[Memphis SS]

Originally Posted by oldman

So i’m Thinking, maybe gym should make a pretend 6 speed from the dct. I can see a very precision shifter and nice feel clutch all setup, and the software takes care of the rest. Say it would be 1.5k option. Still could go into full auto when needed. Don’t see why that can’t be implemented.... not for me, will have to keep Camaro for the m6

Why? If it’s not a real clutch system the few diehards that want a manual would still complain..

At the end of the day, GM has added a second shift to the Bowling Green Ky. Plant and has already stated that the 2020 allocation is sold. I can’t see them adding a manual version with production already sold and previous sales so low of the manual version anyway. JMHO

[Memphis SS]

Originally Posted by oldman

For the most part, the 5.7 came only in the auto, the 5.0 is what you got with the manual. My 1976 Firebird was ordered with a 4bbl and manual. We waited and waited and waited and it was suppose to have a 400 cid Pontiac engine in it, but NOPE it was a Chevy 5.7. The dealer said it is either this or you get an Auto. I was working in Silicon Valley at the time and evidently is was a 50 state smog deal that CA, HI and a few other states had. So yeh the 5.7 was for SURE a manual that year in a Firebird...

Maybe in California, I give you the benefit of location on that one but they didn’t put that anywhere else in the country that I’m aware of.. back then you only got Pontiac motors. The 400 or 455SD

[Number 3]

Originally Posted by oldman

So i’m Thinking, maybe GM should make a pretend 6 speed from the dct. I can see a very precision shifter and nice feel clutch all setup, and the software takes care of the rest. Say it would be 1.5k option. Still could go into full auto when needed. Don’t see why that can’t be implemented.... not for me, will have to keep Camaro for the m6

So throw a spring loaded lever for the left foot to push on and turn the paddle shifters on the steering wheel to a lever on the console that you can row with your right hand???? Maybe go further to have a switch on the foot lever such that you can't operate the console lever unless it's engaged???

That is not engagement in the driving experience. That's pretty much just a video game. If GM ever did this they'd be lambasted.

Does anyone here care to guess why the Heavy Trucking Industry is abandoning manuals? One, a major driver shortage and rowing a 14 speed non-synchro transmission is hard work and makes a hard job harder. But for most cases, an automated manual is just better for drivability, performance and FE.

Technology has provided us a better mousetrap. GM has brought it to us in a near Super Car for under $60k. We just apparently like the mice.

[oldman]

Just saying for the guys that will only buy a manual Vette.....

Me, I know my M6 gen 6 Camaro is the last manual I'll buy new...

[oldman]

Originally Posted by Memphis SS

Maybe in California, I give you the benefit of location on that one but they didn’t put that anywhere else in the country that I’m aware of.. back then you only got Pontiac motors. The 400 or 455SD

TypeO it was 1979, but here it is from the wiki:The only option on these cars was the engine (the 400 was not certified for California, nor was cruise control available with it. Option code LM1 = Chevy 350.

From memory, I could have paid like 25% more for a TransAm W72 and got the 220 HP engine with 4 speed, but they did not know if it would be built at all and would end up with an Olds 403 and automatic.... no thanks.

This is the only chevy 350 from my memory that ever showed up in a Firebird. My buddy Scott got a 301 turbo trans-am... I'd blow his doors whenever I found him.... poor guy.

So we ordered a 400 Pontiac Firebird with 4 speed, and got a Chevy 350... which even though I like Poncho engines was actually OK... Many people asked me back then if I swapped out the engine. I put in a mild cam, and some ported 2.02 camelbacks small chamber, had to keep the air inject manifolds caus CA....

[chain777]

Just for clarification, 1975 was the last year you could get a 455, though it wasn't a super duty. 1974 was the last year for that.

[Memphis SS]

Originally Posted by chain777

Just for clarification, 1975 was the last year you could get a 455, though it wasn't a super duty. 1974 was the last year for that.

Not Correct, you could get a 455 in 1976. You're right on the SD last year was 74

Here is one example from Barrett Jackson 1976 Trans Am 455

https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Even...-AM-455-200521

[Memphis SS]

Originally Posted by oldman

TypeO it was 1979, but here it is from the wiki:The only option on these cars was the engine (the 400 was not certified for California, nor was cruise control available with it. Option code LM1 = Chevy 350.

From memory, I could have paid like 25% more for a TransAm W72 and got the 220 HP engine with 4 speed, but they did not know if it would be built at all and would end up with an Olds 403 and automatic.... no thanks.

This is the only chevy 350 from my memory that ever showed up in a Firebird. My buddy Scott got a 301 turbo trans-am... I'd blow his doors whenever I found him.... poor guy.

So we ordered a 400 Pontiac Firebird with 4 speed, and got a Chevy 350... which even though I like Poncho engines was actually OK... Many people asked me back then if I swapped out the engine. I put in a mild cam, and some ported 2.02 camelbacks small chamber, had to keep the air inject manifolds caus CA....

LOL.. I remember the old Turbo TAs....man they were a dog.. I had a 75, 76, and 79. In 79 the autos came with an olds 6.6 liters 403 as a base with a optional TA 6.6 that was the Pontiac 400

[oldman]

yeah but it had a "turbo"... LOL 16.7 in the quarter, on a good day, when new...

http://transamcountry.com/community/...?topic=43131.0

[L78toLT1]

In '76, I was a 17 year old was the country boy from Georgia who moved to an affluent subdivision in Texas. Nearly all the rich high schoolers had new trans am`s or Camaro's - no Z28's as they were not available until '77. I had a cherry, triple black '66 triple black, 4 speed L78 chevelle. That car gave me instant cred! Until word got around, I had several guys try me in their bone stock ponchos. Needless to say it was a total joke. Lot's of those guys are still friends, they're a lot more knowledgeable about cars though, thanks in no small part to that old Chevelle. I still regret selling it

[6spdhyperblue]

A ‘76 trans am 455 needed ‘71 ho manifolds, ho heads, ho aluminum intake taken out of the junk yard for $10 and a factory ram air 4 cam. Over 550ft lb of torque and would’ve swept the street with factory parts and good mpg from the quardrajet. Know knew right?

[hotlap]

Originally Posted by 6spdhyperblue

A ‘76 trans am 455 needed ‘71 ho manifolds, ho heads, ho aluminum intake taken out of the junk yard for $10 and a factory ram air 4 cam. Over 550ft lb of torque and would’ve swept the street with factory parts and good mpg from the quardrajet. Know knew right?

My second car was a 76 Y82 with a 455 4-speed and that’s exactly what I did. 6H 400 head (ported) raised compression from 7.5:1 to 9.5:1. Ram Air 4 cam, hooker super comp headers and a dual exhaust. I used an earlier Pontiac intake to keep it stock appearing.

1976 was the last 455 and the first black and gold (50th Anniversary). I bought mine in 1982 for $3,750 of my own money. I completely restored it with completion in 2000. I sold it in 2008

I was a Pontiac guy then and don’t recall 350s in Firebirds but the sure did a lot of 305s.

1979 was Poncho 400 (6.6L) with 4-speed and Olds 403 (6.6 Liter) with automatic.

[6spdhyperblue]

Wow that car is really optioned out. Really nice. That is THE combo, Must’ve pulled like a locomotive

[hotlap]

Originally Posted by 6spdhyperblue

Wow that car is really optioned out. Really nice. That is THE combo, Must’ve pulled like a locomotive

Thanks! It was a torque monster and beautiful. It was my life for a long, long time.

PHS documented and was featured in High Performance Pontiac magazine in the early 2000s. It was also featured in a recent book commemorating the Trans Ams 50th.