[Arrowsmith]

If everyone here doesn’t mind, I’d like add some info. I researched every available manual transmission and spoke to many folks in the industry before converting the car to an automatic. First… the likely candidates that don’t fit the stock tunnel: A T56 won’t fit in the stock tunnel. A Lenco is the almost perfect solution but it requires considerable tunnel mods along with seat modifications as well as a fabricated trans mounting arrangement.

Next, the transmissions that more or less fit the tunnel: I spoke with the Syracuse Muncie folks (the company that actually builds the new Super Muncies and all of the parts for them). They were very reluctant to actually sell me one, based upon the engine and car specifications. Next I tried to contact Jerico. The original designer and manufacturer of Jerico was an old acquaintance of mine (sadly Jerry Hemmingson passed away a few years back). In truth the new owners of Jerico have placed the company into a place where it may not exist in the future. So then I called Craig Liberty (Liberty Transmissions). Liberty five speeds are the only gearbox used in NHRA Pro stock today. I asked Craig about a modified TKX. He should know because his company modifies and sells them for bigger power applications. When I told him the specs of Jane, he actually laughed at me. Bottom line here is the case isn’t sufficiently strong. I’d be driving over the transmission (pieces). Two good options from Liberty are Craig’s in house clutch type five speeds, but they’ll be noisy and perhaps not much fun on the street. They also require a custom trans crossmember. Next is G Force. They offer four and five speeds. The four speed 101A pretty much bolts in, and as Big Gearhead has pointed out, even with a road race slider, there are some compromises on the street.

Bottom line here though (at least for me) was the only reasonable option was to use the 101A if I decided to use a stick. Now all of you know why the car was completed with a Turbo 400. The problem with any big power street car with an automatic is that it is next to impossible to get enough converter in the car and still have it streetable. And those aren’t only my observations. My old racing partner Mike Pustelny (and the guy who actually designed, prototyped and built the chassis components -parts- for the modern Cobra Jet Mustangs, the Drag Pack Challenger and the five and six gen COPO Camaros) echoed my statement on converters. . Add a reverse pattern valve body with a trans brake and “enough” converter to Nova Jane there would likely be no talk about stick shift transmissions. L-O-L . But streetable modified cars are full of compromises and the Nova I built is certainly no exception.

With all of that said, it’s not my car anymore. It Tim’s. And I’m absolutely positive he can select the best transmission for his needs and desires. Thanks for the opportunity to add my two cents. Wayne