Removing auto trans for manual

[Brittle]

I just purchased an automatic C6 trans 1969 Mach 1. I want to remove this transmission and install a 4 or 5 speed manual transmission. I have pretty good mechanical skills but haven't tackled something like this. Questions:

Will this adversely change the value of the car? Increase it?
Is there a “kit” available to do this project?
Is a 4 speed period trans a better choice over a newer 5 speed ?
If I move forward what trans and parts do you recommend?

Thank you all!

[Maxum96]

Will it change the value of the car? It depends on how original your car is. If it originally came with a C6 transmission, it's a big block car and those are more valuable. What condition is your car? If it's pristine, it might change the value for the worse. Whenever you modify a car, not everyone is going to care for your modification should you decide to sell. So this could potentially devalue your car somewhat. But if you car isn't original and is a basket case, this could increase it's value.

Are there "kits" available. Yes. There are number of companies that sell tranmissions and kits.

Is a 4 speed (top loader) better than a modern 5 speed? Most ways not. It's older technology and it only has 4 speeds. They cost almost the same used as a 5 speed does new, sometimes more. But, if you're trying to keep the car originally looking, or if your car was originally a 4 speed car, a 4 speed might increase the value.

[Brittle]

Thank you for the input. I should have added information about the car. It has the original 351W and came from the factory with a FMX but now has a C6. The heads and manifold are Edelbrock so it's not original. The car is otherwise pretty original, nice but not a ground up.

Any recommendations of the tranny kits?
What other parts get changed out? Drive shaft?

[Mustangerbob1]

If you have the space, just store the parts you take off, so it can always be changed back. The swap you are talking about does not permanently change the car.

My vote is the 5 speed, as the OD is nice, and you can buy a rebuilt 5 speed cheaper than an unrebuilt toploader, plus there are 133 (?) different toploaders, not even considering the SROD's, so getting the right one could be a challange.

Drive Shaft: Spring the bucks and get the CORRECT length shaft in aluminum, and have in balanced. I have no personal experience, but I have read that Crown Vic's make a good donor for the drive shaft.

You will also need a new speedo cable, depending on what transmission you use.

Another item is you can hook up an oil cooler and run in through the radiator bottom, where the existing trans cooler is already built in, just flush it well first.

If you have a console, it will need a different top plate.

Lastly, make sure you jumper the neutral safety switch wiring, or the car will not start after the swap.

Bob

[buening]

You will need a clutch pedal, you can trim the pedal metal pad of your current brake pedal and get the narrower brake pedal pad for manual trans cars, some sort of clutch actuation whether you choose to go with a cable or stock linkage or hydraulic, you'll need a new trans cross member, reverse backup light harness, new flywheel, new clutch and pressure plate, new throwout bearing, and it's likely that you'll need your driveshaft modified.

My 70 mach is going from the FMX to a 6 speed, so I've been slowly collecting all the parts needed. I would recommend going to www.moderdriveline.com to see what kits they offer for the 5 speeds. A T-5 may work OK behind your motor since it's fairly stock, assuming you don't have wide rear tires or slicks.

I too recommend keeping all the original parts you take off. I'll be doing the same with mine, although my trans is original to the car whereas yours is not correct.

[GolfBoy]

I've routinely switched out manual/automatic trannys. It's quite a bit of work, but it IS something you can do if you have some experience.
As for decreasing value - just keep the old parts! If you want to sell it, you can either include the original parts, or you can switch it back prior to selling. You're not making any permanent changes that can't be undone!

For my part, I'd go for the T5. Better gear ratios, better gas mileage and power.

[Brittle]

The longer I debate this project the more I want to do it. I've found some pretty good articles on the web with pictures that helps me understand the scope of this project. I'd like to have all the parts on hand and ready to minimize down time. I don't handle it well!

Thanks for your input

[gotstang]

Originally Posted by Brittle

The longer I debate this project the more I want to do it. I've found some pretty good articles on the web with pictures that helps me understand the scope of this project. I'd like to have all the parts on hand and ready to minimize down time. I don't handle it well!

Thanks for your input

Sounds like you might be a good canidate for a 5spd swap kit then. Modern Driveline or DarkHorse can set you up, but 4spd or 5spd, kit or no, it ain't a gonna be cheap.

One kit vendor I DO NOT like is Keisler, but that is a whole 'nother story...not to mention they are stupidly expensive.

[1971mach1]

I went thru the same delema about resale value. It really
only matters if you are going to sell it. So are you going to sell in a few years?
If so, probably better to leave it stock. If you're keeping it, then make it the way you want it. If you do it right, it may increase it's value. Well done resto-mods are getting higher prices in the auctions. The majority of the later models were automatics, so sticks are getting hard to find,,, even in new cars too. I heard that in 1971, only 1% of Mustangs were made with 4-speeds.
BTW, these cars are alot more fun to drive with a stick, I have no regrets. Definatly get a Hurst shifter, it's got the old school feel and looks cool.
With the 351, you may concider the Tremec TKO instead of the T-5,
alot stronger tranny. There is a beefy version of the T-5 (T-5WC??) that will handle 330ft/lb torque, that may be enough if your motor is mild.

[Brittle]

Did the math last night and looks like $2800.00 if I buy a kit from a vendor. Alot less if I take my time and buy good stuff with documentation off Craigslist.com and alike. Does not include my time of course.

Sound right?

[dobrostang]

The only thing I would watch for is there are a lot of T5s out there for sale and most of them are coming out of cars targeted automatics for the next episode of Pinks all out. I just purchased a T5 with new gears "one drag race" and 5000 street miles that only 1st gear is undamaged. I was warned by a rebuilder who said most of the T5s he gets have been trashed. Luckily the seller is being cool and taking it back. watch for a post on T5 and hp which should be interesting. I have a big-block toploader in my 66 with a 351w pulling 400 and 400 (custom input shaft). TOtally bulletproof but even with 3:50 gears in the rear end, a long trip (which they all are) to an autocross or club track event gets old quick with flowmasters. I am moving to an overdrive for sanity purposes - go there...

[Maxum96]

TKO500/600 would be bullet proof. Unless you're going to be driving it easy I wouldn't spend the time or money on a T5.