AJ, man thanks for your awesome reply, there's a ton of good info in there. If you live anywhere close to Houston I'd like to fly you in for a couple of days so you can help me out. Kidding of course... but kinda serious.
Anyways, I'll just go ahead and say it... I'm totally and utterly lost now. I spent a few hours researching last night and I'm more confused than ever. Now I'm wondering if I shouldn't just drop in a 727 and go the A/T route, since the car is already set up for A/T. Yes, yes, I know that a 4 speed car is the best but sometimes I do like the "point and go" ease of an auto trans. And driving in Houston requires A LOT of shifting. I know that Ebay is a high price haven for car parts, but I'm seeing trannys anywhere from $850-$2500 (I've only seen 1 A body). That's both A833 & 727. There's one or two on local Craigslist but they need rebuilt. So, now I'm trying to figure out areas to cut cost on this build but I'm not sure where to start.
I think I would stick to a well sorted out A904, and a hi-stall, to be determined after we know in what direction this is going. There's nothing wrong with point and shoot.
I'm under the impression (please correct any of these points that are wrong) that since I'm doing the /6 to V8 swap, I'll require the following:
-Upgraded K member to handle V8 weight (I'm thinking about the tubular type) Not 100% required.
You can use any SBM 68 to 72 K. The advantage is that the engine mounts are guaranteed to be in the right place. This makes fitting headers less of a pain. The Schumacher mounts are an option, but several fellows here have had trouble fitting TTI headers with those.
-New front suspension for V8 (might as well do upper & lower control arms too)Suspension is basically the same for these cars,Upgrading the brakes is a great idea,Tho. Control arms are a non-wearing item in this car, the balljoints are replaceable in them. But before you order stuff, you need to commit to running certain brakes, as the BYs are not all the same.
-New torsion bars Good idea, I like my 1.03s
-Motor mounts and engine brackets, and a torque strap.
-Trans cross member Same across the board 67 to 72, all trannys
-Drive shaft altered that depends on what rear end and transmussion tou will be running.But probably yes.
-New floor hump mandatory
This is at a minimum...
In another post I saw someone say that 4 speed conversion parts would be about $1500, but I can't see how that's possible.Me neither
I also figured I might as well drop in a rack and pinion steering set up since the entire front end will be out, and a front sway bar too.Probably a good idea All topped off with disk brake conversion. R&P is pretty pricy, overkill for a streeter. Other options exist; Like the 73 up stuff and the early KelseyHays; my favorite.
Not to mention radiator,yes engine accessories,maybe and wiring.some
So back to my original comment, maybe an A/T would save me a bit of money to put towards other needs...
And here I was thinking you were loaded,newbe. Yes the AT will save you hundreds and hundreds, at least at first.
