5spd in a 71

[peng155]

Hi Everyone,

I have a 71 Z that the previous owner swapped a 5spd into. Everything works fine, except one little thing that bothers me about the swap...

Apparently the 5spd sits further back than the stock 4spd did, so to compensate, the previous owner repositioned the center console back, meaning the fuse box isn’t bolted in the stock location, and the ashtray doesn’t fit the way it set up now.

Does anyone have any recommendations on how I can fix this problem so that I can get the center console, ashtray, and fuse box back in their original locations??

Thanks for any help you guy’s can offer.

-Phil

[jmortensen]

Weird. Usually the 5 speed is about 3 or 4 inches shorter than the early 4 speed.

When I installed mine I modified the shifter. I used a truck shifter (much shorter throw) and cut it just above the pivot pin hole. Then I welded it back on pointing straight at the back of the car, and heated and bent the shifter up so that it sticks up right in the middle of the stock shifter hole. I cut it at a comfortable height and rethreaded the end to put the shift knob on (most aftermarket shift knobs don't use a threaded end, so you usually don't have to worry about the threads.

Some people cut a bigger hole in the transmission tunnel for the shifter. I wouldn't do that because then your inner shift boot won't fit and the shifter will be too far forward to comfortably reach 5th gear.

[Mr Camouflage]

Get a series 2 center consloe, and it will look stock, apart from the fact that its a series 2 console, but hey, you have a 5 speed,, so you cant be that concerned that it isnt 100% original.