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  1. #1
    BCM Cruiser
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    any one convert to manual?

    I need to know what parts I would need to convert my '86 trans am to manual like and new brackets or which brackets need to be saved.

  2. #2
    Obsessed loud91rs's Avatar
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    assuming you are going to a t5 you are gonna need the clutch slave cylinder, master, bellhousing, clutch, flywheel, t5 crossmember, your 700r4 torque arm and driveshaft will work, clutch linkage, and pedal assembly all from the t5...oh and also the reverse light switch that goes into the trans...am i forgetting anything anybody?
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  3. #3
    Saab vs The Police... Slow Joe's Avatar
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    Brake fluid... Gotta love hydrolic clutch set-ups
    Thanks,
    Joe Reichard
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  4. #4
    Obsessed loud91rs's Avatar
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    forgot, also, lower and upper shift boots, shifter, and console plate.
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  5. #5
    Saab vs The Police... Slow Joe's Avatar
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    Neutral start switch and tube from the master to the slave lol, did I miss anything else??
    Thanks,
    Joe Reichard
    2007 Saab 9-5 Aero
    2010 Saab 9-3 2.0T 6-Speed Manual... It's my wife's and she lets me drive it from time to time...
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  6. #6
    R.I.P. BCM Jawashoot Champion Toby and Kiki Champion GTSLOW's Avatar
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    Get a T56!
    All posts from the above author are expected to be 100% BS. Thank you and have a nice day.

  7. #7
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    what about the pedals? would they bolt in or do I have to weld? and any brackets that I'll need to keep or find?

  8. #8
    Obsessed loud91rs's Avatar
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    theres a bracket that attatches to the clutch slave cylinder that attatches it to the brake booster bolt...other than that its gonna mostly be you cuttin a hole in the tunnel, and the firewall for the linkage and shifter. i cant remember how the clutch pedal goes off hand, but if you go on www.thirdgen.org they will be able to answer any detailed question you might have...the guys on there are awesome. good luck!
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  9. #9
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    thanks for the info. If anybody knows how to make it into a cable clutch can you let me know?

  10. #10
    Post whore PonyKiller87's Avatar
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    Its really not that tough, I converted mine to a T56 which is pretty much the same as going to a T5 only you get a good transmission when your done with it.

    The pedals bolt right up, and then you can use the bracket to figure out where to drill the hole for the clutch . The hole in the tunnel is pretty easy to figure out, I think there was marking for it too. The wiring isnt to bad but would be eaiest if you can get the wiring from the same car that you get the pedals from.

    As far as going to a cable clutch I think I found 2 guys on Thirdgen.org that have done it and it took some serious fabrication to do because none of the the thirdgens ever had it.
    Kevin
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  11. #11
    BCM Cruiser
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    thanks for the info

  12. #12
    Vintage Racer
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    Save money buy a manual and swap good stuff from the trans am into the next car =P
    Beater: 96 Dodge 1500 5.9 4x4 trans fixed!!
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  13. #13
    2slow4u TransAm12sec's Avatar
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    As loud91rs said, thirdgen.org is the place to answer pretty much any question about the swap.

    When you refer to brackets, what brackets were you thinking of?

    When I researched the swap, I imagined the hardest parts being drilling the hole in the firewall for the clutch master cylinder and mounting the pedals.

    What tranny are you going to swap to?
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  14. #14
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    I've been thinking about the t56 for quite a while.

    The brackets I'm mainly concerned about are for the tranny mounts.
    But if they are the same for both the 700-r4 and t56 I'm good then.

  15. #15
    Obsessed loud91rs's Avatar
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    If you go t56 you will need one of these:
    Crossmember Link

    And i'd get one of these...it'll help your traction off the launch greatly, and it'll be easy to instal...
    Torque Arm Tubular Link
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  16. #16
    Hang on, Im working on the car ffvetteman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by diablizzard
    I need to know what parts I would need to convert my '86 trans am to manual like and new brackets or which brackets need to be saved.
    Nice car Need pics - got a 86 myself
    "Anecdotal discussion of coincidentally simultaneous extreme applications of the throttle will not be tolerated!" -CentralCoaster

  17. #17
    BCM Cruiser
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    I'm actually parting this one out
    I found out the frame was bent a week after I bought it.
    I am going to buy a another clean 3rd gen most likely next summer.
    If anybody wants any parts let me know.
    most of the money I make is going to this next project.

    How much horsepower can the T56 handle? I need at least 500
    Last edited by diablizzard; 01-09-2006 at 11:33 AM.

  18. #18
    Obsessed loud91rs's Avatar
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    Hey i'm looking for a 700R4, tail light center section, and a hood if you have any of this stuff...get back to me
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  19. #19
    It's not really the HP that kills most trannys...it's the torque. I believe the T-56 is rated at 450 ftlbs.

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