ShellbyDogg......5-Speed Tranny transplant ? or anyone with knowledge

[Bullitt-]

      I have a chance to get a 5-speed out of a '90 Dakota for $250....
          I would love a fine Tremec but that will never happen.
             Is there a better transplant candidate?

   Question : What is involved to bolt up to a 340 in an E-body? 


Also there is a local 77-Aspen 833 with all accessories for $475 but I'm betting it's for a /6 .  Would this be the short tail shaft A-body type?

[Chryco Psycho]

I have never tried that, sorry

[dtedler]

Well here is what I can elaborate on here.....The length of the transmission will tell if you will come into contact with the torsion bar cross member (you will have to determine how much fabrication you are willing to do at this point)  The shifter on the E-Bodies is offset in manual cars, which creates an adaptive issue to the internal rail shifted transmissions.  I have sold Tremec'  (B-Bodies transmissions) to folks that did not want to install the required 4 speed transmission "hump" and have the shifter in the middle of the transmission tunnel.  You may have to fabricate a new cross member - which is not a big deal.  If you need pieces (blanks) for a general template - I can waterjet cut some for you (cost is about $50.00) that you can fabricate your own mount from.  Note that you will have to cut / grind / weld to acheive the correct driveline angle.   

You can do this, it takes time and money for sure.  If you are mechanically inclined and can fabricate go for it.  One item to really consider is the future of your car.  The transmission is always the unassumed part of the build for any build.  Consider your future plans and research the torque capacities of the unit.  Different years may vary since technology and material science has come into play.  Sorry for the rambling on here.....

Feel free to ask questions, I'll give you an honest opinion and point you to the suppliers that I use for the Mopar kits the we sell.  This is not rocket science, it's just some good old applied math and the sourcing of the right parts to work together as a package.

Tony Edler
Classic Mopar 5 Speed

[ShelbyDogg]

Sorry Wade, I've looked at the Dakota 5 speeds in the junk yards and always see them on craigslist from 2wd dakotas very cheap, but I've never bought one. The only difference I saw was mentioned above; having a  shifter mount through the center of the tunnel, then using a bracket or swivel to mount the handle closer to the correct position.    I didn't want to start collecting more stuff that would sit around forever like my 2 518s that "I had to have"

I usually find factory 4-speed stuff in swap meets. So I've stuck with factory stuff on my 3 4-speed cars.

Rob

[Bullitt-]

Appreciate for your input Tony & Rob, I suppose I'll just cool my heals as it will probably be some time before anything like this would need to be done, who knows by then maybe I could afford the good stuff.

Thanks
Wade 

[ShelbyDogg]

who knows by then maybe I could afford the good stuff.
Thanks
Wade

The factory stuff was good stuff. I just realized that It's cheaper to stick with a factory 4 speed and throw in one of my other pumpkins when I want to change my driving habits. For the price of a 5 speed conversion, I could build a nice engine.

Rob