Mopar 4 speeds

Steve Chapman · Post by **Steve Chapman** » Fri Mar 14, 14 9:58 am

Hello all, just wanted some info and opinions from those more informed, about 4 speed manual boxes. I have chance of a Coronet stateside, the car ticks all the right boxes, barring the trans. Wasn't really looking for a manual trans but this one cropped up. What they like regarding drivability, and pros and cons over an auto.

Cannonball · Post by **Cannonball** » Fri Mar 14, 14 10:05 am

Chip wrote:Hello all, just wanted some info and opinions from those more informed, about 4 speed manual boxes. I have chance of a Coronet stateside, the car ticks all the right boxes, barring the trans. Wasn't really looking for a manual trans but this one cropped up. What they like regarding drivability, and pros and cons over an auto.

if your sub 40 and fit enough you will love a muscle car 4 speed for fast driving out on the open road. in traffic they are a pain in the ass but not unbearable NOTE useless ON A DRAG STRIP,

Carl · Post by **Carl** » Fri Mar 14, 14 10:15 am

I got 4 speed and love it. Although I have just changed the rsj hurst pistol grip to a shorter gear stick to improve gear changing, the half meter long pistol grip made changing a bit of an art.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Fri Mar 14, 14 11:06 am

Ask DB how good the clutches work on a drag strip.

Blue · Post by **Blue** » Fri Mar 14, 14 12:37 pm

4 speeds are an aquired taste, really they make no sense these days to be honest. They are not much fun in traffic, and are somewhat agricultural in operation. Unless you've driven one before and loved it, I'd say get an auto. Mind you, 4 speed parts sell for good money so cost wise you'd be covered in converting to auto if you couldn't get on with it.

Carl · Post by **Carl** » Fri Mar 14, 14 1:29 pm

Dave wrote:Ask DB how good the clutches work on a drag strip.

Assuming you want to drag it. Mine was okay on the strip it was the bloody rocker lock nuts coming lose that let me down, but I have a Dual Friction Clutch in it.

Dave999 · Post by **Dave999** » Fri Mar 14, 14 1:40 pm

never driven a A-833 equipped car

but my dinky little 4 speed box in an A body no problemo bit of engine braking and keeping off the clutch in a fast stop also keeps the car streight and the wheels rolling rather than locked

not useful for drag strip, i bog on the line or burn the clutch or tyres due to complete lck of skill, i only use 1-3 4 doesn't get a look in until Just after the line .... but handy for most everything else.

i have no problem in traffic. in first gear idle rpm has enough torque to pull away and drag the car along at marching pace. only need to touch the gas if i want to get into second.

clutch leg shakes can be avoided with a diaphragm clutch and removal of the over centre spring under the dash.

any line lock you put in will have to lock the front brakes on for burnouts

stand on peddle
line lock the front ON

pointless locking the back out you don't have 3 feet, the Brake and accelerator peddles are not at the right heights for heal-toe operation

dave

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Fri Mar 14, 14 1:47 pm

Make sure it has a Hurst shifter and not chrysler's in house unit. Smashing through a 4 speed Muscle car has to be done before you die but the novelty will wear off. A light diaphragm clutch will ease the leg muscles.

Les Szabo · Post by **Les Szabo** » Fri Mar 14, 14 1:47 pm

Cannonball wrote:
Chip wrote:Hello all, just wanted some info and opinions from those more informed, about 4 speed manual boxes. I have chance of a Coronet stateside, the car ticks all the right boxes, barring the trans. Wasn't really looking for a manual trans but this one cropped up. What they like regarding drivability, and pros and cons over an auto.
if your sub 40 and fit enough you will love a muscle car 4 speed for fast driving out on the open road. in traffic they are a pain in the ass but not unbearable NOTE useless ON A DRAG STRIP,

Thats just about spot on!......loved my Mustang and Brown '71 Cuda with 4 speed, but I had long hair then and traffic was minimal to what it is today.......can be ok at the strip, but a vertical gate shifter and a top notch $$$$ clutch would be best to do any good, along with a truck to transport you home!!....hard on parts if you wanna go quick!!

You can have the best of both if you put together a well built Manual shift Auto box, still fun on the road, will last better than a std box and be quick at the track.

Les

Dave81 · Post by **Dave81** » Fri Mar 14, 14 1:52 pm

I'd bring it over and live with it for 12 months.........As Blue says they don't seem to hang about when thrown up for sale!!

Should be able to do a trade if you want some Auto luxury!!!

JustinMFox · Post by **JustinMFox** » Fri Mar 14, 14 3:25 pm

An auto with a manual valve body is a good alternative

TW71 · Post by **TW71** » Fri Mar 14, 14 3:57 pm

Nothing to me sounds as good as a manual with a race v8 swapping gears, especially on the over run. Comes at a cost with big torque though, forget dragging it much!

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Fri Mar 14, 14 5:19 pm

It's a bolt in / bolt out job in the main.
If it is the car you want with a good shell then I would say that is much more important nowadays.

I have had 5 4 speeds and they were fun at the time, but I also agree that a Reverse Pattern Manual shift auto is almost as much fun and much easier to live with.........

PS: 4 speeds are not known as "Parts Breakers" for nothing; make sure you have a great axle and Prop shaft..........

guy whitwam · Post by **guy whitwam** » Fri Mar 14, 14 5:21 pm

Had two manuals myself ,one a '57 Chevy and the other in a 71 'runner, that had a centreforce clutch. Remember looking at that sexy pistol grip hurst shifter in the runner and thought , yes!!!!!However, living with it the novelty soon wore off.............the first big run was to Billing for a show there and got caught in traffic at Thetford then Cambridge then Huntingdon an arrival my leg was throbbing!!!!!!!!!
Love them , but not for me , best of luck with the sale , but if you don't get on with it then sell and get a manual valve body and have the best of best worlds .
Yours
GUY

drewcrane · Post by **drewcrane** » Fri Mar 14, 14 6:04 pm

I have been an auto all my life , but I did inherent a 4 speed vette,cool to drive, fun rowing through the gears , got stuck in traffic, took the back way home ,and couldent wait to get out of it , to much work

Mopar Muscle Association UK

Mopar 4 speeds

Mopar 4 speeds

Re: Mopar 4 speeds

Re: Mopar 4 speeds