Troy! Where can I find a 4-speed trans cheap?

[Mopar440+6]

I can't find a 4-speed transmission anywhere! Does anyone know where I can find one?


*Troy chases me down with a shotgun*     (If you want to understand the previous BS ask Troy or myself about the 4-speeds at Carlisle)


Anyway in all seriousness, I'm considering doing the 4-speed swap. I have always been in love with manual transmission cars but I've never driven 727 car with a reverse manual valvebody in it. I also like the idea of having a 5-speed in my Charger. My questions are for those of you who have a 4-speed car or have done the auto -> manual swap are:

Is the car more/less fun to drive?
Is it worth it?
Whats a rough cost estimate for doing a full swap? (Dont think youre gonna scare me either I already understand that its gonna cost an arm and a leg.)

[Silver R/T]

did you look at local junk yards, fastbackjon got his for only $50 out of van

[inhrmswy]

If its any help Ive got a shifter mechanism I can part with, the handle has been chopped down to about half the original size but it worked just fine in my car.  I can take pics if youre interested.

[BrianShaughnessy]

4 / 5 speeds are infinately more fun to drive than a slushbox     

My 5 speed is nearly broken in now - I'll be changing the fluid soon.   I did the 4>5 speed but 471Magnum did the auto>5 speed and he had a big writeup back on d-c. 

If you got the $$$$ and the time then the 5 speed is worth the hassle.   Keisler is the place to get everything in a kit but just beware of some customer service issues... the product itself is great.     You can avoid welding in a hump and you can use your auto console with a modified top plate.   The OD is worth it ( to me at least ) if you plan on driving any actual distances but to each their own.

Ooops... gotta run.... the slushbox lovers crew is coming with pitchforks and a rope 

[Ghoste]

Slushbox?  That's a Chevy term innit?

[kab69440]

I know someone who has one, Bry...

[Troy]

I can't find a 4-speed transmission anywhere! Does anyone know where I can find one?

Yes.

Anyway in all seriousness, I'm considering doing the 4-speed swap. I have always been in love with slushboxes but I've never driven 727 car with a reverse manual valvebody in it. I also like the idea of having a 5-speed in my Charger. My questions are for those of you who have a 4-speed car or have done the auto -> manual swap are:

Is the car more/less fun to drive?

Are you going to spend a lot of time in traffic? Consider a hydraulic clutch. Are you going to drive a lot on the highway? Consider the 5-speed or an overdrive 4-speed. A gear vendors overdrive behind an auto trans will give you benefits in both of the above situations and the cost is about the same. If you get an OD you can put higher (numerically) gears in the rearend for neck-snapping fun without running at 3,000 RPM on the highway.

Is it worth it?

That's for you to decide. I've only owned 3 automatic cars in my life and one is my tow vehicle. If I were you I'd put quarters on my car first...

Whats a rough cost estimate for doing a full swap? (Dont think youre gonna scare me either I already understand that its gonna cost an arm and a leg.)

That depends. I have a list around here somewhere that I can post in the Tech Archives (right after I create that). So far, I have about $1,300 in mine and I still need a z-bar, reverse light, clutch, pp, and throwout bearing. You can buy a later model OD trans for much less than an 18 spline one and a little cheaper than a regular 23 spline. The 5-speed won't be cheap either way but you can get everything new in the box which is handy for people who hate chasing down parts. See the Keisler site for the latest prices or track down Rolling Thunder to see what he bought. If you have a console car you need to find a way to make the top plate or fork over $$$ to buy one. I skipped that by selling my console to offset the cost of the trans. I like the way it looks better but not everyone does.

Troy

[Badbob]

I have a free one but it comes with a $10,000 basket case.

[Troy]

I have a free one but it comes with a $10,000 basket case.

Troy

[69charger2002]

i've got one.. it's in a 69 charger i just picked up. the roof is GONE, but it's a restorable legit 4 speed car. i'd sell it for $4000 if anyone is interested.. kind of high or a 4 speed tranny i know, but just think, you'd have linkages, flywheel, pedals, hump everything. PLUS a car.. oh and it has a stuck 68 440 in it
trav

[Silver R/T]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&category=34208&item=4562967711

[pete]

Mopar440+6,

We are kind of in the same boat.  We are also llooking for a stock A-833.  Our car was converted to a Keisler 5-spd about 2 years ago and has about 300 miles on the new transmission.  It's a great conversion, but we are kind of sticklers when it comes to being stock.  If you are interested, we'll give you a GREAT deal on the Keisler 5-spd conversion.

Pete

[BigBlockSam]

it takes some time and dedication to the search. i got alot of the parts from ebay but i went through all the parts rebuilt, cleaned and painted everything. clutch kits can be bought from jegs and summit. i got all the parts for about $2000 . i even bought a repro floor hump and welded it in. so if you look under the carpet it looks factory. Rene