Adapting a Small Bore Slave for use on the Getrag. Pics and Info included. (Page 1/6)
Capt Fiero DEC 01, 04:05 PM
OK for ever and ever people have complained about the Fiero Clutch Hydraulics. Originally from the Factory, There were 3 different bores available in the slave cylinder.

The smallest was the Isuzu Slave
Next up was the Muncie Slave, which externally was almost identical to the Isuzu slave.
Then there was the Getrag Slave, which is shorter, fatter and does not use studs on the slave to mount it.

It became common practice if anyone had a 4spd Muncie they would swap on the Isuzu slave and the car would shift like butter. For whatever reason the aftermarket agreed with this swap and started using the SC37795 slave for all Isuzu and Muncie applications. Now the Getrag however used a different mounting style, different bore and different length push rod and a physically shorter slave.


I had heard of people modding the SC 37795 Isuzu slave for use on the Getrag, but after reading several threads on here, I couldn't find a single one that explained step by step how to do this. Even any rough info that I would need. So I decided to document my conversion and post up all the info I can get my hands on.

Now the prices were a wild difference.

The Isuzu 5spd / Muncie 4spd was $39 at the local Napa
The Getrag 5spd was $140 at the local Napa.

My 88GT had a small hydraulic leak in the clutch, I would loose about 2 ounces of fluid after a week of driving the car. I knew it was coming from the slave as I had peeled back the boot and found the lost fluid. This went on for months, until one day it finally gave out. I filled up the master, drove the car around the block, before I made to the store, the master was empty. About 5 clutch pushes would empty the master.


So I popped down to the local Nape and grabbed an SC37795 slave.
I pulled the Getrag slave off the car, and brought it into the garage to study the 2 of them.

1st note. Isuzu slave is longer.
2nd note Getrag slave, does not use studs in the slave.
3rd note. Getrag slave rod is shorter.
4th note. On the Getrag slave the bleeder screw and Hyd line are exactly 180 degrees apart. However the Isuzu is about 160 degrees apart. It proved not to be an issue as when mounted the bleeder screw is still at the top, its just the Hyd line that sits about 20 degrees of to one side.

You can see the physical size differences in the lower pics.




The Holes in Getrag slave are 11/32's
So remove the studs from the Isuzu slave and drill the holes out to 11/32's Drilling the cast slave is a bit of a pain, but can be done. With a simple hand drill.



Next up, note the different slave rod.
You have to use the shorter Getrag slave rod.
This images is larger than 153600 bytes. Click to view.

OK so now you have a small bore slave, that is drilled out to accept the studs on the Getrag case, and you have the shorter Getrag slave rod.

Just install, bleed the system and test it out.


The first few times I pushed it in, I went really slow and listened for any sign of binding due to the extra throw. The pedal is about 50% harder to push in as well. I did not hear any issues, so I fired up the car, pressed the pedal in, and ran through the gears. Smooth as smooth could be. I took the car for a drive, and tested release/engagement points. To shift now, you only have to go half way down from a dead stop, and if you are like me and rev match all your shifts (when done correctly you can actually shift without using the clutch at all) I only go down maybe a 1/4 of the way and it clicks through each gear perfectly.

It will take a while to get used to the much firmer pedal. I am sure once my leg gets use to it, I won't even notice the difference. The slave went on without any issues, bleed out perfectly and car drives wonderfully. Being as this slave is 1/4 the cost of the original Getrag slave, I wont ever even worry about a rebuild kit. If it starts to leak, I'll just toss it out and get a new one.

Overall, I fixed my cars shifting issue, saved myself $100 and it took me longer to write this post then it did for me to modify and install the new slave. Not a bad days work.

------------------
85GT,93 Eldorado 4.9, 5spd Dual O2 Custom Chip, Custom Exhaust. MSD Everything Capt Fiero --- My Over View Cadero Pics Yellow 88GT 5spd Full Poly Suspension, Lowered 1/2" in front, Corner Carver.

[This message has been edited by Capt Fiero (edited 12-01-2008).]

KurtAKX DEC 01, 04:35 PM
Plus for you. (+)
MetroMatt DEC 01, 04:50 PM
I also plussed you.

This slave, the isuzu one, is that for 5 speed trannys? cause i was having a ***** of a time finding it anywhere else, but napa, for 31 something and some tax. and i was skeptical it was the right one, cause it was so cheap compared to the wrong ones i paid 70+ dollars for at advance. i am fairly sure i cant reuse my old slave and i'm hoping this one that comes in tomorrow is correct.
Will DEC 01, 05:01 PM
Those cast iron slaves are usually crap and die quickly due to porosity in the castings. The GM slave cylinder, at least for the 282, is a fabbed steel unit.
Capt Fiero DEC 01, 05:07 PM
Yes the 37795 is for the Isuzu 5spd.

As for the Cast verses the Steel. I would use a steel one if I could find one locally. However even if I go to a Delco dealer, they supply me with the cast one, and put it in a Delco box.

Jefrysuko DEC 01, 08:34 PM

quote
Originally posted by Will:

Those cast iron slaves are usually crap and die quickly due to porosity in the castings



I was worried about this as well and was plesently surprised with the Delco unit I got recently through MonstarParts.

I wonder if it would be possible to chrome the bore of a cast unit to smoth out any imperfections.

I just don't think they sell any steel units anymore.
Capt Fiero DEC 01, 08:49 PM
One of the things I was thinking was using an old dead Getrag slave, putting a stainless pipe inside of it, then using the MR2 Double check valve slave piston inside the stainless insert. Would take some tweaking to make it right, but I am sure it could be done. However for the time being. I am happy with what I got.

------------------
85GT,93 Eldorado 4.9, 5spd Dual O2 Custom Chip, Custom Exhaust. MSD Everything Capt Fiero --- My Over View Cadero Pics Yellow 88GT 5spd Full Poly Suspension, Lowered 1/2" in front, Corner Carver.

falcon_ca DEC 01, 10:20 PM
The prices in the first post are they US or CDN dollars ?

------------------
""I'm not driving too fast, . . . I'm just flying too low."
Restoration pictures
VirtualShowCar
4.9 ongoing project

Capt Fiero DEC 01, 10:30 PM
Canadian dollars.
JazzMan DEC 02, 09:35 AM
Rockauto, prices from $27.79 to 75.79: http://www.rockauto.com/cat...249095,parttype,2044

If you take the part number and go to Amazon.com you can frequently save money since Amazon generally has free shipping on orders over $25.

I, too, have been thinking about using a sleeve to reduce the Getrag bore to 13/16", that's the MR2 slave bore. It will take some precision machining I think, as I have yet to find any DOM tubing in that size range.

JazzMan