TH400 to manual swap???

[nico]

As fuel prices keep rising, I'm seriously considering swapping my 383-powered 84 C10's TCI TH400 (manual valvebody/2900 stall/3500 RPM at 70mph) for a five or six speed trans. I've gone from manual to automatic in several vehicles, but never the other way...

Is there anything to look out for or anything I should know before hand?

What all will I need?

I'm very tempted to find an 85 or later wrecked truck and rob the entire pedal/clutch/trans setup... Were any of these available with an overdrive?

What trans would do well with 400 hp and 450 ft lbs.? What clutch setup? I've considered everything from S10 and C1500 five speeds to Camaro/Firebird units...Without going aftermarket, what works best? Is a six speed do-able?

What about shifter location and my original bench seat? What about the trans tunnel?

How hard is it to find a 400 flywheel to work with my 168 tooth starter?

What clutch setup: pre-85 mechanical or post-85 hydraulic? What about aftermarket pedal/master cylinder combo's?

Sorry for all the questions, but I want to know all I can before I decide either way...