Manual Trans

[99 2dr]

Anyone ever heard of someone swapping their automatic trans for a manual? I had a 5 speed manual in a 93, but i like the horsepower and the interior in my 99. I think that i would need to find a complete 99 4wd pickup to pull the necessary parts: Slave Cylinder, Reservoir, Pedal, perhaps the ECM, Shifter, Transfer Case, Plug the trans cooler off, Gauge cluster, Steering column cover without the auto shifter ... ect I would install a new clutch, flywheel, rebuild the trans, ect

I do allot of towing, and the auto just doesn't cut it. I have had the trans built, but it's just not as bullet proof as the manual. Anyone else think of anything i haven't covered?
I wouldn't attempt the project unless i thought that i could make it look completely factory and not hacked.

 

[961500]

Had a 5 speed in my 96 it was junk. I went to a turbo 400
there are a couple of guys here with upgrades to a 4L80e that
is the route I am heading. The 4L80e is a strong unit and should
be an easier upgrade.

 

[95TwinTT]

I second the motion for the 4L80e.

I made the switch a couple of years ago and have stress tested it to the max.

The 4L80e is bullet proof.

 

[foreverfalcon40]

Whatever DEL SAYS...DO!

end of thread!

 

[99 2dr]

I have had several manuals in 93 and 94 model year trucks and they out preformed the autos many times over. When i had my 460 built i was told that i couldn't swap to the 480. do you know what that swap would entail?

 

[95TwinTT]

For me the switch to the 4L80e was fairly simple. The holes are in the frame, so the cross member just slides back to the next set of holes. You use the same trans mount, as the 60.

The tranny shop I use, changed the parts in my transfer case to take it up to the larger shaft size. Front drive shaft needs to be longer and the rear, shorter, of course. Shift linkage was the same.

The tranny shop, had the trans to transfer case adapter in stock. Chevrolet supplied the dip stick and tube. The manual shift rod for the transfer case had to be lengthened. Other than that, it was some software alterations and it was done.

I don’t have OBD2, so you would need to check out the changes needed to be made there.

If you like manual tranny’s, that is probably the way to go.

 

[99 2dr]

Thank you for your input, I really like the reliability of the 5 speed, I think in my earlier post I outlined everything I need to do to make it look factory. If you hear of anyone doing the swap, or have any other input, please let me know.

 

[99 2dr]

95TwinTT, When you upgraded to the 480, did you notice a difference in firmness, fuel mileage, torque... ect
Thank you
Kyle

 

[95TwinTT]

The 60 that was replaced by the 80, had been built to the nth degree. All the tricks you hear about. The only thing done to the 80 over stock, was swapping the input shaft to the new version that can take 1000 hp.

With the 60, I was running much higher pressure. Now with the 80, all settings are normal and it chirps the tires going into third. I did use one of the newer style, torque converters with higher stall and multiple discs for lockup.

I have the lockup set for 32 mph, so it acts exactly like a manual trans for engine braking above 32 mph.

The biggest difference was the close ratio. The 80 is just like the old 4 speed manuals in the muscle cars. Same ratio’s, where the 60 has a much lower 1st gear and more spread between the gears. The new TC with torque enhancements offset starting in a higher first gear, so I didn’t notice any difference there.

I wish I would have done the 80 a few years earlier, I could have saved a lot of screwing around with the 60’s.

I have a transmission pressure gauge on the post in the Hoe. It was needed for all the mods, I had done on the 60. I have not found a reason yet, to mess with the pressure settings on the 80. The shifts are super fast and crisp. First to second is the same as second to third and third to fourth.

I’m trying to figure out a way to squeeze another 80 into the Camaro. I’m still getting away with the “built” 60 in that car because the wheels can spin easily. With the extra ton of weight in the Hoe, the tires do not spin as easily and the tranny has to be able to with stand so much more strain.