Hi im new to this forum and i have a 79 pontiac firebird ram air 4 specs my 400ci has been total modifiyed and im pushing about 425Hp and 500fpt my question is i want to convert it to manuel but do not know were to start. Im looking for something stock from another donor car that can handle Horse power. what year would i have to look for and as well what would i be looking for. The car right now is a Th-350 auto.
and has anybody ever done it before.

 

Finding donor cars with 4-speed setups is not as easy as it used to be- alot less G2 F-bodies out there in 2008. I'm in the process of doing the same thing to my '72 'bird (going from auto to stick). I bought about 95% of the parts needed to make the switch- manual GM trans, linkage, clutch pedal, clutch, pressure plate, steel flywheel, bellhousing, etc. i'm planning to get into it when the weather warms up.

I'm sure Im missing a few small parts (pivot *****, springs, etc.), but those will be alot easier to identify after the main parts are in. Probably a good idea too to make sure the e-brake is in good working order. It's not a bad idea to go with the performance parts since your motor is built (mine is too)-billet steel flywheel, steel racing bellhousing, good clutch kit.

I'll let you know how it goes when I start wrenching.

Geno

 

If that would be manual, it wasn't that easy. I think it would be much better to make some necessary measures like checking first for reliable stock donor car.