4 Speed
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
That depends a lot upon how well you plan the swap and whether you have all the hardware needed to do it in one shot. It also depends on whether you can make some of your own brackets/hardware or whether you have to buy a kit to get that done.
Your best 'friend' is good planning: knowing exactly what you will have to do...down to the last bolt...and the sequencing of doing the work. Just consider all the 'peripheral' issues that need to be done: driveshaft differences? speedo cable change? speedo gear change in new tranny? all the clutch pedal and linkage alterations? If you have all of that figured out and know exactly what you need to do for that change, it's still a PITA because of the pedal changes. But planning will make it go a lot easier. And who cares about cost? If that's what you want in your car...do it. Or sell that one and buy what you really want.
Your best 'friend' is good planning: knowing exactly what you will have to do...down to the last bolt...and the sequencing of doing the work. Just consider all the 'peripheral' issues that need to be done: driveshaft differences? speedo cable change? speedo gear change in new tranny? all the clutch pedal and linkage alterations? If you have all of that figured out and know exactly what you need to do for that change, it's still a PITA because of the pedal changes. But planning will make it go a lot easier. And who cares about cost? If that's what you want in your car...do it. Or sell that one and buy what you really want.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
I agree with 7T1; know what you're doing before starting the job. Purchase the '78 assembly instruction manual (AIM) and compare the factory installations of each. Swapping is more involved than you might think.
Terrorizing Orange Cones
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 17
From: Northern CO
Good advice.
Every situation is different though many basics are the same. Your planning should take into consideration the "while-I'm-at-it" routine, too. The project can easily cascade into a full-blown frame-off without thinking about all the variables involved. It's happened for less reasons than yours.
Good Luck and keep us posted what you choose to do.
Every situation is different though many basics are the same. Your planning should take into consideration the "while-I'm-at-it" routine, too. The project can easily cascade into a full-blown frame-off without thinking about all the variables involved. It's happened for less reasons than yours.
Good Luck and keep us posted what you choose to do.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 297
Likes: 3
4 speed changover from automatic
I've done the switch twice, on a 73 and a 80. Fairly easy to do, just collect all the parts you will need. Nothing really complicated, the pedal switch is not as hard as some say, in my opinion. A friend did this switch on a 73 and bought all the parts from one person on e-bay for $1000, including the 4 speed muncie trans. It will probably cost you more unless you can find some deals on the parts. I think it is a fun project, go for it if you have the time, money and mechanical ability. Good luck!
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 57
From: Mundelein Illinois
Not sure of where you live, but if your in the snow belt, you have a good six weeks to get it done. Got 12" of snow today, so no vettes on the street for a while.
Start today, good luck!
Start today, good luck!
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 688
Likes: 1
From: Stevens Point WI
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 30
From: Oak Harbor WA
Personally if you are going to go through all that trouble and expense then do it right and get at least a 5 spd. You can then add better gearing to the car to really improve the overall driving experience.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 369
Likes: 1
From: Rockford TN
Exactly right and good advice. We hear stories like this all the time. Guys try to save some cash (a good thing) and go with a Muncie, Saginaw or BW 4 speed instead. Things are fun for a while until the desire for an overdrive hits.
You`re on the right track though. Do your research and compare costs, there`s lots of info to be had here on the forum.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,664
Likes: 162
From: columbia city in
i would find a corvette junk yard that has a complete 4 speed set up that will work for your year .buy the complete set up .that way you have everything and trade back all the parts you dont need .i do like the 5 speed overdrive ,if its in the budget.
