Manual Tran GN???

[87GNuSnavy]

Alright, first I tried a search on this but came up with nothing. I was wondering if any as put a manual trans into a Grand National. I've heard of people putting Camaro T5s in Montes and that is the same body.

I understand the car is rare, but I love the GN but I also love manual trans. Thanks.

-Soon to be GN owner-

 

["Turbo-T"]

Also would like to know, although I have heard some say there would be some issues with keeping the spool up with a manual.

Also I would hope you don't intend on running a Camaro T-5, those trannies are notorious for grenading....even with the stock 305 they came bolted onto.

 

[87GNuSnavy]

No, I would not use a T-5. I don't even have a Grand National yet. Gotta wait until after boot camp.

-I don't see how a manual would cause a spool issue, there are a lot of manual turbo cars. unless there's something different on the GN.

 

[SouthernCal GN]

First off....congrats and thank you for your service. My son shipped to Navy boot just this last Monday!

Car stuff:

There's not a problem so much with keeping the car spooled; as you noted, there are plenty of manual trans turbo cars available. It is possible to add the necessary bits to make the manual work, AND keep the turbo spooled. The auto is simply more consistent for the track, and adds to the sleeper status. IMO, the draw of a GN/T is it's lack of traditional go-fast stuff (manual trans, loud exhaust, overt styling, etc).

20+ years later, it's still a rush to realize that this car, with just a few bolt ons, returns amazing performance with almost no compromise in comfort, MPG, or insurance premium.

Stick with the auto- when you get your GN, you'll quickly learn there's a lot you'll need to monitor and pay attention to in order to wring truly stupid performance from these cars........

 

[notacarlo]

First off....congrats and thank you for your service. My son shipped to Navy boot just this last Monday!

Car stuff:

There's not a problem so much with keeping the car spooled; as you noted, there are plenty of manual trans turbo cars available. It is possible to add the necessary bits to make the manual work, AND keep the turbo spooled. The auto is simply more consistent for the track, and adds to the sleeper status. IMO, the draw of a GN/T is it's lack of traditional go-fast stuff (manual trans, loud exhaust, overt styling, etc).

20+ years later, it's still a rush to realize that this car, with just a few bolt ons, returns amazing performance with almost no compromise in comfort, MPG, or insurance premium.

Stick with the auto- when you get your GN, you'll quickly learn there's a lot you'll need to monitor and pay attention to in order to wring truly stupid performance from these cars........

EXACTLY.



Also, these engines don't rev very high.

 

[GNTIM]

I remember seeing a couple 15 or so years ago and everybody I talked to said the swap slowed the car down. Can't remember exactly why.

 

["Turbo-T"]

I don't see how a manual would cause a spool issue, there are a lot of manual turbo cars. unless there's something different on the GN.

There's lots of manual boost cars, I think it's more along the lines of the few seconds during shifting, the spool drops off. Just something I heard a long the way.

 

[Camfreek]

I think??

I think the reason it makes it slower and please don't quote me on this is this. Lets say I mash my foot down on my GN, well the throttle plate opnes and the turbo spools up. Throttle open, turbo spools up, car goes fast real quick cause throttle is open. When I drive my turbo charged 1990 Ranger, 5 speed tranny. Throttle opens turbo spools up and then I shift to 2nd and throttle closes turbo slows down and throttle opens and turbo spools up and 3rd gear and so on. You guys under stand what I am saying?? Blow of valves really help this, but I really don't see a need for one on my GN and really don't see any GN's on this site with them. This is what I have noticed form the two turbocharged vehicles I own and drive. By the way my ranger dyno'ed out at a hair over 400 H.P. at the rear wheels!! GN can still take it any day

 

[UNGN]

Everything is readily available to do the swap, the problem is with the stock block buick V6, however.

1. The power band of our motors is pretty lame in the stocker. It spools at 2400 and runs out of of power 5000 RPM. Below 2400 RPM, you have a low compression 150 HP V6. Put on a larger turbo on and the bottom end sucks even harder. Don't rev it too high or the crank goes out the bottom. A stage II motor that revs to 7K different story.

2. The bottom of a TR block is pretty spindly and doesn't like the thrust loading that a manual trans/clutch will do to it. Again, a stage II motor is a different story.

3. Manual transmissions and clutches don't take kindly to turbo 3.8 motors, A T5 will break the first time it is shifted into 3rd under boost, if you don't smoke the clutch first trying to get it out of the hole.

If you have $20K, you can build a killer Stage II, manual trans drive train. Slapping a T5 behind a stock V6 will pretty much suck, however, even after spending $2-3K over what an auto costs.

 

[87GNuSnavy]

I will definitely stick with the auto once I have my own. Thanks a lot.

 

[daviss]

I've thought about this many times and I agree with UNGN that the thrust on the bottom end would create premature failure. I was going to swap to a four speed Jericho with an in-line shifter but with the cost of bottom end parts for these cars I like the cushion of the TC. I'll wait until I go LSX for the four speed. I still think it would be a blast to row gears in a Buick, plus I really like 6K+ launches!

Steve