Hi fellow forums, Looking to have a manual transmission vehicle, never had one always wanted one. What do you all think about converting my 68 camaro TH-350 into a 4 speed?

 

It's generally a pretty easy swap once you get all the parts,with a Hurst shifter you might have to cut the floor out a little.
Is your car a floor shift with a console or a column shift? They made both.
You can buy a brand new 4 speed console,not to sure about modding an auto console to fit but you could always sell yours if you have one.
If you have a column shift and don't want a console you can just get a Hurst shifter boot.
You can buy the clutch and brake pedal assembly new as well,you'll need a bellhousing with the clutch arm a flywheel and clutch with throwout bearing and pilot bushing.
You'll need a 4 speed crossmember and trans mount ,you'll need a different front driveline yoke, if memory serves depending on the trans you use you may or may not need to get the driveline shortened or lengthened.
Hmmm , what else,maybe a different speedo drive I can't recall.
I don't know what you have for power but I'd suggest a Muncie or a BW T-10 over the Saginaw in any case.
Keep us posted!

 

I have TH-350 automatic with floor shift, friend who wants to do the conversion to manual thinks what I have is fine says a 4 speed will do the job for cruising purposes. I'm thinking a 5 speed will give me a better drive

 

I do have a base model, if I read the numbers correctly engine is a 327 probably 210hp from factory but I did bore the engine 30 over

 

Muncie 4 speed will work with your console. It does on a 67 anyway. The center section is replaced with the 4 speed plate. As mentioned all the parts for a 4 speed are all bolt in. 5 speed is more involved and higher cost but completely doable. If 5 speed go with the TKX. Silver Sport has the conversion kits

 

They make all the parts to do this conversion so it would look factory. The questions becomes how much do you care about originality? Hydraulic clutch will be easier than the stock setup. Cutting a big hole in the floor is easier than welding the floor hump. You can buy kits but I cannot remember seeing a truly complete kit with the pedals and the Z-bar and all the hardware. I am 100% sure are the parts are available. With your near stock 327 you could get away with a WC t-5 5 speed transmission. That should be any trans built after 87 I think. You would not want a bell housing off a camaro because they are designed for the 3rd gen and they turn the transmission which would make you shifter tilted. A bell housing out of S-10 4.3 would work fine. If you ever want to go much over 260 HP with a posi rear avoid the T-5 and the Saginaw 4sp transmissions.
If you do find a complete kit post it here. Sharing your experience could help someone else.

 

This kit is everything but the muncie 4 speed for the 307 and 327 motors. 350 and 396 uses the 11" version which they also sell

1967 1968 Camaro 4-Speed Conversion Kit SB & Muncie 10.4" Clutch & Hurst Shifter - 1967, 1968, 1969 Camaro Parts - NOS, Rare, Reproduction Camaro Parts for your Restoration (heartbeatcitycamaro.com)

 

Great help thank you

 

Great help, Thank you for your input. I will post when I decide and complete.

 

I'd stick with a 4 speed unless you plan on a lot of highway driving a 5 won't be worth the extra hassle.
5th gear is basically an overdrive for highway speeds and if you have stock rear end gearing for an automatic you'll already have pretty tall gears.
Do you know what rear end ratio you have or will have ?