Auto to Manual Swap Questions

[cleszkie]

I'm getting ready to drop in a fresh 383 SBC that will make 450hp and 475 ft-lbs at the flywheel to replace the tired mill in my Blazer. I was thinking that I might just swap out my TH350 auto for an SM465 manual to better enjoy the new engine. My questions:

1) Will I have to move my transfer case crossmember?
2) Will I have to move my engine mounts?

I don't have the donor tranny or adapter so I can measure them to see if they are the same total length as my TH350 tranny and adapter. Any knowledgeable experience is appreciated.

Thanks.

[1rippen6]

I have went from manual to automatic and did not have to move anything bolted right up. Just so you know you do not have to pull the pedal assembly just pull the hollow pin for the brake pedal install manual brake pedal and the clutch pedal goes thru the hollow brake pin if that makes sense. It will save you from unbolting MC and maybe just lower the steering column to make things easier.

[Blazer690]

Wireing issues no back up lights and neutral start

[cleszkie]

Originally Posted by 1rippen6

I have went from manual to automatic and did not have to move anything bolted right up. Just so you know you do not have to pull the pedal assembly just pull the hollow pin for the brake pedal install manual brake pedal and the clutch pedal goes thru the hollow brake pin if that makes sense. It will save you from unbolting MC and maybe just lower the steering column to make things easier.

1rippen6 - Thanks for the info. The pedal swap you mentioned makes perfect sense to me.

Originally Posted by Blazer690

Wireing issues no back up lights and neutral start

Blazer690 - Good points. I think the back up lights get wired to the reverse switch on the SM465. The neutral safety switch will just be disabled, allowing me to crank starter in all gears, unless there is a better solution that you know of.

[tjsblazer]

Originally Posted by cleszkie

I'm getting ready to drop in a fresh 383 SBC that will make 450hp and 475 ft-lbs at the flywheel to replace the tired mill in my Blazer. I was thinking that I might just swap out my TH350 auto for an SM465 manual to better enjoy the new engine. My questions:

1) Will I have to move my transfer case crossmember?
2) Will I have to move my engine mounts?

I don't have the donor tranny or adapter so I can measure them to see if they are the same total length as my TH350 tranny and adapter. Any knowledgeable experience is appreciated.

Thanks.

#1: No
#2: No

The differences in driveline lengths between Auto and Manual are made up with the adapter between the Tranny and Transfer. This keeps all cross member locations and driveshaft lengths the same.

BTW, your new motor sounds interesting. Did you purchase it or build it?

[cleszkie]

tjsblazer - Thanks for the additional info and confirmation. I am having the engine built. Torque curve will be flat enough to eat your lunch off of

[tjsblazer]

Originally Posted by cleszkie

tjsblazer - Thanks for the additional info and confirmation. I am having the engine built. Torque curve will be flat enough to eat your lunch off of

Very interesting. I just finished a 383 build the past few months. Thread in my signature. Always curious about engine details for reference. Could you share or PM me them?

[cleszkie]

tjsblazer - The following are some of the build specs:

Bore/Stroke: 4.040 x 3.750
Scat Nodular steel crankshaft
4340 Scat I Beam rods
KB forged pistons
Moly rings
Hydraulic roller cam; lift - .528 IN x .536 EX; duration @.50 - 220 IN x 224 EX
Dart Aluminum Heads; 70 cc; valves - 2.02 IN x 1.60 EX
Intake Runner Volume: 180 cc
Compression ratio: 10.1:1
Rocker Arm ratio: 1.6:1
Edelbrock Performer Intake

I will be reprogramming my current MSD Atomic fuel injection system, which also controls my timing through my MSD 6AL ignition box and locked out MSD dizzy. Fuel is supplied by in-tank pump with return system. All will flow through 2.5" mandrel bent stainless dual exhaust with cross-over.