Anyone here ever converted a 70/71 auto to a manual?

[uthustler]

in my search for an E-Body, 70 or 71 that is, I am not finding what i want with a manual, passed up a few auto tranny cars. Im wondering, does anyone know how difficult it is to convert a 727 car to say a Tremec 5 speed manual? If it isnt too too bad, i may consider some auto cars as well

[71fish]

Me too.. interested in this response.

71fish

[gkring]

Worst case the complete kit from Keisler www.keislerauto.com is $5000. 5 speed, flywheel, clutch, driveshaft, hump, etc. That plus your labor will get you converted. Of course you can shop and piece it out to get it cheaper with swap meet items, ebay, etc. Four speed kits even cheaper. many posts on the good and bad of the 5 speed conversions as far as fitment. I'd read up on them.

[Carlwalski]

I'd say it won't be too hard, no harder than doing a 74 built car. I'm more than likely going to be doing it on a 71 Cuda (The Keisler kit) and may upgrade to a Viper T56 Spec 6-Speed. I see plenty of 4-Speed cars around for sale and they're not as rare as I thought or hard to come by. Still, autos are everywhere too I guess.

[HP2]

The work itself isn't too bad to perform. A weld here, a cut there and you can get it all together. Don't forget that it will also require new carpet and, if equiped and desired, a new console.

[moper]

The devil (and $$) is in the details. The kits are available, but in no way should you be confident that it's a "bolt in" type kit. Chances are you will need some fabrication work. Costs are similar for a manual 4sp or aftermarket 5 or 6 sp if you use a rebult A833 and find all the parts. Most used parts type "kits" you see listed either have the wrong parts (like small block as opposed to big block in a big block kit), or are missing some things like the welded on frame bracket and firewall reinforcement. I wouldnt discount a deal on a nice auto car if the Keisler option is available (you have the  $$) to you.

[Chryco Psycho]

I have done lots of 4 spd conversions , & 1 5 spd , it takes a fair amount of work & all the correct parts & approx 24 hrs labor to convert

[Aussie Challenger]

  If going the 5spd, Keisler is the way to go, they supply everything and the clutch is hydraulic. If considering a 4spd because of price, Keisler or Brewers can supply what you need but only Brewers can supply the frame rail bracket needed. ( there could be others )
    

  A manual conversion will require a hole cut in the floor and a new shaped hump to be fitted which ever way you go.

  My Challenger when it arrives is to be converted to 4spd A833, I sourced most parts from both Brewers & Keisler, both companies are great to deal with, especially as I live in Australia. They were most helpfull. 

  Today is Wednesday here and I have just been told that my Challenger arrives Friday, it will take about a week to clear customs, then... 

[ShelbyDogg]

If you run across an AUTO car and it's everything you wanted, but without the 4 speed, by all means buy it and convert it to a manual.   It's really easy to find all of the parts needed for the swap.   Swap meets, ebay, Carlisle, Nats,  Parts are everywhere.
Well worth the conversion no matter if you 4, 5, or 6 speed it.

[Robb]

Did my keisler from an original autotranny car.   1 man job (except for the hood removal)  2 years ago.
 
its not that bad, but as mentioned its the little things that sneak up on you.   Give yourself more time than you think might need.  I also put in a different motor and steering box and had trouble with that.   Whole lot easier to match the tranny up to the motor outside the car, rather than from underneath, especially for a first fit.


I got stuck waiting on Kiesler to ship late, and then afterthat, I had troubles with aligning the bellhousing, had to get offset dowels and wait for those to show up.  Check all the parts when you unpack.

that being said:
Id do it again if I had the opportunity.   

[GreenFish]

I have the Kiesler kit on my cuda. It was an auto before. Me and a buddy did it in a weekend. It wasnt that hard, now it wasnt no oil change either but if you can pull a transmission and replace it, you can pretty much do this. The two hardest things are cutting the floor and lining up the bell housing on the block. But that you have to do with any manual transmission.

It definitly isnt "bolt in" But its not a complete and total custom fab job either.

Kiesler has pretty good customer service too. I have called them a few times with problems here and there and they always help me through it.