* Novas came with various engines: The engine's size and bellhousing pattern determine which transmissions are compatible. A five-speed designed for a small-block Chevy will not fit a big-block without significant adaptation.
* Many five-speeds exist: Different manufacturers (Muncie, BorgWarner T5, Tremec, etc.) produced various five-speed transmissions with different physical dimensions, bellhousing patterns, input shaft lengths, and output shaft configurations. Some will bolt in relatively easily with a proper bellhousing adapter, while others require significant modifications to the car or the transmission itself.
To find a compatible five-speed, you need to know:
1. The engine in your Nova: (e.g., 250 inline-6, 307 small-block, 350 small-block, 396/454 big-block, etc.)
2. The specific five-speed transmission you are considering: (Make, model, and year)
With this information, you can research whether an adapter is available or if major modifications would be necessary. Online forums dedicated to classic Chevy Novas are a great resource for finding information about specific swaps that have been done successfully.
