zeke's Monza

[zeke]

Clutch pedal effort was making the car uncomfortable to drive so I converted to a hydraulic clutch setup. Most people use a Camaro MC mounted on the firewall but the angle and length isn't ideal from what I've seen. I decided to modify the factory pedal bracket and add a Wilwood master cylinder to it.

3/4" bore master cylinder: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/WIL-260-12385

5/16" - 24 clevis: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/WIL-330-13192

4 AN to 1/8" - 27 MPT fitting: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/rus-660420

Howe throwout bearing for T5: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/HRE-82876

Howe remote bleeder kit: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/HRE-8287

Short supply hose: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/EAR-64191914ERL

4 AN male coupler: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/EAR-961504ERL

[zeke]

I used some 3/16" and 1/4" flatbar

[zeke]

I added some more thread to the MC shaft and shortened it

[zeke]

Worthwhile upgrade, pedal effort is probably a third of what it was

[zeke]

Video demo of the clutch setup

[zeke]

Some actual size templates to aid in the conversion

[zeke]

My old Muncie M20 wide ratio trans from the 70 Chevelle I had, has a 2.52 first gear ratio. 2.52 x 2.73 = 7:1 final first gear ratio. It's supposed to be at least 10:1. First gear lasted forever and it was hard to slip the clutch out without stalling the engine. Worked great in the A body with 4.88's. I got used to it eventually but it totally sucked, car is a slug.

I found an elegant solution in the form of a T5 custom combo transmission. It has a V8 Camaro gear case with the V8 gear ratios and a Chevette tail housing that puts the shifter in the correct location, is the approx. the same length as a Saginaw / Muncie and the trans mount is the same. It's a bolt in swap with the change to a 26 spline clutch disc but only works in the non world class configuration. I don't have huge horsepower or take my car to the track so it should survive.

T5 V8 ratios:

1: 2.95
2: 1.94
3: 1.34
4: 1
5: 0.63

2.95 x 3.42 = ~10:1

[zeke]

My OE flywheel was badly heat checked so I replaced it with a light weight Summit flywheel. Cost about the same as it would have cost to have mine turned and is 20 pounds lighter. Don't order a flywheel by application, the catalogs are wrong, you will receive a full size 168 tooth part.

[zeke]

The Chevette shifter was into the dash so I had to bend the stub shaft

[zeke]

The custom T5 is an inch shorter than the Muncie / Saginaw but the longer S10 rear end yoke meant the driveshaft worked out perfect

[zeke]

The Monza is a much nicer car to drive now, it was all worth it. The gear spacing is perfect and the clutch is comfortable to operate now.