[John Boelte]

Hi folks! I was recently bitten by the "Let's build a race car" bug. I'm looking at a 3rd gen that's already gutted. I'm thinking about using a mild 350 (read inexpensive), TH350 trans, stock 9 bolt rear, and focus on suspension and brakes. Since it's already gutted, I was thinking about putting in a weld in roll cage and race seats. It's a T-Top car, would a cage help there? Would there be other issues related to T-Tops I should be concerned about?

It looks like this is the type of forum I was looking for. Are there any links to other build sites or forums where I can find more information on building up a race car? Thanks!

[nape]

I do prefer a manual transmission. My thinking is that TH350s are cheap and easy and fairly tough. I'm guessing I could get a TH350 for around $500. The car is an automatic car, so I would have the cost associated with converting everything over (flywheel, clutch, master cylinder, pedal, etc.) to contend with in addition to purchasing a manual transmission. I'm guessing $1000 - $1500 for a rebuilt 5 speed?

Is the durability of a manual really that much better than an automatic? I'm guessing about $3000 to put a manual in that car versus $800 - $1000 for an automatic. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

Just a little tranny info as someone else with a 3rd gen. I smoked my 700R4 the first time out, so I trust autos about as much as I trust Sally Struthers with a carton of snack cakes.

Anyway, when I started getting out of drag racing this past spring, I found someone willing to trade a stock rebuilt TH350 swap setup straight up for a full T5 swap. I think I had $450 in the TH350 setup. After that I had to go get a 1pc rear main seal flywheel (87+) which I found used for $35 used + $25 to surface it, $120 for a stock-quality clutch/PP/TO bearing, $5 pilot bushing, and that got the manual trans in the car. The hydraulics need to be replaced or at least put in a new line in, another $100 for LT1 setup ready to go from GM Parts direct. All together, I've spent a little over $800 on the swap (I needed a VSS too), but I would've spent at least that to build a decent automatic trans not to mention the extra maintenance cost of the automatic (a dozen quarts of fluid vs. 4 qts), torque converter, manual valve body, etc.

The only way (I can see) you could spend $3k to put a manual trans in one of these cars is if you had a built T56 or TKO put in, which you don't need unless you're making a lot more power. If you don't mind used, it's saved me a lot of money.