What is the best way to convert an automatic to manual?
#281600
04/08/09 07:08 PM
04/08/09 07:08 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 254 Opelika, AL
JRs_Charger
OP
enthusiast
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OP
enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 254
Opelika, AL
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Ok, I have an original 70 RT Charger 440 Magnum/auto car. I'm growing rather tired of the 727 with no overdrive. I'd really like to put a late model 5 speed manual in it.
My car has clean original floors, so I want to keep permanant modifications to a minimum, but I know a piece has to be cut and replaced for the 4 speed hump.
My question is, what is the best (And least destructive) way to convert this original auto car to a manual trans? I hate to modify an original RT, but I'm never selling it and it would be much more fun to drive with a stick. Not to mention overdrive.
Is Keisler my only route? I've been offered a complete 833 pulled out of another Bbody, with pedals and linkages and everything, but then I still have 40 year old parts with no overdrive.
So what's the best way to go about this? And does anyone have a rough idea what the Keisler kits are going for? Or has anyone here had experience with one?
Last edited by JRs_Charger; 04/08/09 07:41 PM.
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Re: What is the best way to convert an automatic to manual?
[Re: CuriousYella70]
#281602
04/08/09 07:29 PM
04/08/09 07:29 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 254 Opelika, AL
JRs_Charger
OP
enthusiast
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OP
enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 254
Opelika, AL
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Yeah I think we've met on here before man. Your on the Charger board too right?
I've never heard of Passion's before. I'll look for them. I really want a manual tranny, and I really would like overdrive. My car sees highway crusing 99 percent of the time, not to mention how much fun it must be to drive a 440 4 uh, 5 speed.
Last edited by JRs_Charger; 04/08/09 07:37 PM.
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Re: What is the best way to convert an automatic to manual?
[Re: JRs_Charger]
#281603
04/08/09 07:36 PM
04/08/09 07:36 PM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,152 Colorado
CuriousYella70
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,152
Colorado
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Yeah, check out Passon's 4 speed set up, that's what im gonna be doing. It its a little more costly, but for what you get, along with the stock appearance its well worth it! As for our Chargers, they're kinda sisters Mine's Go-Mango, Burnt Orange Interior, White top and White Bumblebee Stripe, 440, auto, air conditioning, ect. Im getting rid of the auto, puting in a 4 speed just like you. I'm gonna keep the 8 3/4 for now and ultimately put in a Dana -- keep it as stock as I can, 4 speeds came with Dana's I believe
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Re: What is the best way to convert an automatic to manual?
[Re: Fury Fan]
#281608
04/09/09 05:21 PM
04/09/09 05:21 PM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,072 Farmland, IN
Ludington1
master
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master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,072
Farmland, IN
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I went with the TKO-600 from Keisler last fall and love it. It is in my 69 Coronet R/T convertible, I had the same feelings as you about doing it to this car but finally took the plunge. I will be the first to admit that I am no mechanical genius but I had a great experience. They answered all of my questions before the sale, the kit arrive 100% complete, the installation was straight-forward and well documented in the instructions, and they've been helpful after the sale when I've had a few random questions (like getting me the Ford part number for a new speedo gear to get it corrected). I can't speak for anyone else, but I'm a very satisfied customer, have a 3.73 Dana 60 rear and it is really nice cruising the highway at 75-80mph. Darren EDIT: The hyd. clutch master cylinder mounts where the original clutch rod would have gone through the firewall and the fluid reservoir mounts on the side of the brake master cylinder.
Last edited by Ludington1; 04/09/09 05:23 PM.
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Re: What is the best way to convert an automatic to manual?
[Re: Ludington1]
#281609
04/10/09 11:27 AM
04/10/09 11:27 AM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 227 Tennessee
rj8806
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 227
Tennessee
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Thanks Darren. The others are correct, do a search as this topic has been covered in the past. It's going to boil down to what you are looking for and your intended use of the car. Passon makes a heck of transmission and Jamie is a first class guy. He uses the A833 so it fits like the 833 is supposed to fit. The TKO kits we engineered fit as well. On the '66-'70 B-body cars, if it is an automatic, you have to install the 4 speed hump and clearance for it and that's it. Our shifter is located on the centerline of the tunnel but with our adapter, the handle still comes out in the console like it's supposed to. The TKO has more overdrive than the Passon unit but if that's not what you're going after, then your options are wide open. I will be glad to anwer any tech questions you might have, so ask away. Richard Tehc Support
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Re: What is the best way to convert an automatic to manual?
[Re: rj8806]
#281610
04/10/09 12:00 PM
04/10/09 12:00 PM
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 21,345 Marysville, O-H-I-O
70Cuda383
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 21,345
Marysville, O-H-I-O
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my big block dakota has a TKO-600 in it, and It's a joy to drive. only complaint I have is that I can't power shift it the way I want to, but its my first heavy duty transmission, so i'm used to light duty, lightweight transmissions, and I've been told that the beefier innards of the TKO just take a bit more time to "synch up" with the new gear/RPM, so shifts take a fraction of a second longer.
been a few times when I run it up through the gears, that I try to shift fast and it's like hitting a wall on the shifter, just won't go into gear.
but when driving around leisurely, it shifts so smooth, I don't even have to use the clutch!
overall, I really like it.
you can spend the money and get a modified bell like the one that keisler sells for an almost "OEM" fit, which would allow the use of mechanical clutch linkages if you really want it, but since they were not offering a kit when I put my truck together, I ended up using a lakewood "scattershield" or blow-proof bell housing, which is rather "generic" in it's shape, but functions perfectly. and I'm running a hydraulic clutch because surprisingly, no one made mechanical clutch linkage for a big block in a 98 Dakota!
hydraulic flex lines were much easier to route than trying to fabricate custom mechanical clutch linkages
**Photobucket sucks**
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Re: What is the best way to convert an automatic to manual?
[Re: JRs_Charger]
#281612
04/10/09 05:10 PM
04/10/09 05:10 PM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,688 Marlboro, NY, USA
Rick_Ehrenberg
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,688
Marlboro, NY, USA
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Jamie Passon's OD 833 is super beefy and, of course, fits like a glove.
Shafi Keisler's has one more gear, modern / smooth rail type shifting, and all tapered roller bearings - much less friction, quieter. In the 600 ft/lb version, I'd say strength is about equal to a red stripe (18 spl.) 833.
Kinda boils down to ya pays your money and takes your choice! I've run zillions of happy miles with each tranny.
Rick
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Re: What is the best way to convert an automatic to manual?
[Re: Tom_440]
#281616
04/13/09 04:49 PM
04/13/09 04:49 PM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,833 east side of Ohio
basketcase
master
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master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,833
east side of Ohio
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In my dealings with Jamie Passon are a great product, great service, and a Man that stands behind his work and product. Not that the other guy isn't as good, I just haven't delt with him. But I have heard the Passon OD is a bolt in, where th other requires mods.
Dave
1981 Dodge D150 360 auto
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