It might be a silly question to ask. I have a 77 regal, does it have the same frame as a 72 A-body car? Trying to fit a manual in it, but all the parts listed are for 68-72 A-body.If not,is there a big difference in terms of where the cross member and exhaust is located? Any help would be great :TU:
No, they are different. Suspension components do not swap as far as I know. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_A_platform_(1936)
77 A body shares some suspension components with 70 - 81 F, 75 - 79 X, and 77 to 90 B. Mainly front control arms - upper and lower. The corporate 8.5 rear end was installed in many of the above lines, but widths and suspension type differed depending on fisher body series. Don't know if the 73 - 77 manual shift pedal setup is being reproduced. It is very hard to find a factory one, have only seen one, in a 73 El Camino that most likely had a base 250 six or 307 engine w/ rubber floor mats and no A/C. It must have been a three speed cast iron saginaw.
I've got a 73 4 spd Century, so I'd be happy to help with photo's, etc...and Colonnade 4spds are not as rare as you might think... There is also a 73-77 forum who might be able to shed some light on interchange... http://www.g3gm.com/forum Good luck and keep us posted.
And one step further: http://www.g3gm.com/t2938-4-speed-conversion-kit-for-73-77-gm-s?highlight=4+spd+conversion
It appears that more unusual combos (i.e. manual trans) were ordered, and preserved in the midwest than in other parts of the country. Is amazing what people throw away down here.
This is one of the most exciting swaps because not many people care about the 76-77 Regals. In fact, I'm working on a similar swap and decided to hit the forums for info. I'm going with a T5 but now I've hit a snag trying to acquire the correct flywheel and clutch kit for my Buick 350. I look forward to seeing your progress for two reasons: 1. To see how well yours turns out 2. I'm novice with very little mechanical skills. Good luck, SevSixBR
I would contact "silver buick" in eastern Nevada (the middle of nowhere as he puts it) for details on that kind of swap. Think he did something very similar in his car.
