Alternative to a dakota bellhousing
Is there a way to add a clutch pedal to the existing hardware, without swapping to a hydraulic actuation System?
Yes, you just put an add on FABO, and somebody will sell you what you need. Don't forget, that you will still need to cut the side of your tunnel out to install the shift rods. And you need a flat area on top of the tunnel to mount your shift boot to. The factory made a part for that and we commonly call it a "hump". You need to weld it in and seal it to prevent water and dirt from getting in.
But I just want to remind you that the gears in that overdrive box are pretty far apart , and unless you have a low-rpm torque monster of a 318 you will not have fun with it.
The ratios are 3.09-1.67-1.00-.73od and splits of .54-.60-.73
The splits indicate to what percent the rpm will fall after the shift. So on the 1-2 the rpm will fall to .54 . In normal driving, it feels natural to shift at about 2800rpm. After the shift, the Rs will fall to 2800 x.54=
1510. So your 318 better have some torque down there to continue accelerating.
The 2-3 shift is a lil tighter. Again shifting at 2800, the Rs will fall to 2800 x.60=
1680
Now, depending on your rear gears, this could really suck.
For example, with 2.76s, the 1-2 shift might occur at 2800=26 mph, so the 318 now at 1510 will be asked to run to 2800 at 56 mph; that's a really long haul. After that 70mph will get you 2430 in direct/1770 in overdrive. I guarantee you that this will suck, partly because 26mph=1510 in second gear, and this gear does not need to be outshifted until 100 mph@5000. So really, your 4 speed ends up being a 1 or a 2 speed, in town. I don't see that as being any fun at all.
On the other side of the coin, the deepest starter gear that is any good is about 11/1 .. With the 3.09 low gear, this requires a rear gear of 3.55s
So shifting at 2800 again will get you second at 20 mph still at 1510. Second gear is now good to 77 mph, so you still have a 1 or a 2 speed, around town, mostly a second gear only car now.
But say you have 3.23s, and hold first to 4000= 32mph. On the shift, the Rs will fall to 4000 x.54=2160, and second gear will hit 60 at 3530, so from ~30 to 60 you will be in second gear .
I urge you to do your own math with whatever gears you have, and make a decision based on math, leaving emotions on the doorstep.
If I could, I highly recommend the Commando box for you. the ratios are
3.09-1.92-1.40-1.00. In a 318 Swinger, she will like 3.55s. The splits with this box are a much tighter, .62-.73-71
Second best would be the standard box with ratios of 2.66-1.92-1.40-1.00,
And splits of .73-.73-.71.. the only difference between this and the Commando is the low-gear, that gives you 16% more take-off power ; like this;
3.09 x 3.55=10.97, whereas with the 2.66 that 10.97 will cost you
10.97/2.66= 4.12s
The rest of the ratios are all the same.
The formula is; mph= (rpm times TC) / (1056 R1R2)
where Tc = tire circumference, and the Rs are your gear ratios.
To find rpm, you re-arrange the elements like so;
rpm=(mph times R1R2 times 1056)/ the Tc
Happy Hotrodding.
