Well, to put in the manual transmission, Nova's had both manual and auto's, so, all you gots to do is hang the clutch pedal after replacing the trans with a manual, the bell housing has to be changed also. You have to hook up the clutch (obviously). A good manual trans is a 4spd Muncie from any 4spd 1st gen or 2nd gen Camero. As for your emmisions failing, if your cam is stock, I don't think they can make you change it although the Edlebrock performer is a good budjet cam. Your car shouldent have emmisions testing anyway, I mean you can have it tested but, I don't think they can fail your inspection for this but, I could be wrong on this.