Bowler Clutch pedal?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

P

plugugly

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2023
Posts
115
Reaction score
55
Location
rocklin, ca
First Name
Damon
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
blazer
Engine Size
6.2 diesel
anyone have experience with it? My teenager really wants a nv4500 with the LS we are putting in, and as you all know, the factory hydro/hydro pedals are a bit of a unicorn anymore. If and when you do find them, they are 4-500 dollars.

If the bowler is a decent functioning option, it may be worth it.

Kids K5 is an 87 with a 6.2 currently.

bowler pedal
 
R

Ricko1966

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2017
Posts
5,385
Reaction score
8,588
Location
kansas
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
@SquareRoot has a pedal assembly for 350.00. I think @Frankenchevy is about to have one for 349.95 You can use factory Z bar pedal assembly if you use a wilwood master at the speedometer hole location,make a pushrod and mounting block @bluex did a write up on that.
 
squaredeal91

squaredeal91

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2023
Posts
2,503
Reaction score
4,503
Location
Cave junction Oregon
First Name
Greg bush
Truck Year
1991 SB
Truck Model
K30
Engine Size
5.9 Cummins 12 valve
Could a guy modify the linkage pedal for hydraulic and have master under floor with remote reservoir on firewall? Maybe I should dig out my hydraulic and mechanical pedals and look at them side by side for comparison.
I did this on a mechanical bell housing to use hydraulic with it.
 

Attachments

  • 20240914_172154.jpg
    20240914_172154.jpg
    122.6 KB · Views: 14
  • 20240914_172208.jpg
    20240914_172208.jpg
    134 KB · Views: 14
  • 20240914_172232.jpg
    20240914_172232.jpg
    98.5 KB · Views: 15
  • 20240914_172238.jpg
    20240914_172238.jpg
    132.1 KB · Views: 27
  • 20240914_172244.jpg
    20240914_172244.jpg
    156.7 KB · Views: 13
P

plugugly

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2023
Posts
115
Reaction score
55
Location
rocklin, ca
First Name
Damon
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
blazer
Engine Size
6.2 diesel
thanks. Spoke to square root today, and he said he did not hvae one. Ill check with frankenchevy.

Id actually prefer to use a wilwood master. I was looking at the bowler page and they had a master kit, super expensive, with an agled bracket. looks like a stock master has an angled mount as well, ill have to find the writeup bluex did. I like bolt on, but not afraid to fab something up if I have to.
 
R

Ricko1966

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2017
Posts
5,385
Reaction score
8,588
Location
kansas
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
squaredeal91 said:
Could a guy modify the linkage pedal for hydraulic and have master under floor with remote reservoir on firewall? Maybe I should dig out my hydraulic and mechanical pedals and look at them side by side for comparison.
I did this on a mechanical bell housing to use hydraulic with it.
Click to expand...
@bluex did a write up using a master at the speedometer hole location using factory manual pedals,and minimal mods.

NV3500 swap

This is how I went about installing a 96/97 S10 NV3500 into my C10, this way worked for me and will probably be a little different if you use an older or newer transmission. I would stick with 96 and up though as they are the strongest versions of them. Parts list: Purchased through Rock...
www.gmsquarebody.com www.gmsquarebody.com
 
R

Ricko1966

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2017
Posts
5,385
Reaction score
8,588
Location
kansas
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
plugugly said:
thanks. Spoke to square root today, and he said he did not hvae one. Ill check with frankenchevy.

Id actually prefer to use a wilwood master. I was looking at the bowler page and they had a master kit, super expensive, with an agled bracket. looks like a stock master has an angled mount as well, ill have to find the writeup bluex did. I like bolt on, but not afraid to fab something up if I have to.
Click to expand...

NV3500 swap

This is how I went about installing a 96/97 S10 NV3500 into my C10, this way worked for me and will probably be a little different if you use an older or newer transmission. I would stick with 96 and up though as they are the strongest versions of them. Parts list: Purchased through Rock...
www.gmsquarebody.com www.gmsquarebody.com
 
bluex

bluex

Full Access Member
Joined
May 9, 2013
Posts
1,969
Reaction score
2,568
Location
Spartanburg SC
First Name
Paul
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C15
Engine Size
350
Any questions just ask, the NV4500 is not a sporty trans at all though. Tough yes but not quick shifting sport car stuff at all. Just fyi...
 
Frankenchevy

Frankenchevy

Proverbs 16:18
Joined
Jan 3, 2018
Posts
6,076
Reaction score
7,743
Location
USA
First Name
Jeremy
Truck Year
Square
Truck Model
CUCV
Engine Size
Small
Yes the nv4500 is terribly slow and clunky if you compare it to a manual trans in an average car. Great truck trans for strength, just not a “fun” transmission. This is the reason I’m pulling mine out.

I have the 6 speed variant (nv5600) in one of my Cummins, makes more sense in that truck for me. In a little squarebody that I’m not trying to squeeze every ounce of efficiency and reliability out of, I’m going back to an auto.
 
SquareRoot

SquareRoot

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2017
Posts
4,187
Reaction score
8,003
Location
Arizona
First Name
Mike
Truck Year
85
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
The 4500 is like Mike Tyson in silk panties. Tough, smooth, but definitely on the slow side.
 
P

plugugly

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2023
Posts
115
Reaction score
55
Location
rocklin, ca
First Name
Damon
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
blazer
Engine Size
6.2 diesel
i had a zf in a fullsize bronco. Really liked it. The 4500 is really pretty similar, and teh slow shifting will be perfect for the teenager.

Pedals are the issue holding me up right now
 
P

plugugly

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2023
Posts
115
Reaction score
55
Location
rocklin, ca
First Name
Damon
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
blazer
Engine Size
6.2 diesel
Ricko1966 said:
@SquareRoot has a pedal assembly for 350.00. I think @Frankenchevy is about to have one for 349.95 You can use factory Z bar pedal assembly if you use a wilwood master at the speedometer hole location,make a pushrod and mounting block @bluex did a write up on that.
Click to expand...
sent blueox a message regarding this, but maybe you know as well.

I need hydro/hydro for the 87. I can find a manual assembly locally from an 81. Are the brake pedals swappable between seemblies so all I would have to do is swap the foot pads and not dick around with pedal ratio, etc?

Id actaully prefer to use a standard wilwood master with no fancy pants brackets like bowler makes, or old reman units for the stock setup. I plan to run a GPS speedo with the LS/4500 swap anyway.
 
R

Ricko1966

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2017
Posts
5,385
Reaction score
8,588
Location
kansas
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
plugugly said:
sent blueox a message regarding this, but maybe you know as well.

I need hydro/hydro for the 87. I can find a manual assembly locally from an 81. Are the brake pedals swappable between seemblies so all I would have to do is swap the foot pads and not dick around with pedal ratio, etc?

Id actaully prefer to use a standard wilwood master with no fancy pants brackets like bowler makes, or old reman units for the stock setup. I plan to run a GPS speedo with the LS/4500 swap anyway.
Click to expand...
Post 6 I put a link to bluex write up on the wildwood to manual pedals. As for swapping pedals to your bracket, I couldn't tell you for positive, on a GM A body it's that simple,I bet your truck is too, I'd sure study it real good,but I'd bet it will come apart in the truck. As for pedal ratios,that's not a big deal, but the ratio does change between vacuum brake and hydro boost, I would also bet there's a change from manual as well. All you have to do is change where the pushrod attaches to the pedal,usually as simple as drilling a hole. Pedal ratio best I can explain it look at a teeter totter when it's all the way up then all the way down at the furthest part from the pivot there might be 5 foot of up and down movement, 1/2 way between the pivot and the end that same up and down movement might only be 2 foot. Same with your pedals, the further you get from the pivot,the more the pushrod moves in and out.
 
Last edited:
Z

Zelph

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 10, 2022
Posts
112
Reaction score
196
Location
Nevada
First Name
David
Truck Year
1989
Truck Model
K5
Engine Size
350 TBI
The bowler kit is a nice piece. You won’t have buyers remorse if that’s the route you choose. Being in Rocklin and your proximity to the Sierra with all the trails,I get the appeal of the nv4500.
 
P

plugugly

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2023
Posts
115
Reaction score
55
Location
rocklin, ca
First Name
Damon
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
blazer
Engine Size
6.2 diesel
Ricko1966 said:
Post 6 I put a link to bluex write up on the wildwood to manual pedals. As for swapping pedals to your bracket, I couldn't tell you for positive, on a GM A body it's that simple,I bet your truck is too, I'd sure study it real good,but I'd bet it will come apart in the truck. As for pedal ratios,that's not a big deal, but the ratio does change between vacuum brake and hydro boost, I would also bet there's a change from manual as well. All you have to do is change where the pushrod attaches to the pedal,usually as simple as drilling a hole. Pedal ratio best I can explain it look at a teeter totter when it's all the way up then all the way down at the furthest part from the pivot there might be 5 foot of up and down movement, 1/2 way between the pivot and the end that same up and down movement might only be 2 foot. Same with your pedals, the further you get from the pivot,the more the pushrod moves in and out.
Click to expand...
thnks. I understand pedal ratio pretty well. Ive had some setups that worked realy well, and others that are super squishy. Learned about ratio the hard way. Thats why I was hoping to be able to take my pedal arm, and throw it on the 81 bracket, then all I have to do is fab up the MC mount, which looks pretty easy peasy
 
P

plugugly

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2023
Posts
115
Reaction score
55
Location
rocklin, ca
First Name
Damon
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
blazer
Engine Size
6.2 diesel
Zelph said:
The bowler kit is a nice piece. You won’t have buyers remorse if that’s the route you choose. Being in Rocklin and your proximity to the Sierra with all the trails,I get the appeal of the nv4500.
Click to expand...
yes sir, fordyce and rubicon are just a stones throw, however hoping my son doesnt want to beat on this too much. He can take my car if he wants to really go wheeling.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

P
clutch pedal assembly- 87 hydro
Replies
11
Views
755
Mr Clean
Mr Clean
83Burban
Hydro Clutch Pedal Assembly...from an S10?
2 3
Replies
41
Views
2K
83Burban
83Burban
D
Clutch pedal not fully returning
Replies
7
Views
2K
RustyPile
R
bucket
NV3500 Clutch Recommendations
Replies
6
Views
1K
bucket
bucket
iamtherealJayy
Brand new clutch fork moves up and down
Replies
10
Views
2K
iamtherealJayy
iamtherealJayy

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
44,081
Posts
948,995
Members
36,158
Latest member
nobodyawesome
Top