automatic coloumn to 4 or 5 speed

couple questions about the swap:

1. When switching to a 4 speed from the above mentioned automatic and a bench seat would I be able to keep the bench seat?

2. Would I be able to keep a bench seat with a Richmond 5 speed or TKO 600? Do they sit back further in the tunnel?

 

Go with the 4 speed and wear a diaper if you plan on hitting 2nd gear very hard the 4 speed makes the Buick a torque monster.

 

1) 4spd & bench seat - no problem
2) u may have to notch/redesign the middle of the front seat base to accomodate the 5 spd.

 

4 speed no problem; 71 & 72 convertibles required bench seats, 4 speed was on 78 of them in 71 and 66 in 72, (except for those VERY few SCO cars)

 

I had a 69 Chevelle that came with factory 4 speed and bench seat. You just need the right shifter handle. It curves forward then back. I think I have one if you need a picture.
Russ

 

Im not sure about Richmond but Tremec (TKO) offer a shifter relocation kit for their Tri-Five conversions. On top of the Tremec theres two "plate" looking things. The further back one traditionally holds the shifter, but the relocation kit allows the shifter to be moved to the front plate. This would probably locate the shifter even further forward than a 4speed. But with the wide range of shifters available that shouldnt be a problem.


It was made specifically to accomodate a bench seat.

 

Ed from West Chester PA. did thie 5 speed swap, he said it went well. Here is a picture

 

thanks for the information so far guys. Good pic thanks Jim.

I had a deal on a 4 speed car fall through. Really wanting to row some gears and since I have put alot of work into my current car I am looking to just go another step further.:Brow:

 

I posted a reply in the U-shift em section for all the available options to go 4+ gears.

Any manual trans-plant in a BOP will cost 5k-7k depending on the quality of parts.

I say go with a 5 or 6 speed. LS1 input shaft, viper main shaft, kevlar syncros, bronze shift forks, and nice gaskets, then you have a 800hp trans. Mate that up witha conversion kit to a SFI muncie Bell, and a Mcleod clutch, and youre in business.

 

yes i see thanks.

I got an online quote from Kiesler on there top complete kit from my current setup to a TKO 5 speed $4500 including shipping

 

my buddie's was 4800.

Its an OK deal i guess. Pretty expensive no matter what.