I desire to make my camaro rs convertible into a clone 396 SS. To do this, I need a 12 bolt rear (likely from Moser), either a turbo 400 tranny or convert to a 5 SPEED (currently has a turbo 350), and a big block radiator. I will install big block front springs. I will also need to upgrade my tick tock tac to redline at 5500 (or 6000 for 375 hp). I've already got the engine in the car. 396, 350 hp (I think, but it has a highrise manifold (stock) and a holley 750m making me wonder just what's underneath. Any clue as to how much dough I'll have to hand over to make these changes? Any suggestions about how to proceed?

For one thing, if you're doing a "clone," the five speed (of course) doesn't really fit the picture like a Muncie. I would try to keep a Muncie & its numbers "date correct." Second: if you’re going for a "clone" blow off the Moser. Be patient & find a "date correct" original 12 bolt from another camaro. Otherwise, your plan appears to me to be moving more the direction of a "protouring" camaro than a "true" clone. I don't know what kind of numbers you have on your 396 but, they would tell you a lot about "what's underneath."
If you already have a numbers correct 396, I would say you are looking at an additional 5 grand to fix the car like your dream, more so if you go with a TKO "5 speed" & a Moser rear end, less with the turbo 400.

I guess I want the best of both worlds. Since I currently have a turbo 350, which is not numbers matching to a 396, I should go with a turbo 400 or 4 speed (muncie). I figure a 5-speed hidden underneath wouldn't be apparent to all but the purests. I appreciate your input. I'm still debating.

I think you should ask yourself, am I making a clone or not? If not, then go with the 5spd as it's very tough to beat the performance and fun-to-drive factor. If you are building a clone, then not sure why you'd care about the redline on the tach if you don't even care about authenticity of such a major component like a tranny. That's just me though - to each his own. The 5spd. is awesome - take the time to pick the right one with the right rearend gears and you'll never regret it like you may if you put a TH400. Very nice tranny - but nowhere near as fun when driving the car on the street. (I finally converted after toasting the 700R4 and makes driving the car twice as fun). I don't understand the hole trying to fool other people that you have something you don't - my advice is to just build the car how you want it and don't pretend it's something it's not. My $.02.

TKO is the way to go. Once you do that, you can rationalize using a nice 8.5 10-bolt and save cash there.

Of course it's easy for me to say, because with a six cylinder VIN, I wasn't going to fool anyone going down the clone road.

It sure is fun to row that internal linkage 5-speed compared to an old Muncie...

It puts it in perspective. Maybe I shouldn't pursue the clone thing. How much would it cost to upgrade my 10 bolt rearend to about a 3.73 posi without exchanging to a 12 bolt?

I did the muncie to TKO600 swap in my 72 nova and it looks stock but is bad a$$. I love it and would highly recommend it.

Its likely going to cost about 4 grand, but I'd love to have a 5 seed!