400 to a muncie, so I had to get a longer driveshaft. I did leave the clutch safety switch and backup light switch off. Jim

 

[copoman69]

keep this in mind when you decide to make the swap, this swap will cost you a arm and a leg, and decent 4 speed will cost 1000 bucks or more, then all the part you need , huge list and these parts are not cheap, you can buy a half dozen 400 automatic for what one manual would cost, then you have to clutch that puppy hundred times a day . then all the wear and tear on your tires and suspension, with a after markit shifter, and mods you can make to a t400, you can manual shift a automatic tranny, and get almost the same results , i have done this and after a week of hard shifts , i was ready to go back to a smooth shifting unmodified valve body, the only really good thing about making the change to a manual is you increase the overall value of the car , , good luck

 

[Jim Mac]

I dont think its about the consistency at the track.
the ease of just putting it in drive and go.
modifing a automatic.
Its all about the first time you let out the clutch and SHIFT through the gears!
Now you have to realize our econoboxes (03 hyundai, and 07 Vibe) are both 5 speed manuals too.
Sure after the swap, I thought to myself if it was worth the effort. But after driving it a few times. I think its worth it. jim

 

[509Merlin]

Put in a 5 speed overdrive, I just got back from Power Tour with my 454 5 speed, got 16-20 mpg.
The cost will be a lot though, cost me close to 3000.00 bucks and mine was a 4 speed.