70 skylark 4speed to auto swap???

Discussion in 'Street/strip 400/430/455' started by buickgsman, Aug 30, 2003.

  1. buickgsman

    buickgsman Well-Known Member

    Hi Guys. I need help deciding what I want to do with my car. Its a 70 skylark, a near perfect GSX copy. I have a 4 speed in the car presently, but I'm getting a little sick of shifting and I'd like to go with an overdrive trans. The car has a 455 dynoed at 321HP and 417Lb/ft of torque at the rear wheels. Its been a few months since I've been to the dyno, so I'm hoping I straightened a few things out, so I'd like to be up to 350 at the rear wheels and maybe 450 or 475lb/ft. I would love to go 700r4 or 2004r, but I'm not sure I want to go back to an auto in the car. I have a beautiful 4 speed console and a very nice m-20 muncie and all the goodies I collected to make the swap look factory. Do I want to rip it all out or should I stay with some type of 5 speed trans? I read an article a while back on the t-5 with heavy duty gears. The car is so cool as a 4 speed. It kinda makes the whole car. AT the same time, it would be a lot easier to drive and a lot more manageable around town as an auto. I'm sure selling the 4 speed parts could pay for most if not all the auto/OD parts.

    Also, I have a t400 I could put in the car, but its still going to turn 3000rpm on the highway doing 65 or so.

    HELP, I need some opinions/ideas?

    thanks, bob:Do No:
     
  2. rh455

    rh455 Well-Known Member

    Bob

    My car is an original M21 car and I'm definately going TH400. I want to make Cruisin the Coast next year and there's usually lots of traffic. I kept the 4spd in the attic and will have it rebuilt at some point but will keep it just because it's the last of the matching #'s parts I have(motor long gone). My car didn't have a console when I got it. It may have had one at some point but it's gone. I have 3 herniated discs in my back and don't think I can hang with the old style clutch set up. Also, the wife's kinda short and I think the clutch might be a bit much for her too.
     
  3. skylark

    skylark Well-Known Member

    If you guys take out the four speed stuff of your cars, I'm going the other way. So, I'll need some of that stuff to convert my car to four speed. Let me know if you're interested in selling that stuff, please.:TU:
     
  4. dryskip

    dryskip Mid-life Crisis Victim

  5. buickgsman

    buickgsman Well-Known Member

    I just ordered the 2004R, so the entire 4 speed setup is for sale. Works perfectly. All that would be needed to finish it is the rod from the pedals to the z-bar. The one I used had to be welded because I used a chevy one. the Buick part is in the correct direction already. Otherwise, its the whole enchilada in perfect shape with a new Competition plus shifter, dual friction centerforce clutch and the buick floor consolette. column and everything is included. Soup to nuts. If anyone is interested, I'm taking offers. E-mail me at gsx455man@cox.net. the trans is an M-20 that shifts like butter! It also comes with the driveshaft. Hows that for complete??!!
     
  6. jmccart

    jmccart John McCarthy

    200r4

    Hello, I just put a 200r4 behind the 455 in my 73 Century GS (3.42:1). It is like a different car with the .67 OD. With the overdrive, it is like I have a 2.29 rear gear. Passing all cars in the fast lane while practically idling is fun.
     
  7. buickgsman

    buickgsman Well-Known Member

    did you have the trans built up or is it a relatively stock 200? I got a level 4 trans which is just about as strong as they come. the guy said it shifts firmly. I hope its what i expect.

    thanks for the reply!
     
  8. jmccart

    jmccart John McCarthy

    hello

    The trans shop gave me a 2 year warranty, and that is OK with me upgrading to Al heads when I get the $$$. I am getting the aftermarket servo (what ever the heck that is) to give hard shifts installed this week. They said about $400 more gets every possible performance upgrade, but this is good enough for them to warranty it.
    You will love the OD.
     
  9. grant455gs

    grant455gs Well-Known Member

    Bob, I sent you a PM about the 4-sp parts
     

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