Well Matt without all your great ideas it could sound like pooh...

But you just make things so much easier for us newbies. Just like your help with your papers you write. Thanks again Matt.

 

ok..First off, see all that other junk that has nothing to do with the Vette?? get a little shed and stick in there. You'll need the room for parts and tools, besides you won't have time to use it anymore anyway.

Next build a bench on the wall so you don't have to bend over working on stuff on the floor.

Also some eye candy is good for the shop, so stick so pictures of Vettes you admire up and since you're wife is so wonderful, a couple of blow ups of her on the wall would be a good touch (hint: bikinis are always good morale boosters!!

Now the auto to manual could be difficult..there was a thread in the tech section in regards to one being done, and I don't think the guy was too happy. I think there is an issue with changing out the crossmember, plus wait till you see what you have to do to replace the pedal bracket with a manual bracket!! Trust me it'll make you and then !! (little hint..can you say rip apart fiberglass?)

anyway...Nice car...I got a bunch of pieces to a 75 that will one day again resemble a car...I hope!

 

0k, so youo really only need kick panel speakers in these things? the car has dash speakers now, i'mguessing it's better to just leave them disconnected then deal with removing. also, where is the best place to put the amp and how do you mount it?

back to the 5 speed, it sounds like it one of those royal pains, even with the keisler kit? as mine's an automatic car the cross member unbolts, does that halp at all? what about dropping in a 700R4????

 

Yeah, the front kick panel speakers, mounted on top of the panels instead of behind them, will get you amazing sound. The dash is a poor location for anything but tweeters and even they are a bit harsh when they fire up at the glass and bounce the frequencies into your face.

Behind the kick panel, as in with a small speaker, is also less effective because of the panel itself. Those tiny holes don't allow much to get through, compared to what doesn't get through. Think of it like talking to someone through a door.

The amp mounting is really just up to you and your personal tastes. I like, if you have one, to mount the amp on that back wall. You can bolt it right to the fiberglass or mount a carpeted board to mount the amp too.

Here are some pictures of a system I helped another member with. The amp wiring is not loomed yet, and the grills were not on when the pics were taken.

 

I agree with Matt....
Here is my system just like the last one.
More sound that you will ever need.

Amp mounted on rear wall. 10in MB Quartz sub.


Infinity Kappa series 6.5.

I also have the Ipod cable in the rear storage area.
Head unit controls the ipod.

 

not to appear thick but how do you attach the amp to the back wall in the cargo area? you just drill thru it? is there anything back there you can really mess up????

 

George, once again, you did a fantastic job with your install.

 

The gas tank, in most C3s, is about 3" - 4" from that back of that panel. It's easy to get your hand up there for bolts for an amp board if you don't have the spare tire carrier in the way. It may be harder with the carrier in place. I am not sure, as I have not done this to a C3 with one still in there.

 

Congrats on the Vette!

For information on auto-to-manual swaps, check out the forum archives. The "Search!" sticky has a lot of good info on searching. Just searching for "kiesler" should turn up a lot of info, but there are a lot of manual swaps done with parts from other companies (or junkyard bits).

 

Thats what I did.. There is about 5 to 7 in from the gas tank to the rear of the cargo area.
I did mone with the spare tire down. Then I unscrewed the sheild plate and used a 2x4 in there so i could get my hand in there to put the nuts on.

 

Congrats and welcome from York, PA. You got a heck of a gal there - she sounds like a keeper!
Not to disuade you (if thats the word) but personally before I went and put a bunch of work and money into a car I just got I'd drive it a bit and see if I liked it like it was. Drive somebody elses with the changes you list and see for yourself its worth it. From your pics it looks like the previous owner had some pride in the machine! Surely a revised seating arrangement is in order, as your lady deserves that, and perhaps some new tune stuff but for the rest I'd just wait and see. I'm still learning and evaluating based on experience as I've learned heresay is just that.
Maybe thats just a Dad talking but anyway - congrats & welcome.

 

CJ77 has a point... I kinda did things that same way. drove the ar to see what was wrong with it. Fixed things like brake lines and heater hoses. exhaust leaks. put new interior in for comport driving and a new stereo. I drive the car all the time in good weather. Been on many cruises with newer corvettes. Its been a blast drive and enjoy the car for now.

 

i drove it a lot this past year. the rear spring is bad, which i knew, it creaks. as it needs a spring and the bushings (cracked and ugly) and ball joints (still riveted in) are original. i figure it would be prudent to replace all that old stuff with a kit.

 

WOW... That is one nice looking '77. You have an awesome wife to get you something like that for your 1st anniversary. I have had 13 anniversaries and don't have anything close to that sitting in my garage.


Our kit for an auto to manual swap is complete from soup to nuts. Nothing for you to go and "source" on your own.
The hardest part of the install is mounting the pedals. The steering column will have to come down and the dash removed in order to hang the new clutch and brake pedal.
Because you are starting as an automatic, you have it easier than the factory 4 speed guys because your transmission crossmemner is removeable. Makes installing the 5 speed so much easier.
There are alot of guys on here that has done the swap and absolutely love it. Having an overdrive is king in my book, not to mention, being able to row thru the gears is just plain
I am here to answer any of your questions when it comes to the transmission swap. Durango Boy is the resident stereo guru and there are lot of guys around here that can answer your motor questions.

The biggest plus to being a member here is knowing that you are not alone. There are lots of members here who have first hand knowledge of all of the mods you mentioned(as well as the ones you haven't even thought of yet ).

Richard
Tech Support
Keisler Engineering

 

how did you secure the subwoffer enclosure to the floor?

 

The safest way is also the most tricky. I like the method of drilling a hole in the floor, and inserting a bolt and washer from the bottom, and installing a jam nut on top in the cabin to keep the bolt up like a stud. Then, drill a hole in the bottom of the sub box to sit down on the floor over that stud. Secure the box down with a washer and nut which will hold it down secure, and then install the sub. This means the only way to get the box in or out is to remove the sub.

The next easiest but effective method is a strap of some kind.

 

Im using the alpine 9881 from best buy for 175.00 and 30 for the ipod cable.,