CodyS
Well-Known Member
Was thinking of doing a 4 speed conversion on my 1970 dart swinger with numbers matching 340 but not matching transnmission. Would a 4 speed conversion from auto on the column hurt or help the resale? Thanks for any input.
I wouldn't call it a bolt on conversion , since you have to cut a hole in the floor and weld in a hump. If you don't have any of the parts, a four speed conversion won't be cheap. That money could be spent on some go-fast parts instead , like a good converter for that auto tranny.i dont think it matters, its basically a bolt on conversion. save your auto parts and i think you cant go wrong.
+ i think more folks would want the 4 speed. that being said, i don think i would dramatically increase the value of the car either.
do it because you want it.
I agree. If you had a rare (and all matching numbers) 69 440 M code Cuda, big block Dart or a Formula S car, I would say leave it with the auto IF you are concerned with value. Otherwise, put a 4 speed in it. I truly believe that an authentic 4 speed conversion will increase your car's value. If a person really wants a 4 speed, they are not real easy to find. Most are autos. If you measure and cut the hump out carefully, you could weld it back in so as to be unnoticeable. Plus, save everything else (unless you have to sell it to finance the swap), and you could put it back to an auto. Bottom line is this; If you want a four speed, do it! I did it in my 1969 Barracuda, and I do not regret it at all.I am on the other side of the spectrum ....I would say it would help.
I have changed every automatic car I have to manual shift and when I buy cars the first thing I look for is a third pedal.
if I were to spend big hard earned money on a car it would have to be a 4 speed or I would walk away.
keep in mind that 4 speed conversions are expensive, there is nothing cheap about anything 4 speed.
I think it hurts the value. Not too many can or want to drive a manual.
I hear that. Just seemed to be the thing every since I was young. must have a muscle car with a 4 speed.This could be true with the younger generation. I am 30 and I notice most of my friends my age or younger can not drive a manual.
I was lucky my dad has a 69 340 4 speed 'Cuda and he insisted I learn drive in it back when I was learning to drive.
Most of my friends had parents who went to the new car lots and bought them new econo-boxes with autos and autos are ever increasing among the newer cars
I am more of an originality guy
Rookie question here. Are all 340 crankshafts 70 and earlier drilled for a pilot bushing? I thought I had heard that before.Another thing you MUST consider before even thinking about swapping an automatic for a 4 speed. Will your engine's crankshaft be drilled into the rear flange far enough to properly install the pilot bushing for the input shaft? If not then it will have to be removed and taken to a machine shop to be drilled deeper to install the bushing, otherwise the bell housing will not mate to the engine due to the longer length of the input shaft.