Manual Transmission

[garyp]

Hi I am working on a 1973 Challenger, when I purchased the car it had a 440 and auto trans. when I was taking the car apart I found that the car was originally a manual trans car still had the clutch pedal in it. my question is what manual trans would fit my setup ? would it make the car worth more with the original type trans in it ? I would like to have the 4 speed myself but is it worth it ? thanks

[djw383]

4spd = fun!

[DocMel]

I'm really over simplifying things, but a manual over a auto, to me at least, really eliminates the guess work out of converters and such.  And I believe you really get a better and more solid feel of the car and how it is running. Go hydraulic clutch, if you can.  It will really take the effort out of clutch use,

Try stop and go traffic w/o a hyd clutch:   We aint talking a manual 6-speed Nissan Versa here........

 

[Chryco Psycho]

Cars with manual trans in my mind are always more desirable & valuable ,
 You would need the factory A833 trans but an A833 OD can also be bolted in , it could run 3k or more to get all the parts though depending what you have

[dodj]

Take your auto and STICK IT! 

[TelisSE440]

Definitely worth it.As said above the Mopars with A-833 are more valuable than the same cars with A-727 auto trans. To me (I've driven very few autos) sticks are the best and don't require the auto's parameters, such as choosing the right torque converter.  Also if you like appearance, nothing can beat a pistol grip shifter. 

[JoeGrapes]

My car was originally an automatic and I changed it to a 4 speed. A muscle car just looks right as a 4 speed, plus there is no denying the wow factor when others look your car over and see the pistol grip shifter . The change over was really easy. Also, and maybe it's my age talking, but it's more of a pain to drive in city traffic.

[HP_Cuda]

Bang them gears!!!

[djw383]

A diaphragm clutch is nice alternative to hydraulic and you can eliminate the big spring under the dash....

[IroquoisPliskin]

.... Go hydraulic clutch, if you can.  It will really take the effort out of clutch use....

I have McLeods Diaphragm clutch and Hydramax hydraulic throwout bearing inside. Anyway I put into neutral  when stopping on traffic lights. Stop and go ist just killing ones left foot Throwing the gears in is not going as smothly as with a modern transmission. It's even quite brutal sometimes.
However the driving experience is ways better than wit an A727. It's worth every second of pain. 

[Falbz]

A diaphragm clutch is nice alternative to hydraulic and you can eliminate the big spring under the dash....

  I am running a McLeod diaphragm clutch and it is easy on the leg in traffic.  No complaints

[garyp]

been searching for a833 trans for my 73 challenger for a decent price, my questions is can I buy an a833 for a b body car and change the tail out with one for a e body ? and is it a easy swap ? thanks gary

[Chryco Psycho]

Yes , the dual shifter mount tailhousing will fit on a B body trans , no it is not an easy swap though , almost the enitre trans has to be disassembed to do this .  You may want to look at using the A833 OD version  , it is a bolt in with a minor tweak to the shifter linkage & the front brg retainer needs to be trimmed down in a lathe

[Sinatra]

The front bearing retainer on the overdrive 4-speed can also be replaced with the smaller-diameter retainers used on non-OD transmissions.  Make sure you get one with the larger bolt (4.16") pattern.

It's also worth noting that '71-up B-bodies already have the rear shifter mount, as do some '70s.  I've seen them both ways; I think it may have been a running change during the model year.  I have a 1970 trans from a B-body and it's got both mounting provisions.

[garyp]

thanks for the good info, so any  a833 with the rear shifter mount will fit my 73 challenger ?