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Manual transmission conversion?

D

Dave-ROR

Has anyone attempted a MT swap into a TTA? I'm looking around for a new project/fun car and have been watching TTAs for many years but absolutely hate driving automatics. I wouldn't do the swap to a mint car for value reasons, but I good runner would be an ideal candidate IMO.

It's obviously been done on the V8 3rd gens but I haven't seen any TTAs with a manual... yet.

Thoughts?

Thanks!
 
I have never seen one done to a tta. I think it is difficult to maintain boost when you shift the manual trans. I am not sure on this though.
 
You know ZF6 speed out of period corvette. I think PAS did one and it went 181mph!
It would be awesome, put it on a 2 step your ready to go any speed instead of foot braking.

LT1 T56 6spd might work? I think the 6 is standard chevy bell housing.
 
Dave-ROR said:
Has anyone attempted a MT swap into a TTA? I'm looking around for a new project/fun car and have been watching TTAs for many years but absolutely hate driving automatics. I wouldn't do the swap to a mint car for value reasons, but I good runner would be an ideal candidate IMO.

It's obviously been done on the V8 3rd gens but I haven't seen any TTAs with a manual... yet.

Thoughts?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Scott Kelly was talking about this at the reunion and i think they said they tried it but had a bad vibration problem they couldn't solve, not sure as i didn't stay and listen to the whole conversation, how bout it Mike? i know you stayed and heard it all...
 
robert lee said:
Scott Kelly was talking about this at the reunion and i think they said they tried it but had a bad vibration problem they couldn't solve, not sure as i didn't stay and listen to the whole conversation, how bout it Mike? i know you stayed and heard it all...
Click to expand...

I think I video recorded most of Scott Kelly's presentation and I know Jan did also. Maybe I should dig the video out and review it. Or then again Jan might know!

Robert you are talking about Scott's presentation in the Jegs Suite aren't you?:coffee:
 
Good info so far!

jarred: definately not worried about boost dropping when shifting. I'd use the car for a driver and occasional HPDE usage.

Mr.Vintage: Based on some really quick research the T56 and ZF6 have a different bellhousing bolt pattern, so if the ZF6 bolts up to the turbo6 block I'd guess the T56 wouldn't.. not without an adapter and maybe some machining anyways. Looks like some Vette guys have done the opposite (LSx to a ZF6), I'll have to look around to see if anyone has use a T56 on the older engines.

Rat: Thanks for the article! Too bad there's not more detail :(

Robert/TTA984: If you guys find out anything from the Video or from Scott Kelly please post it up!

Selling one of my cars soon, after which I'll have the garage space to start a new project.. either going to be an old car, a 911 or a TTA with a MT at this point.
 
TTA984 said:
I think I video recorded most of Scott Kelly's presentation and I know Jan did also. Maybe I should dig the video out and review it. Or then again Jan might know!

Robert you are talking about Scott's presentation in the Jegs Suite aren't you?:coffee:
Click to expand...
Yep, the Jegs suite, i left halfway through it; was a little claustrophobic in there
 
The early T56 (from LT1 engine, camaro/firebird) is same bolt pattern as old SBC. Which is the same bolt pattern as our TTA's. Just not sure of input shaft and push/pull clutch assy......
 
Another thought (just thinking out loud here) what about a T-5 out of same period Camaro/Firebird. Everything should bolt right up. The T-5 is stout enough to handle the turbo 6....... If not the World Class T-5 is for sure
Interesting Topic
 
The bell housing pattern on our 3.8l is BOP. Chevy will not work without an adapter. Same reason they did not use the 700 R4 which was only built with Chevy pattern. Only factory manual bellhousings for BOP I know of were 70's and early 80's 4spd.
 
TKO 500 + BOP bellhousing + 4.11 gears could work. Yes, rowing gears is fun, but is it worth making the car slower?
 
I think that would be a fun combo on winding roads.

Like Decker Canyon Road - California State Route 23.
 
Having owned 25 or so trans ams,This being my 1st TTA...I think the combo would be a beautiful thing,But how many TTA owners are willing to sacrifice there originality?..well If you dont mod anything that is not reversible and you keep all the original parts,I dont think it would hurt anyone...A 6 speed is the first thought I had after buying it..Might be slower at the track,But It would be fun in the street.
 
Cutting the hole for the shifter is the part I would regret. You could put it back to original, but the remnants of that hole would still be there.
 
First two prototypes built by Pontiac with some help from Buick engineers at the time way back in 86 or so were one automatic and one manual ... both white ...

Manual one was a pain to drive and the automatic one beat it every single time I was told by Bill Owen recently.

The HO TTA with the manual worked pretty good apparently and I think Bill said that one of the few people that could drive it properly at a track were Bobby Unser (I'm sure he said it was the HO and not the very early prototype).
 
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