I’ve been looking & looking but just can’t seem to find a (Needs to be 67’ / 68’ ) 4 speed Cat within my budget ( $7500 ) .
I’m looking to build a TRANS-AM Clone. So it need only have a mim. of rust . Interior of little importance ( but needs to have good wiring ) since it will be in race mode. But all I can find are tons of Auto. What’s a fair amount to budget for to have a good shop do the conversion ( East cost Labor rates would apply to where I live ) to a 4 (or 5 ) speed , PARTS NOT INCLUDED ! Yes I know they did not have 5 speeds in 67 / 68 . So lets call it a semi-T-A Clone if you need to .
Can any one recommend a Cougar friendly shop within 250 miles of Philly PA. ???
I wouldn’t sweat it since I want to shoehorn a 6 speed into my project (when I get one).
With the custom crossmembers, like the ones from American Powertrain, I don’t believe it requires any modification to the transmission tunnel.
Others can get into specifics as it isn’t something I have tackled. Then you have to decide what type of clutch you want.
Good luck with your project.
A lot of it is going to depend on how stout of a transmission you want. New or used with a fresh overhaul? “Big Name” shop, or reputable individual for the overhaul if you go that route?
I can ballpark you what it took for me to swap from 4 speed to 5 speed: $1500. That’s with a fairly stout T5(for a T5), new crossmember, 4 speed bellhousing adapter, and driveshaft trimming. I already had the clutch pedal, and clutch actuation system in place.
YMWV with an auto to manual swap.
Good luck!
There are a ton af variables with the swap you describe. To ballpark it, price out the parts you want (you’ll want to provide those anyway, unless you want to pay the shop rate while they figure it all out for you), then figure 8-10 hours of labor to do a basic 4 speed conversion using stock parts. Add labor hours if you are running headers, or are swapping to a 6 speed, hyd. clutch, etc.
Go to Modern Drivetrain and you can price out pretty close to what the parts are going to cost you depending on what you want.
http://www.moderndriveline.com/catalog/product_catalog.htm
I assume the advantage in going to the 5 speed is the 5th. gear being over drive . I’m looking to install a 400 hp motor , ( few , but some yearly trips to my " Classic drag " events.) Other then that a few day trips to other car shows . What would be my advantage in a 6 speed over a 4 or 5 speed ?
I went from a 3 speed MT to a 5 speed. I used the Mustang Steve cable clutch conversion pieces.
http://www.mustangsteve.com/cable.html
Plan on doing a ring and pinion conversion when going to over drive. I installed a 3.50 traction lock and 9 inch rear end (31 spline axles). 1969-70 Cougar 9 inch rear ends are an exact fit, you would want to keep in mind the axle brake line from the year of car you get it from. This normally gets 2 inch rear brake shoes, which is an upgrade from the 1-3/4 inch rear brakes found on 1967-68 Cougars.
Check your application, but I was able to use a stock drive shaft from a 1969/70 Cougar with FMX. My 9 inch center section came from a Bronco so it had a 1330 yoke. I used a combination U-joint to use the 1310 yoke on the FMX drive shaft. Your results may vary, so use care in making the measurement for the driveshaft.