i plan on dropping a 350 in my 305 rs but want to convert to a manual trans. i have read about a t56 being the way to go but i still am not even sure if it is possible to change an auto to a manual without serious modifications. if anyone has any info about a trans swap i would REALLY appreciate it. where can i pick up a t56 and what kind of money am i looking at?
thanks

 

It is relatively easy to swap an auto for a manual transmission. You would need the tranny, hydraulics, pedals, center console, clutch, flywheel, and pressure plate, crossmember, etc. The swap to a T5 would be easier, than a T56. I had a 3rd gen I swapped from a T5 to a T56 but I must say that I don't think its worth it. The cost of a T56 is rapidly increasing as they get more rare, it is not a bolt in swap(close but not 100%), for the money that I spent on the swap I could have had my T5 built and withstand way more power, and is 50+ pounds lighter as well. Plan on spending $1500 or more on the T56 conversion unless you luck out and find someone who doesn't know what they are worth.

 

Chevy High Performance magazine has a couple issues detailing the installation of a t56 into a 3rd gen camaro. Check it out. There are a lot of helpful hints. You are looking at about $2000-2500 (plus the parts listed by the other dude)for a new t56. Look around the web. Go to The magazine web site and do a search for the article.

 

the only thing thats different from doing auto-manual or auto-auto, is you need to open the hole in the floor for your shifter, mount the slave cylinder up by the engine, and the only not so much difficult but time consuming part is mounting the new clutch and break pedals, but theres usually even a template for where to cut the hole for the clutch

 

There is an aftermarket t56 specifically designed to replace a t5. expensive, but the easiest way to go:

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...46/index2.html

http://www.sallee-chevrolet.com/sear...erms=T56+Retro