The Dodge Challenger Message Board

Hi, I have this 74 with 383 magnum and 727. Now I would like to convert this one to manual 4 speed with pistol grip. Is there anyone who knows were to find the parts, and if there is any major body work to make it fit?

Anders

Check out the ad section on Moparts for the transmission, if you're looking for a 4-speed. For a 5-speed transmission check out Passon Performance, Hurst Driveline Conversions, or Keisler.
Passon also has rebuilt 4-speeds and parts.

Look up Passon Performance or Brewer's for the parts, you may also find some on Moparts or eBay.

Apart from the transmission itself, you'll need :
- a manual tunnel sheetmetal transmission hump (many body parts shops carry this, for example Roseville Mopar parts). You'll need to cut up your tunnel and weld in the new hump.
- a bellhousing
- a flywheel (130 tooth-count)
- a set of pedals (brake and clutch, the accelerator pedal remains untouched)
- a shifter, shifter handle, rods, and hardware, such as this kit here
- a shifter boot
- a new carpet, the auto carpet won't fit over the bulge of the manual hump.

If you have a console and whish to retain it, you'll need manual console brackets, a new top plate, the hole for the manual shifter is bigger. The console left bottom side may need to be trimmed too, or you can buy a manual car console.

If you want the OEM-style clutch system, you'll need a Z-bar, a Z-bar bracket (must be welded on the left frame rail under the brake master cylinder), a clutch rod, rod boot, Z-bar hardware, clutch fork, spring, etc.
I would suggest a hydraulic throwout bearing. Less work and hassle than the Z-bar assembly, and much lower left leg effort (the OEM system is really hard on the left thigh...).

I'm probably forgetting some small parts...

If you cut up the floor cleanly, and keep the sheetmetal and brackets you remove, you or the next owner will be able to install them back in the car (I just rewelded the old floor parts in my car 2 months ago pretty easily).

You'll also need a clutch kit. there are dozens to choose from. With a 383, unless you want to do drag racing with slicks, I'd recommend a Centerforce dual friction kit with the correct number of splines for your trans.

The floor needs to be cut, but that's not too much of a problem if you can weld.


The easy way would be to get a 5-speed kit all at once, I'm not sure piecing up a kit yourself with a used A-833 will be much cheaper once you have everything.

If you go for a used transmission, be sure to get an e-body trans, the A-body have a shorter tailshaft housing.

You're dead right about the ease and cost of a full conversion package Fabien.
The trans hump, pedal box, all linkage etc makes a lot of sense, you have to pay a hefty amount in one go but you'll pay more by doin the job piecemeal and usually have more than one installation issue due to mismatched parts. In that case I'd follows Fabiens advice again and get a 5 speed Tremec conversion package, wll worth the money.
Considering where you are you could do worse than to contact SixPack Speedshop