www.86garage.com

Ok, so I've run into a slight problem and just want to see if anybody has gone through this and if so, what was the solution.

I have an SR-5 Auto and am converting it (mechanical only) to a 5-speed GT-S. What really surprised me is the fact that the holes for the clutch master cylinder were already pre-drilled. Now the clutch pedal bracket has a stud and a hole for the clutch M/C. There is a 3rd hole on the top of the bracket which is for the upper bolt that fastens the bracket to the chassis.

My question is, is there a small bracket that's welded to the under cowl sheet metal or does the pedal bracket fasten directly to cowl sheet metal? It seems I am lacking a necessary bracket that an auto chassis would not have because of the lack of a clutch pedal. Any info is greatly appreciated.

EDIT: Now after looking at it, the holes for the M/C might have been created by the last owner. So another question is, do the auto chassis' come the firewall pre-drilled for the M/C?

do you have any pics? or can you take any of this?

Yeah, I'll take some tomorrow, er today.

Just as I suspected, there is a small support bracket that is missing. Now I have to fabricate one from scratch OR find a 5 speed 86 and drill that little bracket from the chassis.

I also found out that the clutch master cylinder holes in the bulkhead are pre-drilled from the factory. Yay!

That's the gap that exists between the lower cowl and the clutch pedal bracket. From what I understand, a few people have ran into this issue. They took action as they saw fit.

i see well honestly i haven't had to do anything like this on my car b/c it was already manual tranny but i'll talk to a few friends and see if i can help you out

I got on Clug4AG and found a statement made by Andrew aka Assassin10000 in regards to an auto to manual swap. He stated that he remembers that the auto chassis' were lacking a bracket as I had suspected.

Yep.

I'd probably make a an aluminum bracket and use 3-4 self tapping screws above into the 'cowl' and a drill a hole to use a bolt/nut for the clutch pedal.

It's just to keep things from flexing around IIRC

Otherwise if my friend had time I'd have him weld one on.

Andrew

I've partially solved the issue. I actually took the old mangled trunk lid that came with the car and cut a 1" x 6" section from the skin. I then drilled a 13mm hole in the center and welded a M8x1.25mm nut on the back side. I've taken a mold of the underside of the cowl using expansion foam. With this I'll have the contour of the cowl. This is where I'm at so far. I'll Then make a working mold of the original mold. Now I have an exact replica of the cowl under side. With this I can shape the bracket to ensure the bracket sits flush with the panel. Then I'll simply tack it to the chassis and follow up with a solid TIG pass of I can. Upside down TIG FTL!!! I have a feeling I'm going to just MIG it because the upside down TIG is a biatch and I like my unburned eyes and pretty face. :D

EDIT: I just looked at what positions I have to TIG. I'm just gonna MIG it.

pics

Yup, just as you suspected... there is a bracket spot welded in.

Thanks a bunch for the photo. Helps immensly

Now after some progress, seems my transmission in a tad bit foward. I'm re-using the 4A-C engine mounts. Should I be using 4A-GE engine mounts? Or does this have to do with the fact that my car was auto and is now 5 speed? Is there a difference in motor mounts between auto and manual or between DX / SR-5 to GT-S? I did notice that there were 3 sets (6 total) of threaded holes where the tranny mount attaches to the chassis. I presume this is to accomidate for different engine / tranny combos?

On a side note, I just located a junked SR-5 and I'll be getting all the much needed nick-nacks from it.