Looking for advice!

I inherited my brother's '75 Formula 350. He started the resto process, interior, etc. Running gear is all original. I will continue it the job, but like him, I don't intend for the car to be a trailer queen. I m interested in upgrading suspension and other items without detracting from the body lines.

The car has the original B-W 4 speed, and I am considering swapping to T-56 6 speed. The car cruises well, sees almost 15 MPG with the rebuilt engine, but begs for lower cruising RPM at 70 and 75. Plus the bottom end punch is not as strong as would like it to be. There is no center console, the car had the standard interior.

So, for the swap, I have these questions:

1. Does the tunnel need to be re-cut to accommodate the shifter?
2. What about the transmission mount location?
3. Clutch and flywheel: do they need to swap out?
4. Does the drive shaft have to be changed/cut?

Any other thoughts/advice would be helpful., too.

Thanks!

Mike

I would think the crossmember and driveshaft would both need some fabrication to work. I'm not sure about the shifter, but I would think an LT1 version, clutch and flywheel would probably work okay. Do the 2nd gen cars have a mechanical or hydraulic clutch setup (I'm assuming not hydraulic)? If it's mechanical you would probably need to install the hydraulic slave cylinder setup from a 4th gen.

I'm sure it can be done though since there are a lot of 3rd gens with T-56 swaps and a few corvettes and other GM bodystyles.

Thanks. As soon as I hit "send" I realized I might need to consider the clutch actuation mechanism as well. Mounting the clutch master cylinder may be a challenge. But you have given me some encouraging advice!

Which 350 is in this car? I just realized that this is a Pontiac from the actual Pontiac years. I don't know for sure that an adapter flywheel exists. If it's a small block Chevy, you'll be in decent shape for those parts.

Kevin,

Good point. It has the original Pontiac small block in it.

Mike

it will be much easier to swap in a TKO600 or other TREMEC 5speed.

Well this is all good inforamtion as I am trying to learn what will and won't work. So thanks all for the advice.

Mike

http://www.keislerauto.com/index.php?optio...;starterMake=gm

I know it's not a 6-speed but you may want to call them and see what they say about installing one.

This post has been edited by Rob Hood: May 6 2008, 01:04 AM

Great! I have made the call!. I can live with the five speed.

Mike

The factory clutch mechanism is mechanical with a bellcrank between the driver's side framerail and engine block. You'll probably need to fab up some hydraulic setup, such as something from the circle track or roadracing guys.