| Just finished converting my pearl white Z from an automatic to a 5 speed. The job wasn't that hard - most of the info that I found in search was pretty accurate and the swap was pretty straight forward. Here are some of the points I thought were worth mentioning: There has been a lot of discussion about intalling the stock MT brake pedal versus simply cutting down the existing AT brake pedal. I just cut the existing brake pedal and then 'covered' it up with a racing pedal, instead of trying to install a new stock pedal. There has been a lot of discussion around using the NA MT clutch pedal (no booster) versus the TT pedal (with booster). I did use the stock NA clutch pedal. It is fine even with the heavier clutch (RPS Max). I did use a braided stainless steel line all the way from the master cylinder to the slave cylinder, instead of messing around with installing the stock lines. Installation and bleeding was a breeze. Also if you run the line before you install the tranny there are plenty of places to zip tie it out of harms way. I did run into a big snag right at the end. After searching I decided to buy the front half of a TT MT driveshaft and simply replace the front section of my NA driveshaft. It is discussed fairly extensively on this site that the rear section of the NA and TT driveshafts are interchangeable, but that the TT does have larger U-joints. This is not a minor point. The flange on the TT front section is also quite a bit larger that the flange that it mates up to on the NA rear section. So, you basically need to swap the TT flange with the NA flange on the front section of the driveshaft. This was NOT an easy f(*&(&ng task. Here is a pic of the two flanges side by side (TT on left): 
I did not find a lot of discussion on this but it seem like I lost the speed variable power steering with the swap. There is still power steering but it seems heavier at low speed than it did before or than it does in my other VerTT with the factory MT. I forgot to order the proper speed sensor so my speedo is way off with 18" wheels and the NA rear end. Does the speed sensor in these cars also drive the tachometer? And finally - the girl needs a little boost. As much as I enjoyed taking her out for a spin and marvelled at the comfort and tightness of the low mileage stock suspension convertible - she was a little too slow. Here is a pic - eibach's are next >>>> 
Here is a shot test fitting a stillen type III lip - not sure I like it - feedback welcome. Anybody know if the GTZ turbo lip can be made to fit over the NA fascia? I don't want to buy a whole knew fascia because of the difficulty in paint matching the pearl white paint. 
Pics
Cruizin' Topless on December 26th
Engine Bay Pics
719 miles on the turbo'ed NA 'VerTT and counting
Versus TransAm
Versus Audi S4 Biturbo
Versus Cadillac XLR
NA's are for Sissies
Sudden Loss of Boost is Heartstopping
First Driving Impression
Preliminary Dyno Results
Acknowledgments |
Finished my first (and last) 5spd swap - WOOT!!! - 
