I was thinking would it and is it at all possible to swap out the Automatic Trans for maybe a four or five speed manual Trans, and how much would there needed to be involved? I always have pondered this question but has anyone ever attempted it? Just a thought. i'd like to by a Grand National and slap a four or five speed on it and just bang them gears how sweet would that be! Thanks, Leo
The problem with a manual transmission in a Turbo car is between gears while shifting you would lose the boost that was built up, so the turbo would have to spool up all over again, not as much as from a dead stop but I think you get the idea.
I was thinking the same thing. My WRX that I had (before the ex got it in the divorce) was a 5 speed that had a computer controlled waist gate that limited boost in the 1st 2 gears and it still got up and boogied even with the lower boost in 1st and 2nd. I don't see why an engine with 2 more cylinders and a much bigger turbo wouldn't do OK with a nice 5 or 6 speed manual.
They do it with MUCH smaller turbos that spool up much quicker, and to relatively LOw boost compared to the 20+ #s we'd run in a TR, so the Loss is much more minimal.
If you've driven a GN you will know that if hit the throttle and so much as even back off a slight amount, you will lose all of your boost. And you will not get it back in an instant. In my opinion,the forced air system on a stock GN will not work well with a manual transmission. Maybe a smaller set of twin turbos and a wastegate management system as mentioned above may work. Maybe do some homework on the Evos, Porsche, and some other good performers with manual transmissions. You may be able to make something really fun with the GN. I always did like the 1-2 shift at full boost on my GN. Felt like I was going to fly.
When the throttle closes shut on a shift, there will be lots of pressure in the intake since the turbo is still going. A blowoff valve will help relieve the pressure. A BV that is exhausted back into the intake tract (instead of to atmosphere) might help with boost decay since the built-up boost will be recirculated instead of vented. Dunno how much this will help tho.
It's been tried and tested before. Results were slower ET. Stick with the TH200 for street strip duty. If you are going to race only, get a TH400. ElectraJim 86 GN 77 Electra 225, 455
Well, there's your problem, if your shifting a manual trans "properly" the gas pedal should be firmly planted on the floor.:Brow: :3gears: :laugh:
"gotta be good now powershift her she comes" The Beach Boys :TU: I think it would be a good project with the new transmissions and ball bearing turbos. Would have to be tuned a little different. Would not have to worry about how much boost the brakes could hold. Don't cut up a GN! Lots of TR's to mess with. On second thought go ahead and cut one up.... makes mine more valuable. :Smarty:
I agree with you. I still feel there is no reason why a GN with a 5 or 6 speed can't run as good or better then an automatic car. There are TONS of European and Japanese imports running very strong with manual trans, small displacement engines and turbos. Weight on most of these cars are pretty close to a GN as well. If you just stick a manual trans behind a stock GN engine yea it would probably not perform well, but if somebody actually sets the car up properly it should rip!!:3gears:
But that doesn't matter to GN guys-- the plainer the better. All my GN friends care about is that ET slip...
I gotta say, jamming gears in my Regal was very cool. Every once in awhile a real gear jammer would pick up on the fact that it was a stickshift car without looking. Very Cool!:3gears:
I think it would work because turbo technology has gone a long way and there is very little lag. even if i did put a conventional turbo that takes forever to spool up there are alot of great systems out there that would completely control exaust upon each shift. And besides it woulld be awesome to bang gears in a Regal! just wanna need to find a regal first.. doesnt matter what year either I love these Projects!
Dan, I was impressed when I first saw that car at the BPG Nats. I thought it was bad ass. You REALLY need to get it running again!!!:3gears:
