'72 Vega V8 Swap - Transmission/Shifter question

[Corellian Corvette]

Hello again fellas!

Still doing research/buying parts for my '72 V8 Swap. I have purchased the Monza bellhousing and the smaller 153 tooth flywheel and 10.5 in clutch.

Now I'm wondering about the transmission. I'm getting a Saignaw free as part of the 350 I'm using for the car. So I'm inclined to use the saignaw. I notice the Opel/Vega 4-speed in the car has the shifter in the center, while Saignaw/Munices are off to the side.

Is there a shifter (offset) I can use to not cut a hole in the floor? I've seen offset "handles" but I'm not super familiar with all the vintage shifter options.

What would you guys recommend as far as tranny and shifter goes?

Thanks again everyone!

[Smiley]

For a 4 speed in a 4 link Vega I prefer a Muncie or a B&W super T10, but if it is free a Saginaw will work but it is a bit heavier due to the cast iron case.
The Opel shifter hole will be too far forward for the above 4 speeds Hurst shifters.
The stock Monza shifter is not generally used for high performance.
Hurst Super Shifter is My first choice, it sits high next to your right knee.
Hurst Competition Plus was offered for Saginaw 4 speeds, it hugs the trans more and sits lower.

[Corellian Corvette]

Thanks Smiley!

So I'm clear - I'm going to cut a hole no matter what? There is no transmission I can get (or transmission/shifter combination) with a V8 using Don Hardy mounts, that will end up in the factory hole?

I want to ask that since I don't mind doing it right the first time.

Otherwise (meaning, if I have to cut anyway) I might as well use the free transmission.

Separately - is there a difference in WHERE the hole will be cut when using a Saginaw vs. a Muncie vs. a BW t-10? Or if I cut the hole for one.

And finally - what about something like a T-5 from a 3rd gen Firebird/Camaro? They have the shifter in the center... I'm not setting this up for big power anyway...

[Smiley]

Look here http://forums.h-body.org/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=11957
and here http://forums.h-body.org/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=31512

the shifter hole for the Opel trans is farther forward than the later cars that came with Saginaws.
There is a shorter tail shaft for the T5 or T50's that works in the later cars but probably not enough for the Opel hole.

[Corellian Corvette]

Great, thanks.

My lack of knowledge around Manual shifters means I'm likely up for a lot of trial and error, given all the varieties of transmissions and shifters available.

To clarify - is the new hole the same regardless of Muncie, Saginaw or T10?

[Smiley]

"is the new hole the same regardless of Muncie, Saginaw or T10?" Yes

Muncie


Borg Warner Super T10


Saginaw 4 speed

[Corellian Corvette]

Thanks again for all your help. Much appreciated.

Spent a lot of time with the hurst catalog and summit racing trying to figure out what shifter/handle combination to get! Lots of choices!

[Smiley]

Hurst Ram Rod in Wiseguy's Vega

[Smiley]

Hurst Street Super Shifter on a Muncie 4 speed in Peter Pan's Vega

[Smiley]

for the least cutting:
The Hurst competition plus shifter for a 73-79 Nova will offset the stick 2" to the right, closer to center of the hump.

Hurst Comp Plus 4 Speed shifter Kit 1973-79 Nova Chevy II with Saginaw 441 trans
Comp Plus Shifter 3917875
Hurst Comp Plus Installation kit 3738606


this is a Super Shifter see how high it mounts on the trans to use the straight rods and short stick, it will poke out of the tunnel.



this is a Competition Plus for an early Camaro on a Muncie but see how low the shifter body sits, the rods have to go uphill to the levers

[Corellian Corvette]

Seriously, you are my hero. This is fantastic, and the direction I'll be going. Thank you again!

EDIT: Looking up that kit, it does not list that it works for Saginaw in the Summit catalog. Can this still be used or is it Muncie only?

EDIT AGAIN: I'm dumb. Found the Saginaw one.

[Smiley]

What 153 tooth flywheel are you using ?
I would suggest an L88 type 16 pound model.
it takes a 10.5" clutch and can now be had for one piece or two piece rear main cranks as well as the externally balanced 400/383's.
With small street tires on a hydraulic lifter 350 V8 powered Vega it works very well, but for a solid lifter high RPM engine get a billet steel flywheel.
Chevrolet Performance still makes these $210 from Summit
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-14085720/overview/

Zoom makes a cheaper version. $75 from Summit
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-700190/overview/

[Corellian Corvette]

Smiley you are helping me SO much. I very much appreciate it!

I don't have the flywheel yet. I just pulled mine tonight to see if I have a compatible one (I do not), so this post is very timely!

Turns out I'm actually swapping in an old 283 from an Impala (which is fine, like I said it's free!) so for now the lightweight flywheel sounds perfect. My buddy already picked up my clutch for me.

[Smiley]

Most 283's will not have the threaded holes in the front of the heads, keep that in mind when choosing alternator brackets.

With the Competition Plus mount and rods using a 72 Chevelle offset shifter body you might get by with a small hole up top and some massaging from underneath with a hammer for tunnel clearance.
With a Hurst Super Shifter or a Hurst Ram Rod Shifter you may need to "expand" the tunnel in the shifter area.
64 to 67 Nova floor shift hump is the closest thing I have found to make a boot mounting area from other than scratch. $45 from Goodmark
http://www.goodmarkindustries.com/chevrolet-nova-1967_p-129-4-speed-floor-shifter-hump-64-67-chevy-ii-welds-to-floor-with-floor-shift-mt-4010-507-642.aspx

[hammerdown7]

After all this great info from Smilely I have another possibility. A T-5 5-speed from a later model S10 V6. The shifter position is much closer to your Opel trans. Instead of being near the tail shaft, it's closer to the center of the trans and like all T-5's have an integral shifter. It should come with the bell attached.

Dick