azmusclecar

I'm looking at a C2 with a 3 speed manual transmission. If the car checks out, would you buy the car and put an M20 in it?
It's a 327-300 HP nice quality car only factor is the 3 speed. I found a muncie m20 for between 750-1000.
How much should I knock off the sale price for the 3 speed?
I like the car and all it is is a fun driver. I'm surprised it hasn't been changed out but it is a numbers matching car.

Just looking for insight..........................thanks
AZ

Nowhere Man

Why do you need a 4th gear. I drive 4 speeds like 3 speeds anyhow? Unless your into racing 3 speed will drive just fine.

IMHO if was going to swap out a trans it sure wouldn't be just anther one with a final gear of 1 to 1. I go for one with a over drive

azmusclecar

My son said he will disown me if I leave it a 3 speed......:

I told him I'm not his father.............

Thanks for your input..............makes me think.........

I know of a tremec for @ $1000 but I have read some very stressful installs..............

Nowhere Man

Be different and leave it a 3 speed. You just don't see them to often

SDVette

My 61 is a 3-speed (original trans). I had originally thought about swapping it for a 4-speed, but it has grown on me! The only "issues" are no syncro in 1st, and freeway speeds.

I've learned to heal-toe double clutch and rev match when needed - that's actually fun!

And I don't typically drive long distances at freeway speeds (75 mph+), so that's not a problem for me.

I've got a non-original 350 LT-1 motor, so it's responsive in a wide range of RPMs.. Probably helps.

Westlotorn

A clean no rust car is hard to find, the tranny of choice is a very easy change if you don't like a 3 speed. I too would change to a 5 speed if you want more gears. It would sure help long freeway drives for both MPG and your comfort. An engine spinning 3,000 RPM is much noisier than one spinning 2,200 at 70 MPH. I have a T5 waiting in my garage for install and I am looking forward to overdrive currently with 3.70 gears.

MikeM

I have an original 3 speed car. I bought a new 1/4 console shift plate, a four speed linkage and have had a number of four speeds laying around since I purchased that car in 1972.

For some reason, I just never got around to changing it.

Buy the car for the BODY/PAINT quality. The rest of it is easy and cheap to change to what you want.

59BlueSilver

My car also came with the original 3-speed and I swapped it for a BW T10. Wouldn't go back, the 4-speed is so much more fun!

azmusclecar

a lot of good thoughts.....I haven't had a manual 3 speed since 1972....i hope I remember how to use it.....................

champs65

1:1 is still 1:1 whether its a three speed or a Muncie 4 speed..

Bowlerdude

I bought a 67 factory a/c coupe from the original owner back in the early 80's. It had it's original full synchro 3 speed and drove great and I never missed having a 4 speed..the only difference is you shift one less time.

If the car you are looking at is a nice example that checks out good, I wouldn't let it having a 3 speed stop me from buying it. I say this from personal experience. ymmv

Revfan

I'm with the guys that say "leave it like it is".

Depends on the ask for the car really. I would hope that the 3-speed 300horse car would have less wear and tear on it, and have been better taken care of over the years. So the condition may outweigh any slight devaluation of a 3-speed.

That being said, most folks don't set out to buy a 3-speed car when they are working up their "dream sheet" for the car they want.... but, on the other hand, very few folks set out to buy the best car they can find for the money they have to spend...

So, if two Driver Quality cars were sitting side by side, and were exactly the same, year, color, condition, options... EXCEPT that one was a 3 Speed, and one was a 4 speed....

FOR ME...
If the 4-Speed had a $44K ask, The 3-speed would have to $36-8Kish to make me go that way. So that comes out to about 10-15%. But, remember a hit at buying time usually means a hit at selling time as well....

But you probably aren't comparing two exactly the same cars, you are looking at ONE car that is available to you KNOW. My guess is, if this car checks out in all other areas (solid frame, birdcage etc etc) and you were to buy it, you would have a lot of fun with it as is. I certainly wouldn't change anything until you have had it for a season. Offer a price that you could live with, so that down the road you won't be kicking yourself for not buying "the 4-speed".

If you absolutely cannot live with a 3-speed... then swap it for a modern 5 speed.

azmusclecar

thanks for the insight...I think the resell factor was in the back of my mind....never thought about the less abuse factor. Good points...............and maybe I won't even miss the extra gear.

Revfan

The general populace doesn't know the difference between a 61 and 66... let alone you having a 3-speed vs 4-speed.

I read something here in a thread that, "the kids and adults that I give a ride to don't seem to care whether the numbers are matching or not".

I think the same will apply to your 3-speed.

The only "trouble" you might run into, is the Vette know-it-all folks. But that is easy to remedy. Just have something ready to say like:
"Yeah I know... but I've been looking for a car like this for a couple years, and frankly, Big Block 4-speeds were just so run-run-of-the mill. I mean, who is out there faking 300 horse 3-speeds? This baby is the REAL DEAL!"

ChattanoogaJSB

Agreed with the posts saying the two transmissions both with a 1:1 final drive really doesn't matter a lot on the open road, just a bit on the twisties. I'd definitely rather do a more troublesome 5-speed swap than replace a 3 for a 4- speed...

dahogan

vetteLT193

Before I bought my car I wouldn't have wanted a 3 speed. I now realize the 4 speed vs 3 speed is whatever. I can start out in 2nd gear and go straight to 4th. cruise in 3rd through my neighborhood. There just isn't that much difference in any of the gears

DandyDon

Another idea is to check out Autogear (www.autogear.com). They have "modified" Muncie M20s where third gear is 1:1 like the current tranny and fourth gear is overdriven (.68 I think).

This Muncie fits easier than a 5 speed and is a lot cheaper----

DandyDon

ChattanoogaJSB

.net instead of .com I see. Interesting!

6T5RUSH

azmusclecar,

BUY IT!! Then make the jump from a 3 to a 5 speed.

Since 2012, I've logged 10K miles on my 5 speed...never looked back. Just increased the smiles on my face. Good point on others here saying when you "throw the hook out", inviting folks/kids to sit behind the wheel or give them a ride, they don't give a hoot about whether it's a 3, 4, 5 or 6 speed. You've just planted a seed

Pics of my 5 speed





Final bench assembly of my SS700 close ratio 5 speed at Keisler, November, 2012.



Installed view towards front of car



Installed view towards rear of car

Anyhoo, buy the car and drive her for a season, THEN decide if you want to just live with it or improve on it.

My .02.



Jim
In God We Trust!