Auto to 4 Speed Conversion

[Risko1]

I just won't be satisfied with an Auto Mopar Nuf Said! Therefore I need to find a somewhat affordable way to convert my 73 318 auto with a 3.55 rear to a A-833 manual. Keisler is out of the question due to the expense.

Has anyone used one of these conversion setups?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330168733859&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:MOTORS:1123

What is a realistic conversion man hr time to do this job? Additional Expenses??? Parts?

Thanks
Richard

[73Chally]

The price seems a little high, especially with shipping, but does include most of what you would need, except that you would have to replace the BB bell housing with a SB.  You would also need a new/modified drive shaft.  Not too sure on man hours to install, but should not be too bad if you know what you are doing.  If you really want to do a swap (I totally agree), you might do better price-wise picking up the parts individually.

[ksierens]

You would also need the Z-bar bracket, and weld it to the frame.

[Pistol Gripper]

I can't get to eGouge from work, what's the guy's username ?  What's the price too, I'll see if it's the same guy I bought mine from.

P.G.

[73Chally]

I can't get to eGouge from work, what's the guy's username ?  What's the price too, I'll see if it's the same guy I bought mine from.

P.G.

Mopar3401 / BIN $1,999.99 + Shipping from Mobile, AL

THIS IS A BIG BLOCK 4 SPEED CONVERSION FOR AN E BODY OR A 71-74 B BODY. THIS IS A SUPER NICE SET AND INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING: A 23 SPLINE 833 TRANS, THE SHIFTING RODS WITH MOUNTING EARS, A HEAVY DUTY BILLETT SHIFTER MOUNTING PLATE, A HURST SHIFTER MECHANISM, A MINT, SHOW QUALITY PISTOL GRIP HANDLE WITH WOOD GRIPS, Z BAR, BIG BLOCK BELLHOUSING, A MINT 4 SPEED HUMP, AND THE PEDAL KIT WITH THE ROD THAT RUNS THROUGH THE FIREWALL. AS I SAID, THIS IS A SIMPLE CONVERSION AND IS A SUPER NICE SET. I ALSO HAVE SMALL BLOCK SETS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. ALL PARTS HAVE BEEN CLEANED AND PAINTED AND ARE READY TO INSTALL. PICS REALLY DO NOT DO THIS SET JUSTICE ESPECIALLY THE PISTOL GRIP. BUYER PAYS SHIPPING. MONEY ORDERS OR CASHIER CHECKS ONLY. AS IS.

[Pistol Gripper]

Yep,

Same guy I got mine from.  All the parts were in really nice shape, especially the shifter,  I doubt I'll ever see a nicer one.  The guy crated it up solid and everything arrived in good shape.

I'd look at getting the sheetmetal firewall support for the pedals too.

P.G.

[73Chally]

PG - How is this for a current price?  I did the same thing last year, but it was done in conjunction with putting in a 440, so I'm not sure what the actual 4 speed swap cost was, but it looks like I paid around $1,200 for the parts, but I don't believe that covered the rebuild, gaskets, and other misc parts.

[Risko1]

Thanks for the useful info guys. I can use all I can get although I will have help doing the conversion he is not real familiar with Mopars. Chevy guy

Why do I need to modify the drive shaft? Length problem???
Would something like this work or would I be better buying a different shaft? What do kind of drive shaft do I need?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mopar-Drive-Shaft-Cuda-Challenger-Duster-Dart-GTX_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34208QQihZ019QQitemZ290173902265QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[73Chally]

You will need a new drive shaft because the length will be different.  Unfortunately I can't remember if it needs to be shorter or longer.  The best bet is to wait until everything is installed and on the ground, then measure for the final drive shaft length.  I know for mine they used an old C-Body shaft that was cut down.  Any number of shops will probably have old ones sitting around that you could get for a few bucks and cut.  I believe you should be able to use the yoke off your original, and weld it back on (as long as the diameters are the same). 

[Risko1]

Seller is not flexible on price at all. Not even discounting the ebay fees to sell direct!

[Scatterbrain]

My 73 was also an auto conversion done by the previous owner.  Unfortunately nobody here has mentioned the transmission tunnel will have to be modified.  Mine was done with aluminum cans and resin    .  I think you may have problems fitting the 4 speed into the tranny tunnel of an automatic.  Be prepared there is always something else that pops up while doing this.

I actually got rid of the 4 speed and put in a Richmond 6 speed.  Labor (I don't have a lift and man is this way easier with a lift) was about 450 and required some massaging of the new crossmember that came with the tranny.  With the Richmond I had to have the driveshaft modified.  I took it to a local shop that did it in a day for about 120 including balancing and new u-joints.

[Scatterbrain]

Crap, just saw the tranny hump in there. 

[73Chally]

One additional item not included is a new transmission crossmember.

Like Scatterbrain said, the biggest alteration needed is to cut out the floor and tunnel section where the new 4 speed hump goes in.  With the exception of the different tunnel and the need for the Z-bar (included) attachment, all E bodies, whether automatic or manual, were built the same, so you only have to locate the proper mounting locations on the firewall for the peddles.

[Challenger6pak]

You will need a new drive shaft because the length will be different.  Unfortunately I can't remember if it needs to be shorter or longer.  The best bet is to wait until everything is installed and on the ground, then measure for the final drive shaft length.  I know for mine they used an old C-Body shaft that was cut down.  Any number of shops will probably have old ones sitting around that you could get for a few bucks and cut.  I believe you should be able to use the yoke off your original, and weld it back on (as long as the diameters are the same). 

I haven't done this conversion for years.  If memory serves me right (and I could be wrong) The 904 driveshaft was one length and the 727 and the 4 speed were the same length.  Transtracman (sp) or anyone know for sure?

[73Chally]

I haven't done this conversion for years.  If memory serves me right (and I could be wrong) The 904 driveshaft was one length and the 727 and the 4 speed were the same length.  Transtracman (sp) or anyone know for sure?

Now that I think of it you could be right.  I had to get a new drive shaft regardless because I was going from a SB 727 to a BB 4 speed.