I want to drop either a 5 or 6 speed in my 1989 V6 firebird. I plan on doing engine work in the future (if gas prices go down) and I want to have it ready. My main concern is if I can keep labor and parts under $1000. Is it possible? If so, what are some good models that can handle a 350.

 

if youre gonig to keep the v6 engine in the car for this manual swap... im not sure if they made 4th gen 60* v6 6 speeds... but a 5 speed v6 swap would be straightforward i believe.
unless you could swap the bellhousing or if anyone knows how to get the 6 speed to match up it would rock. and in 6th if the rpms are too low just swap some 3.73s or 3.42s


about your 350 comment.. do you plan on popping a 350 in there at a later date? because if you put the new manny tranny in with the v6.... then want to go to a 350 down the line youre goingt o run into more work for yourself. may just want to save all that cash till later and do it all at once when the engine is out

 

Thanks. Sounds like 5 speed is best for me. I was also considering a supercharger more seriously now as well, rather than getting a V8. So if I got a 5 speed, what model am I looking for or what year would it be from?

 

the trans u want is a t5 from an 83-93 v6 i have one from a 92 camaro but i am not sure what it would cost to ship
i have everything for a swap except the clutch, pedals, master and slave

 

How far is Quakertown from Reading. I drive down there every summer? How much would you consider selling it for?

 

i am about a half hour from reading it is a brand new flywheel and the trans is good i was thinking 300 and that is with the bellhousing

 

I was just down there a month ago and I may be down in a month or so. I'll definately keep you in mind. I am checkinng how much labor for installation will be.

 

Remember, the V6 and V8 transmissions are not the same. If you swap now, and then do a V8 conversion, you'll need a different trans. I used to have guys come into the parts store I worked at and try this. There is not a clutch to adapt it that we could ever find and if you do, it will just break the transmission. It is rated for less torque than the V8 T-5 which can be a little fragile.

Have fun!

 

I wouldn't bother with it, save the money and buy a V8 car or if you really want to keep the car do a V8 swap, but you aren't going to make power with that 2.8. They just are not a good engine, a friend of mine built one up (we made fun of him the whole time), he put in flat top pistons, a bigger cam, ported the heads, upgraded to the newer roller rocker arms, all kinds of stupid stuff, and when he was done he still lost a race to a stock '89 RS 305 TBI. Not impressive, even a supercharger really isn't going to help that thing. It will be a lot of wasted money, especially if you are going to pay some one to do this for you.

Martin