I've already installed the engine and tranny into my car. The question I have is for those with factory style consoles. Which console did you use: manual or auto and how did it fit. I have one of each right now and neither one fits perfect. They both have their issues. If anyone has any pics of how they fit their console I would be eternally grateful. BTW the consoles are the later(?) style not the early 2nd Gen consoles if that helps. I had a 4th Gen console but didn't want to deal with the emergency brake handle. I've already spent too much time on this project. It's time to DRIVE it.

Thanks,

Bryan

Auto console will fit the best. Stick should come up through the front half of the hole.

This is how it originally looked-

http://home.cfl.rr.com/todd80z28/car_image/Stick.jpg

I never did like this too much, due to the fact that I had to cut the lip off the console, and the stick base would still barely touch the console in 2nd (to the left) and 3rd (straight up).

Note the lip cut off-

http://home.cfl.rr.com/todd80z28/car_image/Move_Stick_Back.jpg

You can see my solution. I installed a Hurst Billet Plus shifter (me and the stock shifter didn't get along on the 2-3 shift, anyway;) ), and used a 2" piece of 1/8" steel bar stock to move the stick back 2".

Finished product-

http://home.cfl.rr.com/todd80z28/car_image/New_Console_Plate.jpg

The 2" bar stock solution might be tougher with the factory stick rod, because of the way it bolts to the trans shifter.

Hope that helps.

Todd

PERFECT!! Yours turned out great. That is exactly what I needed to know. Luckily I have an aftermarket shifter already. Now to get back to work.
Thanks!
Bryan

Todd, the "after" looks WAY better than the "before" IMO. Nice work!

Thanks! Glad to help when I can.

BTW, that switch in the "after" shot is for the reverse lockout. I would recommend that you NOT take that solenoid out. The trans will move to reverse fairly easily with the car rolling forward (there's a slight grind, but it is slight). With no power ever to the solenoid, you have to push pretty hard to the right to get it to go in. By wiring up that switch, I flip it, and slide right over and into reverse. I flip it back once I'm rolling, and no absent-minded shifts to R instead of 5th.:)

Thanks! Glad to help when I can.

BTW, that switch in the "after" shot is for the reverse lockout. I would recommend that you NOT take that solenoid out. The trans will move to reverse fairly easily with the car rolling forward (there's a slight grind, but it is slight). With no power ever to the solenoid, you have to push pretty hard to the right to get it to go in. By wiring up that switch, I flip it, and slide right over and into reverse. I flip it back once I'm rolling, and no absent-minded shifts to R instead of 5th.:)


Now that sounds like a funny story..................

Now that sounds like a funny story..................Other than laughing at me 'cause I can't drive stick, not really.:)

I have three different stick cars. Each one has a totally different feel in the throw of the stick, and the feel of the clutch. I drive the Honda most often, and the side-side throw is about twice what the Z28 is. The TL is short-throw all around. The front-back row on the Z is bigger than the other two. So, occasionally, I've been known to bump reverse when going to 5th, if I forget to turn the lockout solenoid switch off.:confused:

last time i drove my v8 s10 with an aftermarket t56, i flat out couldn't find reverse!! - as in, thought it was over and down, not over and up...i'm pushing and cussing and going htf did i break the tranny given it worked last time i drove it....i laughed my ass off at myself the next day when i remembered reverse isn't where i thought it was.
todd, what'd you do for a crossmember?
where's bristow? - i'm up in MD.
thanks
mike

You all should have drove the 1977 Dodge Aspen, 4 door, 4 speed in the floor, slant six car I took my drivers test in when I was 16. I hope someone remembers these cars. To get the car in reverse, you had to have it in the nuetral area between first and second and pull up on the stick and then to the first gear position!
I remember it well. I thought I had it in reverse and it was actually in first. I let out on the clutch and hit a parking meter on my driving test! The MHP still passed me on the test though! :o

Other than laughing at me 'cause I can't drive stick, not really.:)

I have three different stick cars. Each one has a totally different feel in the throw of the stick, and the feel of the clutch. I drive the Honda most often, and the side-side throw is about twice what the Z28 is. The TL is short-throw all around. The front-back row on the Z is bigger than the other two. So, occasionally, I've been known to bump reverse when going to 5th, if I forget to turn the lockout solenoid switch off.:confused:


Not quite what I thought we were going to get. I was expecting a spinning off the freeway, but no one got hurt type story.

It took me hours once to find reverse in a VW squareback when I was in high school. I had to ask a girl :screwup:

It took me hours once to find reverse in a VW squareback when I was in high school. I had to ask a girl :screwup:

Man, you're just inching ever closer to sitting at that "special" table at the Camaro run next month... ;)

Todd, how did u make that console insert? i am going to have the console problem here in about 5 months.

thanks

I was thinking of wiring my reverse lockout into the brake lights, so all I'd have to do is touch the brake pedal to go in. And how many times would you really be on the brakes shifting into 5th? I always let off the brakes when I downshift and braking on the upshift is pretty much pointless... And I think habit already has me on the brake any time I go to shift into R.

Kik start, my dad broke the plastic retaining ring for my leather shift boot when he tried to put my 4spd in R because he didnt pull up on the handle.