4 Speed Manual

[AF Charger]

I'm a proud veteran, recently off active duty and a young guy to the Mopar World!! I don't have a lot of knowledge yet on the mopars, but I recently purchased my dream car, a 69 Charger, after I got back home and have the time to work on one. I was wondering, what is a good price on a 4 speed manual for my car? I recently bought a 440 for it and I'm wanting a manual to go with it(Since the car was originally a manual). Are they difficult to find and what can I expect to pay? Thanks!!

 

[Revhendo]

Welcome.
4 speeds aren't that hard to come by. You can get quality rebuilt units from Passon and Brewer's. There are units available used also. Oxytousc (a member here) is selling his right now, I believe.
If you're not going for originality, you might consider a 5 speed. They've come a long way with durability and the cost isn't a huge amount more than the 4 gear units.

 

[Ron 73]

Welcome to FBBO and thank you for the service to our country!!! Sounds like a nice car, Good luck to you, post up some pictures when you can! enjoy..

 

[oxytousc]

Welcome. Yeah, 4 speeds aren't too bad at all. I got mine for 650, freshly rebuilt and painted. I have an entire small block setup that I'm selling, I'd be happy to sell you just the trans though. It actually came out of a 60s car. I think I have a 60s style shifter too.

Like Rev said, they are around and not too bad to find. I'm selling mine because I decided to go with a 5-speed, so I'm using this to fund that.

 

[Meep-Meep]

That's a good car to start with! And welcome.

If you have an original 4 spd car check if you have the frame bracket for the clutch bell crank and the pedal hardware. The tranny is usually easy to get; it's just finding the little stuff may slow you down.

 

[Revhendo]

That's a good car to start with! And welcome.

If you have an original 4 spd car check if you have the frame bracket for the clutch bell crank and the pedal hardware. The tranny is usually easy to get; it's just finding the little stuff may slow you down.

It's the little stuff that shoots holes in the wallet and leaves it needing a transfusion. (Get it? Transfusion).

 

[AF Charger]

Thanks All!!!

Thanks all for the help!!! I will do some looking, I'm not set on going with originality, but what's a good 5 speed for it and is it better to go with the 5 speed? Also how much are you wanting for the 4 speed you have for sale, and is it ready to go?? Or need work?

 

[okiemopar]

Tranny

There are 3 different types of the manuel 4 speeds so be sure and know what you are buying. They made a aluminum 3 speed with the overdrive which isn't very strong. They also made 2 different regular 4 speeds one being a 23 spline which is the regular one and an 18 spline which is the hemi one which is a lot more heavt duty. The last regular one I bought I gave 300 for it but the Hemi ones sell for a lot more even tho I have seen them coming down some from what they were. On the 5 speeds every one is putting them in mostly for the better gas miliage they get out of them. But I think it cost about 3500 are better to do this and you have to cut part of your floorboard out to do it. Good Luck in what ever you decide and enjoy it when you get it done. And Thanks for your Service. Ronnie

 

[68383]

Welcome. All the correct shifter linkages, shifter, rods, etc. will set you back some coin on top of the tranny. Nothing in the world of Mopar is cheap.

 

[oxytousc]

Thanks all for the help!!! I will do some looking, I'm not set on going with originality, but what's a good 5 speed for it and is it better to go with the 5 speed? Also how much are you wanting for the 4 speed you have for sale, and is it ready to go?? Or need work?

If you go with a 5 speed, the most common is a Tremec TKO-600. It's not a straight plug and play thing though...not that the 4 speed swap is neccesarily either. Also, Jamie Passon is coming out with a new 5 speed in an A833 case.

The trans I have had a fresh rebuilt and is good to go. It's a 23 spline, non overdrive version. It would be the one that came with your car. I'm looking for $700 for the trans and $100 for the shifter mech and stick, plus shipping. Like I said, only want to get out what I put into it, which could of been too much, but it was fresh and ready to go and that's what I cared about at that moment. It has ZERO miles on it since the rebuild.

 

[oxytousc]

All told, I think you're looking at around $2500-3000 to do the entire swap. Although, if some of the original bits are there, you might be able to shave a few $100 here or there.

A 5 speed swap will run you about $4800. If you do a 5 speed swap, I HIGHLY, HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend Gerko Enterprises. Geoff Gerko is great and he'll work with you to get you a setup that fits your needs and budget. Plus, unlike other unnamed five speed vendors, he stands behind his product and will give you tech advice whenever you need it. Oh yeah, his prices are better too. He's who I am getting my 5 speed setup from.

 

[brandon64]

It all depends on how much work "you" do for anything you do to a car. I found an 833 for my b body that needed rebuilding, sincros and bearings were worn out. paid 75 bucks for the tranny, and about 150 I think for the rebuild kit, rebuilt it myself. and I paid 100 dollars for a factory hurst shifter and linkage at a swap meet, paid 125 for a bellhousing on ebay. I have not got the rest of the parts I need yet, but still going to be way cheaper than 2500 bucks before I'm done. 325 so far I estimate i'll have 700 in the swap when it's all said and done, but I shop around and wait for parts at a good price, and do all the work I can myself.

 

[brandon64]

All told, I think you're looking at around $2500-3000 to do the entire swap. Although, if some of the original bits are there, you might be able to shave a few $100 here or there.

A 5 speed swap will run you about $4800. If you do a 5 speed swap, I HIGHLY, HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend Gerko Enterprises. Geoff Gerko is great and he'll work with you to get you a setup that fits your needs and budget. Plus, unlike other unnamed five speed vendors, he stands behind his product and will give you tech advice whenever you need it. Oh yeah, his prices are better too. He's who I am getting my 5 speed setup from.

At the shop I work at I converted an A body dodge to a 6 speed viper trans, owner paid 1500 for a low mileage tans, and another 2000 for us to put it in his duster. If it costs 4800 to go with a 5 speed, I would consider a 6 speed for 3500. and you not doing any work on the car.

 

[shag766]

welcome aboard and good luck on the project. i am just about finished a 318 to hemi project and went with a tremec 6 spd. and hyd. clutch. about the only parts i had to look for was the pedal set up. not cheap but what is.

 

[Revhendo]

At the shop I work at I converted an A body dodge to a 6 speed viper trans, owner paid 1500 for a low mileage tans, and another 2000 for us to put it in his duster. If it costs 4800 to go with a 5 speed, I would consider a 6 speed for 3500. and you not doing any work on the car.

OK, I'll bite. 1500 for the trans, how much for the clutch, the bellhousing, the tunnel mods, driveshaft? Was the 2 grand your labor alone or were the extra parts in the mix also? Kudos to you, A bodies are a pain to do big tranny swaps in.

 

[Big Jim]

Thanks for your service- people sometimes forget that freedom ain't free- it comes with a price extracted in blood. Good luck with your Charger!